The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) and Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatrensis) represent species of Indonesian large mammals that are threatened with extinction. Law enforcement of wildlife crime is too weak, wildlife crime is not yet a conservation priority of the Government of Indonesia, and the majority of the Indonesian public are still unaware of the value of conserving our wildlife. These factors have allowed the continuance of possession, poaching and illegal trading of Indonesian protected species on a massive scale. The above conditions represent the greatest threat to the continued existence of wild Sumatran tigers, rhinos and elephants.

To prevent a catastrophe we, as representatives of concerned non-governmental organisations together with the Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation, the Advocacy Network for Tigers, Rhinos and Elephants, formed on 27th November 2001, in recognition of our common vision and mission, hereby state our position to:

1. Declare war against all forms of possession, poaching and illegal trade in tigers, rhinos and elephants in Indonesia.

2. Support government and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the global extinction of Bali tigers (Panthera tigris balica) and Javanese tigers (P. t. sondaica), and the critical condition of Javan rhinos (Rhinoceros sondaica), is not repeated with the loss of the Sumatran tigers, Sumatran rhinos and Sumatran elephants.

3. Support government and law enforcement agencies to immediately declare wildlife conservation as one of the top priorities of the government's long and short-term objectives.

4. Pressure government and law enforcement agencies to immediately develop and implement stronger and more effective laws for the conservation of natural resources in a strategic, consistent, transparent and persistent manner.

5. Pressure government, local government and law enforcement agencies to immediately forbid and prevent all forms of possession, poaching and illegal trading of Sumatran tigers, rhinos and elephants, through a concerted program of public awareness of wildlife laws, together with strategic and transparent implementation of these laws.

6. Pressure government, local government and law enforcement agencies to transparently and forcefully bring to task poachers, owners and traders of tigers, rhino and elephants and their products, in accordance with current Indonesian biodiversity conservation law.

7. Pressure government agencies to review and improve the laws and regulations for Indonesian protected species, including those related specifically to the protection of victim and witness.

8. Invite all members of the Indonesian legislative, judiciary, local government, political parties, non-governmental conservation organisations, mass media, law enforcement agencies and the general public; to take an active role in fighting all forms of possession, poaching and trading in tigers, rhinos and elephants in Indonesia.