IO, Jakarta – PT Hero Supermarket, Tbk., operating through Hero Supermarket and Giant’s food business unit, has been providing donations of consumable food products to meet animal feed needs, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as an aspect of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. Hero Supermarket Head of Communication and Government Relations Diky Risbianto detailed the steps taken by Hero to support wildlife conservation in Taman Safari Indonesia following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is also suffered by zoo managers in Indonesia.
The collaboration between Hero Group and Taman Safari Indonesia will run for one year, and there is a possibility it will be extended or developed into a broader form, such as an employee voluntary program at Taman Safari Indonesia. “We hope that the CSR program can help ease the operational burden of Taman Safari Indonesia, a core concern of which is to meet the nutritional needs of animals to keep them healthy,” said Diky.
In line with the application of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) rules, the zoo facilities have been officially closed temporarily to the public, in order to break the chain of the COVID-19 pandemic. Closure means no revenue from the sale of entrance tickets; this results in difficulties for management in meeting operational needs, primarily for the care and feeding of animals.
The Survey of All-Indonesian Zoo Association (Perkumpulan Kebun Binatang Seluruh Indonesia- “PKBSI”) in April said that 92 percent of zoos will only be able to provide food for animals for the next month. This emergency is also felt by Taman Safari Indonesia management, as the facility has been officially closed since March 23, 2020.
Emeraldo Parengkuan, General Manager of Taman Safari Indonesia, explained that management still holds to its commitment as a conservation institution that treats and maintains the survival of endangered animals. “We welcome the initiative presented by Hero Group as the first retail company to distribute its products as a donation for animal feed. The donation is certainly very beneficial for the preservation and welfare of various animals in Taman Safari Indonesia, especially in the midst of difficult conditions like those of today.”
Furthermore, Diky assures all that the food quality factor will always be a concern. “All donations of consumable food products donated will be monitored through the stages of quality control from Hero Group and Taman Safari Indonesia to ensure that all donated products are still suitable for consumption and have good nutritional content for animals,” said Diky.
In the implementation of its CSR activities, Hero Group reliably puts forward the spirit of sustainability, for its business to control waste management of food products. Hero Group has also implemented ISO 26000, to exert a positive impact on society and the environment.
Hero Group’s participation in supporting animal conservation is in line with one of CSR’s focuses on the environment. The activity coincides with the celebration of World Environment Day which is set for every June 5.
Hero Group realizes that the effort to conserve animals is its shared obligation and that synergy is needed from various parties to overcome the difficulties in the zoo in a sustainable manner. “Through the program, Hero Group wants to inspire all parties, including other retail entrepreneurs, to participate in supporting animal conservation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” concluded Diky.