Surabaya, E. Java. State prosecutors have named the former chief executive of Surabaya Zoo as a corruption suspect over an alleged scheme involving fictitious operational expenses, including animal feed, that authorities say caused an estimated Rp 10.2 billion (about $558,659) in state losses and contributed to deteriorating conditions for the zoo's animals.

The East Java Prosecutor's Office said late Tuesday that it had designated Choirul Anwar, who served as president director of the city-owned Surabaya Zoo operator from 2016 to 2024, as a suspect following an investigation launched after a complaint filed by Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi.

I Gede Punia, the office's assistant for special crimes, said investigators found evidence that Choirul abused his authority by using the zoo's budget for unauthorized expenditures, fictitious expenses and personal interests.

According to prosecutors, Choirul allegedly instructed finance staff to disburse company funds before creating accountability reports that falsely portrayed the money as having been spent on legitimate operational activities.

Investigators estimate the alleged corruption caused state losses of around  Rp 10.2 billion, based on a preliminary audit by the East Java representative office of Indonesia's Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP). Of that amount, prosecutors allege about Rp 7.4 billion was used for the suspect's personal benefit.

Authorities said irregular cash disbursements occurred between 2023 and 2024 and were approved by company officials, including the finance director at the time.

Beyond the financial losses, prosecutors said the alleged misuse of funds directly affected the zoo's operations because money intended for animal care and maintenance was not fully used for its intended purpose.

"The facilities became poorly maintained, dirty and damaged. The animals were also affected, becoming unhealthy, thin and tending to die because they did not receive proper care," Punia told reporters, adding that one of the alleged schemes involved reducing spending on animal feed while submitting reports indicating the full budget had been used.

Investigators said they found discrepancies between reported expenditures and actual spending on feed and animal care.

Choirul has been detained for an initial 20 days at the East Java Prosecutor's Office detention facility while the investigation continues.

Surabaya Zoo is one of Indonesia's oldest and best-known zoological parks. Established in 1916 during the Dutch colonial era, it is owned by the Surabaya city government and managed through a municipally owned company.

The zoo is home to more than 2,300 animals representing around 230 species. Its collection includes Asian elephants, giraffes, lions, Sumatran tigers, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, sun bears, tapirs, anoa and babirusa, as well as Komodo dragons, king cobras, pythons, blacktip reef sharks, arapaima and numerous bird species such as Bali starlings, cassowaries, peafowl and pelicans.

Surabaya Zoo has faced international scrutiny in the past over animal welfare after a series of high-profile animal deaths more than a decade ago. Indonesian authorities later restructured its management and introduced reforms aimed at improving animal care, infrastructure and governance.