February 13, 2020, 10:26 AM
Indonesia still has no confirmed coronavirus, or Covid-19, cases.
This despite boasting the largest population, by far, in Southeast Asia, and over two million Chinese tourists annually.
In spite of their no case status, Indonesia has been prepping for the possibility of an outbreak.
One of their earlier measures was to try and get bat, one of the rumoured possible carriers of the disease, off their menus.
One of the areas impacted by the eradication of bats off their menu was a market in Sulawesi Island.
Tomohon Extreme Market
The unassuming market is located in Tomohon, a small city with a population of about 91,000 people, in North Sulawesi.
One of the attractions there is the Tomohon traditional market, better known as the Tomohon extreme market.
Why extreme?
Here's a paragraph from a Change.org petition in 2018.
"The Extreme market in Indonesia is a place where all kinds of animals face extreme/torturous deaths. Dogs, cats, pigs, etc are skinned alive, bludgeoned, and blow torched to death. The most horrific and cruel acts one can imagine are inflicted upon these poor defenseless animals."
Here are some other news reports on what's it like at the market.
This picture taken on February 18, 2017 shows a vendor preparing python meat for his customers in Tomohon market in northern Sulawesi. Bay Ismoyo, AFP via Getty Images
This picture taken on February 18, 2017 shows a vendor offering dog meat to his customers in Tomohon market in northern Sulawesi. (Bay Ismoyo / AFP via Getty Images)
Here's a video exploring the market showing off sights like decapitated bats, chopped off snakes, dogs apparently caged up waiting for the slaughter.
Needless to say, viewer discretion is advised.
Despite the blip caused by the removal of bats from circulation in markets, it appears the winged creatures, and other exotic fares, are bouncing back from the initial setback.
According to AFP, the marketplace is enjoying quite the resurgence lately.
Here are the scenes on February 8, 2020.
This photo taken on February 8, 2020 shows a vendor selling bats at the Tomohon Extreme Meat market on Sulawesi island, as business is booming and curious tourists keep arriving to check out exotic fare. (Ronny Adolof Buol / AFP via Getty Images)
This photo taken on February 8, 2020 shows a vendor slicing up a large snake at the Tomohon Extreme Meat market on Sulawesi island, as business is booming and curious tourists keep arriving to check out exotic fare that enrages animal rights activists. link. - Bats, rats and snakes are still being sold at an Indonesian market known for its 'extreme' wildlife offerings, despite calls to take them off the menu over fears of COVID-19 coronavirus link. (Photo by Ronny Adolof Buol / AFP) (Photo by RONNY ADOLOF BUOL/AFP via Getty Images)
According to AFP, business is booming, with curious tourists streaming in to check out what the market has to offer.
One vendor told AFP that he has been selling "between 40 to 60kg every day".
Booming.
Image from Getty
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