KUCHING, Oct 24: A 48-year-old man was arrested on Oct 22 for alleged illegal possession of 42 endangered bird species and tortoises. The exotic birds were found in cages and the tortoises were kept in a plastic container behind a staff quarter.
In a press statement released yesterday, the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) revealed its enforcement officers discovered several bird cages in the backyard of the staff quarters while patrolling the Pending Industrial Estate.
According to the corporation, there were 29 Burung Terkukur, four Burung Merbok, five Burung Tiong Gembala Kerbau, two Burung Punai, two Burung Perling Mata Merah and three tortoises – all of which are classified as protected species under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.
The corporation asserted that any person who hunts, kills, captures, sells, offers for sale or claims to be offering for sale, imports, exports, or is in possession of any protected animal or any recognisable animal part without a license issued by the SFC Controller is an offence.
Meanwhile, the suspect will be investigated under section 37(1)(c) of the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998 which carries a maximum of RM10,000 fine and one-year imprisonment upon conviction.
SFC appealed to members of the public with information on illegal activities to report to the corporation through its hotlines at 019-8859996 (Kuching), Sibu (019-8883561), Bintulu (019-8332737) and Miri (019-8290994).—DayakDaily
