KUCHING, July 20: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) enforcement team has seized 54 wild animals including birds, lizards and tortoises from seven pet shops in Miri in separate inspections conducted between July 15 and 18.
A media release today said that the enforcement team acted following public tip-offs and to respond to complaints received from the general public.
Among the live wild animals confiscated were one Hill Myna bird, 22 Budgies bird, 12 Lovebirds, two iguanas, three parrots, one Red Whiskered Bulbul bird, three leopard geckos, one Indian Star tortoise, one Frilled Neck lizard, three cherry head red footed tortoises, two green lizards, two other lizards and one long tailed macaque.
SFC chief executive officer (CEO) Zolkipli Mohamad Aton emphasised that the efforts were part of their commitment to prevent and stop illegal wildlife trading, abuses and exploitations in Sarawak.
Two of the seven pet shops inspected were suspected to have contravened the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.
The violations as per the Ordinance include under Section 29 for possession of totally protected and protected animals as well as Section 37 for possession of wild animals without license and Section 33 for commercial sale of wildlife without licence.
“Possession of wildlife without a permit from the Controller of wildlife is a serious crime,” warned Zolkipli.
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 totally protected and protected animals or any recognisable part or derivative, or any nest thereof shall be guilty of an offence which carries a penalty of RM10,000 to RM50,000 and imprisonment from one to five years.
General public are encourage to report of any sales or possession of wildlife to SFC at the various offices – Kuching (082 -610088), Sibu (084-349455), Bintulu (086-313726) and Miri (085-436637).
Complaints can also be directed to SFC hotlines at various regions at 019-8859996/016-8565564 (Kuching), 019-8190140/019-8894474(Sibu), 019-8223449/019-8332737 (Bintulu) and 019-8224566/019-8290994 (Miri). — DayakDaily
