KUCHING, Dec 11: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) seized wildlife and animal body parts in two raids yesterday.
Acting upon public tip-offs, SFC enforcement team from Kuching Regional Office immediately sprang into action, raiding two premises at Green Road and Kuching Waterfront respectively yesterday afternoon.
According to SFC press statement today, in the 4.30pm raid at Green Road, the team confiscated 14 live soft shell turtles which are protected species, six live tortoises and seven green pigeons, locally known as “punai”. The animals will be sent to Matang Wildlife Centre.
Another tip-off at 5pm saw the enforcement team rushing to a business premises at Kuching Waterfront where three horns, four animal teeth, 33 hedgehog furs, Kayu Gaharu and wildlife skulls were confiscated as the owners of these animal parts failed to produce any relevant licences or permits.
Both cases are now being investigated under Section 29(2) and 37(2)(c) of Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998.
SFC Chief Executive Officer, Zolkipli Mohamad Aton expressed his gratitude to the members of the public for all their assistance in protecting Sarawak wildlife.
“We cannot work alone. We need public cooperation as well as inter-agency cooperation and coordination to sustain wildlife conservation and protection. After all, collaboration is a key part of a successful team,” he said.
Members of the public who have information on illegal activities such as hunting, capturing, killing, trading, keeping as pets, importing or exporting of protected wildlife are encouraged to report through SFC hotlines – 0168565564/0198859996 (Kuching), 0198883561 (Sibu), 0198223449/0198332737 (Bintulu) and 0198290994/0189799778 (Miri). —DayakDaily
