KUCHING, Sept 28: A sun bear, which spent 20 years of its life in captive in a cage at a farm house near Kampung Rasau, Serian, has been rescued by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) yesterday.
The bear is set for a new life, after arriving at its new abode at the Matang Wildlife Centre.
SFC chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton said its Swift Wildlife Action Team (SWAT) had visited the premise to inspect the case of a sun bear kept in a farm house following a public tip-off.
“The enforcement team found that the owner has a valid licence (to keep the animal) issued by the Controller of Wild Life of the Sarawak Forest Department, which was renewed annually.
“However, the owner has violated certain terms and conditions of the licence, especially the lack of space,” he said in a statement.
According to the owner, the bear has been in the care of the family for over 20 years. After explaining the terms and conditions of the licence, the owner had willingly surrender the sun bear to the SFC.
“Licence can be applied but applicants must comply with the licence terms and conditions,” he added.
Zolkipli warned that sun bear is protected under Sarawak Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998, whereby killing, keeping, selling, buying the animal or its derivatives were prohibited by the law and if found guilty, the perpetrator can be jailed for one year and fined RM10,000.
He said SFC will continue to strengthen efforts to address illegal wildlife trade and tackle wildlife crime and abuse in the state.
“We will not hesitate to take stern actions to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna in Sarawak,” he continued.
SFC also extended its gratitude to members of the public who have assisted authorities in curtailing illegal wildlife trading, as well as illegal logging in Sarawak.
Members of the public can lodge a report with the SFC and Sarawak Forest Department if they come across anyone keeping or selling totally protected animals.
Those with information on similar illegal activities are urged to call SFC hotlines at 016-8565564/019-8859996 (Kuching), 019-8883561 (Sibu), 019-8223449/019-8332737 (Bintulu) and 019-8290994/018-9799778 (Miri). — DayakDaily
