AUTHORITIES have been urged to strengthen the enforcement of wildlife protection laws and tighten inspection and monitoring procedures, to prevent the smuggling of endangered animals through airports, reported Bernama.
Chairman of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) Tan Sri Dr Ismail Bakar emphasised the need for regular maintenance of scanning machines at entry points, to ensure that they remain in optimal operating condition.
“The EAIC will investigate the root causes of the weaknesses in the current surveillance and enforcement system, and propose proactive measures to improve the situation. This will help uphold the integrity of enforcement officers and enhance the protection of endangered species,” he told Bernama recently.
He made these remarks in response to an Oct 26 report highlighting the black-market trade of various endangered species, including ‘golden turtles,’ which are now being illegally trafficked as exotic pets by smuggling rings.
A source from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) revealed that, based on intelligence, smuggling syndicates often use hired ‘mules’ to transport animals into the country, on commercial flights from abroad.
According to the source, the modus operandi of concealing endangered turtles in large quantities within luggage is peculiar, raising questions about how smugglers can bypass airport x-ray scanners, based on previous arrests. - November 1, 2024
