MIRI – The Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and Royal Customs Department have successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle seven rare African Sulcata tortoises into the city.
This is after both enforcement teams from the two agencies busted the smuggling attempt at Miri airport yesterday.
On its Facebook page, today, SFC stated that the Customs officers alerted them to the case after discovering the animals packed inside a parcel.
“A police report has been lodged regarding the seizure.
“The rescued tortoises have been sent to the SFC regional office in Miri.
“We thank Customs for their role in detecting and stopping such smuggling attempts,” it added.
So far, no arrests have been made.
The smuggling of wildlife into and from the state is widespread as such activities continue to be carried out by industrial and estate workers, as well as residents of squatter settlements and villages throughout Sarawak, including outskirts of Miri.
The blatant acts continue despite SFC’s efforts to tackle such illicit activities.
An active native society member who spoke to The Vibes on the condition of anonymity, said pangolins are among the most popular animals being trapped by these workers, aside from native birds, monkeys, squirrels, slow loris and other mammals, including small wildcats.
“Often, they are sold as pets but many mammals are often slaughtered and eaten with their parts sold, such as the pangolin scales,” he said, today.
SFC, he said, has put in a great effort to try to tackle these wildlife abuses.
“SFC enforcement teams are doing their best but those who capture wildlife often carry out trappings in forested areas around Miri and Kuala Baram districts during night time and pre-dawn hours.
“That is why it is so difficult for the authorities to tackle these wildlife crimes,” he said. – The Vibes, June 23, 2022
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