THE Department of Wildlife Protection and National Parks (Perhilitan) Peninsular Malaysia successfully rescued protected wildlife species worth about RM5.4 million from being smuggled out through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Its director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the amount involved seizures between January 2023 and March 2025.
According to him, the animal species targeted for trafficking and smuggling were turtles, snakes, birds and primates, both local and exotic species.
"So far, 10 investigation papers have been opened by Perhilitan related to cases of wildlife smuggling through KLIA during the same period.
"On average, these wild animals are being smuggled to South Asia, Indonesia and Vietnam," he told Harian Metro.
Abdul Kadir said that baby siamangs, iguanas, bird species, snakes and turtles are the most frequently smuggled into or out of the country.
A total of 4,200 exotic animals were attempted to be smuggled through KLIA, a 42 percent jump compared to 2023.
India recorded 56 cases of foreign wildlife seizures in 2022; almost half of them arrived via Kuala Lumpur.
"Usually, these animals are put in plastic containers, packed in boxes or wrapped with stickers before being checked in as luggage.
"However, this tactic was successfully intercepted in the cargo zone, as well as thanks to Perhilitan's intelligence and successful cooperation with other enforcement agencies," he said.
According to him, illegal wildlife trafficking and smuggling activities can have long-term impacts, especially on endangered animal species in the country.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) had earlier donated two detection dogs (K9) to Perhilitan to combat wildlife smuggling activities at KLIA.
The Belgian Malinois dogs named 'Van' and 'Perry', which were imported from the Netherlands, underwent intensive training with professional trainers to detect wildlife listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, such as elephant ivory, rhinoceros horns, pangolin scales, snakes and turtles.
These dogs can also help strengthen efforts to curb wildlife smuggling activities in and out of Malaysia.
MAHB said the dogs were trained to detect hidden wildlife in luggage and these four-legged heroes help stop smuggling before it takes flight.
Flight services between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Mumbai or Chennai, India are 'popular routes' used by protected wildlife smuggling syndicates. – May 14, 2025
