KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah Wildlife Department detained a suspected poacher in possession of protected animal parts in his home in Keningau last Saturday.
The 52-year-old man was detained for keeping body parts of eight animals protected under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.
In a statement today, Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said following a month of intelligence work, personnel from the department had raided the suspect’s home in Kg Tuawon Terusmadi, Keningau.
They discovered four sun bear paws and nine sun bear teeth, pangolin skin, a hornbill’s skull, 18 Indian muntjacs (barking deer)’s antlers, six pairs of deer antlers, seven porcupine’s quills, and six living blue-crowned hanging parrots.
Tuuga said the raid was conducted through an integrated operation by the department, Royal Malaysian Police, and the enforcement team from Sabah Forestry Department.
The suspect is investigated under Section 41 of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for possession of protected animals or products of protected animals.
He said sun bears and pangolins are totally protected animals in Sabah.
Those who are found guilty of possessing these animals or their products without permission can be punished with a fine between RM50,000 and RM250,000, and one to five years’ imprisonment.
He reminded the public that the department’s intelligence unit will continue to monitor and identify illegal activities or crimes toward wildlife through social media.
He also welcomes the public to provide information on similar wildlife crimes to the department immediately. –The Vibes, September 12, 2022
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