Wildlife Dept awaiting approval for issuance of new licenses

KUANTAN: The issuance of protected species ownership permits under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 has yet to be fully enforced even though it has been three months since the cut-off date.
Pahang National Parks and Wildlife Department (Perhilitan) director Khairiah Mohd Shariff said the department was still waiting for the green light from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to implement the issuance of new permits.

 

Endangered: A filepic of Mohamad Azim, 27, with his Murai Batu at a bird exhibition in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan

“For the time being, we are only renewing licenses based on the old Acts as the new format and fees have not been finalised yet,” she said in an interview with The Star recently.
Khairiah said there should be no problem for those who already own licenses as long as they renew it.
Only those who possess protected species without licenses will be charged in court.

“If owners fail to renew their licenses, we can also charge them on technical grounds,” she said.
It was reported earlier that the final day for those who had not applied for the permit was on June 26 following a grace period of six months after the Act came into effect.
Individuals who own or purchase wild animals listed in the Act’s protected species list were required to get an ownership permit.

Khairiah also said microchip tags, scanners and systems for the implementation of the new permit had been prepared. “Once the Act comes into full enforcement, each animal registered with us will have their individual identification in our database. “We will then monitor and conduct enforcement throughout the year, she said. 

 

Resource article:  thestar.com.my