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| The tiger skins that were seized by Kedah Wildlife and National Parks Department officers at a house in Kota Sarang Semut, Kota Star, early yesterday. Pic courtesy of Wildlife and National Parks Department |
The department said they managed to confiscate eight tiger skins, nine
elephant tusks, 22 plastic bags containing what is believed to be animal
bones and a horn, suspected to be from a deer. The raid was conducted at two locations in Mukim Tokai, Pendang, and in Kota Sarang Semut, Kota Star, at 3.15am yesterday.
The items were found in a house in Kota Setar and a 29-year-old man was detained for investigations. In an immediate reaction, wildlife trade monitoring network Traffic Southeast Asia congratulated the department for its vigilance in making the seizure.
Its senior programme officer, Kanitha Krishnasamy, said the organisation viewed it as "a very serious crime" to hunt endangered animals for trade. "It is shocking to learn he has in his possession all these parts from totally-protected animals. Further investigation to determine where these items were obtained and who else was involved is crucial."
Kavitha called for those involved in such activities to be penalised to the full extent of the law. "Let us not repeat the mistake we made in 2007 when a man, who chopped a tiger into four parts, was fined only RM7,000 which he paid instantly and walked out of the court smiling. We have to get tough with these criminals."
Kavitha said it was also important to determine the source of the tiger skins and elephant tusks. "DNA testing must be conducted for all items -- skins, bones, ivory and horns -- to determine the origins of these animals.
"Malaysia has seized more than six tonnes of ivory in the last seven months. "Although most were transshipments, the last seizure listed Malaysia as the end destination. "The arrest of this individual indicates that there are parties involved in ivory trade in Malaysia.
"The arrest is an excellent opportunity for the authorities to crack down on the illegal trade chain and nab those involved," she said in a statement.
The items were found in a house in Kota Setar and a 29-year-old man was detained for investigations. In an immediate reaction, wildlife trade monitoring network Traffic Southeast Asia congratulated the department for its vigilance in making the seizure.
Its senior programme officer, Kanitha Krishnasamy, said the organisation viewed it as "a very serious crime" to hunt endangered animals for trade. "It is shocking to learn he has in his possession all these parts from totally-protected animals. Further investigation to determine where these items were obtained and who else was involved is crucial."
Kavitha called for those involved in such activities to be penalised to the full extent of the law. "Let us not repeat the mistake we made in 2007 when a man, who chopped a tiger into four parts, was fined only RM7,000 which he paid instantly and walked out of the court smiling. We have to get tough with these criminals."
Kavitha said it was also important to determine the source of the tiger skins and elephant tusks. "DNA testing must be conducted for all items -- skins, bones, ivory and horns -- to determine the origins of these animals.
"Malaysia has seized more than six tonnes of ivory in the last seven months. "Although most were transshipments, the last seizure listed Malaysia as the end destination. "The arrest of this individual indicates that there are parties involved in ivory trade in Malaysia.
"The arrest is an excellent opportunity for the authorities to crack down on the illegal trade chain and nab those involved," she said in a statement.
Source: nst.com.my
