 |
| Just in time: Perhilitan officers rescuing the pangolins which were kept in blue plastic bags. |
 |
| 18 live pangolins were recovered from a car travelling along a highway in northern Malaysia towards the Thailand border |
The state Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) rescued
18 pangolins as the animals were being transported in a car.
Perhilitan
officers spotted the car, a black Proton Perdana, at 2.30am as the
vehicle overtook them on the East-West Highway near Gerik last Saturday.
“Based on its registration number, they identified the car as suspected of being involved in wildlife smuggling.
“They trailed the car before apprehending the driver at a petrol station.
“Following
a search they discovered the pangolins, which were kept in 16
blue-coloured plastic bags,” said the department’s spokesman in a press
release on the same day of the arrest.
An adult passenger was also detained.
A report was then lodged at the Gerik police station whereupon the two male adults were remanded for further investigation. Under
the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, the offence carries a fine of not
less than RM50,000 and not more than RM100,000 or a jail term of up to
three years or both.
Perhilitan urged the public to alert the
department any activity suspected of contravening the Wildlife
Conservation Act 2010 at 1300-80-1010 or email pakp@wildlife.gov.my
Source: thestar.com.my
