TEMERLOH: Wildlife poachers and traders of protected animals face severe penalties, including jail and a fine or whipping, upon conviction.
Pahang National Parks and Wildlife Department (Perhilitan) director Khairiah Mohd Sharif said monkeys and pangolins were protected animals, and it was an offence to catch and sell them.
She was responding to claims by several local people, including orang asli, that they were influenced by wildlife trafficking syndicates on the Internet.
Khairiah said she was disappointed that some people had allowed themselves to be manipulated to make money through illegal means.
“There are many ways to earn money, but not by hunting or trading in protected animals,” she said yesterday.
On another matter, Khairiah said the department would not be issuing any licence to keep the leopard cat, hill myna and hanging parrot.
She said anyone caught hunting and keeping the protected animals could be penalised under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. - Bernama
