Perhilitan Seizes 449 Various Wildlife

ALOR SETAR, 27 OCTOBER, 2011: The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) seized 449 various types of wildlife, believed to be for export, during a raid on a house at Kampung Kandis, Kodiang, about 40 kilometres from here, yesterday.

According to Kuala Lumpur Perhilitan enforcement officer Celescoriano Razond, a total of 302 Asian cobras (Naja Naja), 146 Malayan box turtles (Coura Amboinesis) and a long-tailed macaque (Macaca Fascicularis) were seized.

The seizure of the exotic animals was made in accordance with the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716), he told reporters at the Perhilitan office in Bukit Pinang, near here, today.

Celescoriano said the animals were found locked under the house owned by a Malay man in his 40s, as well as at the front and backyard of the house for the past three weeks.

"The exotic animals, owned by a Chinese man in his 30s, believed to be the employer of the Malay man, were kept temporarily to be sent overseas," he said, adding that the animals were bought by the Chinese man from local people in Perlis.

He said both men were detained at the Jitra Police station lock-up for further investigation.

Keeping the male Asian cobras, the male Malayan box turtles, and the long-tailed macaque is an offence and offenders could be charged under Section 60(1)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act (Act 716), which carries a fine of up to RM50,000 and imprisonment not exceeding two years, or both.

Celescoriano said if the Asian cobras and Malayan box turtles were females, the offence comes under Section 62 of the same Act, which carries a fine of up to RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

Resource article: Bernama

Perhilitan defends spate of raids

PETALING JAYA: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has refuted claims from unhappy zoo and animal park operators that its recent spate of raids and animal seizures were “too fast and too drastic”.

It fired back in a statement yesterday, saying some zoo operators had failed to rectify their shortcomings despite being told to do so during Perhilitan's pre-zoo audit.

This included wildlife care, safety and record-keeping of every animal under their care.

“Most of the improvements can be done immediately. However, many of our comments are not acted upon accordingly,” it said.

It added that there was nothing new about its move to seize improperly-managed wildlife in zoos and parks.

Perhilitan reminded zoo and park operators to “buck up” in managing their wildlife. “We are here to safeguard the wildlife and not to wait and see. The main purpose of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 is to monitor how zoos in Malaysia are managed and operated,” it said.

According to its statistics, 192 animals were seized this year from various premises, including zoos, for failure to comply with the conditions set for keeping wildlife.

The Star reported on Monday that the Malaysian Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria had criticised the department for having no clear communication on the new Act or its guidelines.

Its president Kevin Lazarus had said Perhilitan should provide a written minimum standard for operators to comply with on animal welfare standards.

In response, Perhilitan insisted it had provided clear guidance to zoo operators since early last year.

Resource article: The Star Online

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