MIRI: The Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) Sdn Bhd seized 54 wild animals in separate inspections conducted between July 15 and 18.
Acting on public tip-offs, an enforcement team from SFC inspected seven pet shops in Miri and two shops were suspected to contravene the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998 under Section 29 for in possession of totally protected and protected animals, Section 37 for possession of wild animals without license and Section 33 for commercial sale of wildlife without licence.
The inspection was carried out as part of the SFC’s monitoring activities to prevent illegal trade of wildlife as well to respond to complaints received from the general public.
Among the wild animals confiscated were one Hill Myna bird, 22 Budgies birds, 12 Love Birds, two iguanas, three parrots, one Red Whiskered Bulbul bird, three Leopard Geckos, one Indian Star tortoise, one Frilled neck lizard, three cherry head red footed tortoises, two green lizards, two lizards and one long-tailed macaque.
According to SFC chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton, possession of wildlife without a permit from the Controller of Wildlife is a serious crime.
Any person who hunts, kills, captures, sells, offers for sale or claims to be offering for sale, imports, exports or is in possession of any totally protected and protected animals or any recognisable part or derivative, or any nest thereof shall be guilty of an offence which carry a penalty from RM10,000 to RM50,000 and imprisonment from one to five years.
The general public are encourage to report of any sales or possession of wildlife to SFC at the various offices: Kuching (082 -610088), Sibu (084-349455), Bintulu (086-313726) and Miri (085-436637) or via SFC hotlines at the various regions: 019-8859996/016-8565564 (Kuching), 019-8190140/019-8894474(Sibu), 019-8223449/019-8332737 (Bintulu) and 019-8224566/019-8290994 (Miri).
