KUCHING: A man was arrested by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) for illegally possessing 42 protected birds and three tortoises last Thursday (Oct 22).
In a statement issued, the corporation’s enforcement officers were patrolling in Pending Industrial Estate around 11am and spotted the animals in the cages.
“The team saw several birdcages at the backyard of the staff quarters.
“The birds were identified as 29 spotted doves, five common mynas, four geopelias, two green pigeons, two Asian glossy starlings and three tortoises,” SFC said.
According to SFC, the birds and tortoises are classified as protected species under Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998.
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 protected animal or any recognisable part without a licence issued by the Controller is guilty of an offence.
The enforcement team arrested the 48-year-old man, who was caught red-handed for the crime, and will be investigated under Section 37(1)(c) of the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.
If convicted, the offender can face maximum punishment of a RM10,000 fine and one-year jail term.
Should the public have any information on illegal activities, they are encouraged to report them through SFC hotlines – Kuching (019-8859996), Sibu (019-8883561), Bintulu (019-8332737), Miri (019-8290994).
