Wildlife Poacher Caught With 8,000 Protected Animals
More than 7,000 live monitor lizards were seized during recent raids in southern Malaysia. In this photo, Wildlife and National Parks department personnel Othman Mohammad Yatim and deputy director Celescoriano Razond (right) hold up the seized monitor lizards, while the frozen parts are in the plastic bags. Photo: The Star Online.
More than 8,000 animals have been seized by authorities after a raid on two houses in the southern Malaysian state of Johar.
The raids, which were carried out by eight members of Malaysia’s Wildlife and National Parks Department (commonly known as PERHILITAN), resulted in both live and dead animals being found.
Animals Found
Between the two raids, the Wildlife Crime Unit seized the following animals.
First Raid
During the first raid in Muar on November 4, the Wildlife Crime Unit seized 13 species of protected wildlife. The dead animals were found in freezers, the live animals were found in the back yard.
The seizure included the following:
- Barred eagle owl
- Spotted wood owl
- Buffy fish owl
- Crested serpent eagle
- Reticulated python
- Greater mousedeer
- Malayan porcupine
- Pangolin
- Wild boar meat
- Bones
- Scales
Second Raid
The second raid took place three days after the first raid. The officials raided another location, this time in Segamat, where they found 7,093 clouded monitor lizards - mostly alive. The total weight of the lizards came to 35 tonnes.
Mr Rashid said that the live monitor lizards would be released into the wild.
Protected Species Destined For Restaurants
Illegal wildlife trade has been keeping authorities busy. A recent survey of restaurants and markets in southern China revealed that wildlife consumption is on the rise.
Wildlife typically fetches high prices at restaurants and markets in Vietnam, Hong Kong and China.
“Most of these animals are sold to restaurants serving exotic animals as delicacies and some are also used for making traditional medicines,” said Mr Rashid.
One Man Arrested
Following the seizures, a 49-year-old man was charged in a magistrate’s court in Tangkak on Nov 7. The man, who is a repeat offender, is currently out on RM19,000 bail.
Datuk Abd Rasid Samsudin, PERHILITAN director general said this is the second time the man had been detained. In 2004, he was fined RM7,500 for having 182 pangolins and 1.3kg of pangolin scales.
The court hearing is due for February 20 next year.
Tags: Conservation, endangered species, protected species, threatened species
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