KUCHING: Poaching of endangered bears is strictly prohibited, the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) has stressed.
“Anyone caught hunting or trading` any bear or animal parts, for whatever reason, will be severely punished,” SFC said in a statement yesterday.
It was responding to recent news reports that China had approved the use of bear bile to treat the Covid-19 virus.
SFC said it was working with the Resident and District offices, local councils, police, Customs Department, Immigration Department, Maritime Agency, port authorities, the army, and other enforcement agencies to ensure poachers and smugglers are imprisoned according to the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.
“Sarawak, at this moment, is putting a tight border control, and this may control poaching over trans-boundary and illicit international trafficking of endangered species, including parts, along its border areas. With this lockdown period, enforcement is not on lockdown,” it said.
Apart from that, SFC had also been actively promoting public awareness on wildlife conservation through its Communication, Education and Public Awareness programme before the movement control order (MCO), and would continue the programme after the MCO is lifted.
“During the MCO, we are doing this programme through social media and mainstream media,” it continued.
It added that SFC staff from regional offices, site offices and its Swift Wildlife Action Team, had enhanced patrols at various markets throughout Sarawak to prevent any poaching activities.
“Enforcement officers are on standby and ready to investigate any information received. Regional enforcement officers together with more than 300 honorary wildlife rangers all over Sarawak are now cooperating and will alert the team if such activities are found.
“Those with information on illegal wildlife trade are urged to call SFC hotlines at 016-8565564/019-8859996 (Kuching), 019-8883561 (Sibu), 019-8223449/019-8332737 (Bintulu) and 019-8290994/018-9799778 (Miri),” it said.
