SIBU: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) seized more than 400 animals from an animal farm here last week in a surprise inspection on pet shops to crack down on illegal keeping of pets and wildlife here.
SFC chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton said of the animals rescued, a total of 366, comprising about 38 species, were those protected under CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna).
“Others were five species of protected animals including a Pheasant, three Hill Myna, two owls, four Prevost Squirrels and eight parrots, two species of totally protected animals including four Pergam and a black hornbill and 28 wildlife, including a mousedeer, 11 peacocks, two Kijang (deer), 12 Punai and a tortoise,” he said in a press statement issued yesterday.
Zolkipli said all the seized animals would be sent to the Matang Wildlife Centre for keeping before being released to the wild.
He urged all the pet shop and animal farm operators to apply and obtain permits or licences from the Controller of Wildlife.
According to Zolkipli, pet shops should seek verification on the origin of the animals as keeping protected species could lead to a one-year imprisonment and a fine of RM10,000.
Keeping totally protected wildlife in Sarawak, on the other hand, could land the offender to face a maximum fine RM50,000 and five years’ jail, he added.
“This is our continuous and long term commitment to addressing illegal wildlife trade and crime to safeguard the flora and fauna in Sarawak.
“This includes instilling awareness and realisation in the minds of the public at large that wildlife is best left undisturbed in the wild as part of the forest communities and not as pets,” said Zolkipli.
He added members of the public were encouraged to join SFC in its wildlife conservation effort through orangutan, hornbill or sea turtle adoption programme.
He appealed to those who have information on wildlife trade to call the Sarawak Forestry’s hotlines in Kuching (019-8859996, 016-8565564), Sibu (019-8190140, 019-8894474), Bintulu (019-8223449, 019-8332737), or Miri (019-8224566, 019-8290994).
