Exotic wildlife meat worth RM20,000 seized

January 17, 2003

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KUALA LUMPUR Jan 17 - The National Forest and Wildlife Protection Department

(Perhilitan) seized various meats of protected wild animals from a restaurant in

Segamat, Johor, Thursday.

Perhilitan Legal and Enforcement Division Director, Misliah Mohamad Basir, said

the 204.5 kg of meats were estimated to have a value of about RM20,000.

" Following public tip-off, we raided the restaurant and found a large amount

meat of wild animals, including some totally protected species, " she told a

press conference at her office here Friday.

Among that seized were 30.5 kg of mountain goat meat, bear's arm and a pair of

bear's feet, which are all categorised as totally protected species.

Also seized were protected species such as 9 kg of porcupine meat; 76.5 kg of

wild boar meat; 24.5 kg of civet meat; 25.5 kg of monitor lizard meat; 24 kg of

macaque meat; and 14.5 kg of deer meat.

Misliah said the restaurant owner is believed to be involved in business selling

wildlife meat dishes for a decade and had a permit to do so.

" In this case, the permit had expired last February. The owner also had meat and

body parts of two totally protected wildlife animals, " she said.

The deputy director of the division, Abdul Jalal Kasim, headed the 6.45 pm raid

with the help of six other rangers.

Misliah said anyone found in possession of totally protected wildlife species

could be charged under Section 64(1) of the 1972 Wildlife Protection Act, which

carries a fine of not more than RM5,000 or imprisonment or both, if convicted.

Offences involving protected wildlife would be charged under Section 68 of the

same Act, which carries a fine of not more than RM3,000 or three years' jail or

both.

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