FWD: Department probing Bird of Paradise smuggling network

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This article is from The Star Online

URL:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2004/12/17/nation/9680879 & sec=nation

 

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Friday December 17, 2004

Department probing Bird of Paradise smuggling network

BY HILARY CHIEW

 

PETALING JAYA: The Wildlife and National Parks Department is probing a smuggling

network involving the Bird of Paradise with the seizure of some 20 of the

foreign species from an undisclosed location in Selangor last month.

 

Enforcement officers raided the premises and seized the birds from a suspected

collector who did not have documents such as licences and import permits.

 

The department has prohibited the import of all wild birds since the outbreak

of the avian flu. This could have further fuelled the smuggling of exotic birds

for dealers and collectors.

 

About 100 hill mynahs, smuggled via Singapore from another neighbouring

country, were confiscated from a bird trader in Johor Baru last month.

 

Found only in Papua New Guinea, Irian Jaya in Indonesia and northern Australia,

the Bird of Paradise & #150; priced for its colourful plumage & #150; is highly

sought after by specialist collectors.

 

 

 

Department director of enforcement Misliah Mohd Bashir, when queried about the

latest clampdown, was tight-lip but said that the matter was & #147;under

investigation. & #148;

 

& #147;My officers are still investigating the case, & #148; she said on

Wednesday.

 

Asked when the offender would be charged in court, Misliah said any prosecution

would depend on the outcome of the investigation.

 

She said investigators were & #147;looking for the owner & #148; but the caretaker

of the premise had not been co-operative.

 

Sources said there were 20 of the highly-priced birds but about five had died.

 

However, only five Birds of Paradise were seen in two separate enclosures as of

last week.

 

Department Director-General Datuk Musa Nordin declined to comment on the

whereabouts of the other birds.

 

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