Perak Wildlife Department auctions off smuggled snakes to licensed dealers - Malay Press Item

Subject:

Comments:
: NEW STRAITS TIMES (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) 08 February 00 Perak Wildlife Department auctions off smuggled snakes to licensed dealers : Ipoh: The State Wildlife Department auctioned off 184 smuggled snakes, categorised as protected species, to licensed dealers. : Its director, Jasmi Abdul, said the snakes, which included cobras and oriental rat snakes, were among 1,000 reptiles seized by police in a raid in Grik last week. : He said the snakes would be disposed of by dealers for their meat, organs and skin. : Proceeds from the auction, amounting to about RM3,700 will go to the federal coffers. : He also said two men who were caught trying to smuggle the snakes into the country would be charged in the Grik magistrate's court tomorrow. : They will be prosecuted under the Wildlife Protection Act for possession of protected animals and reptiles without a licence. : Jasmi said this was the first time the authorities had come across snakes being smuggled into the country through Perak. : He also said the remaining 816 snakes were returned to the two men as they were not categorised under protected species. : They were arrested on Jan 31, when they tried to smuggle the snakes and 40 tortoises into the country. : In another incident, Jasmi said Wildlife officers also detained a man who had in his possession the meat of a pig-tailed macaque. : The meat, weighing about five kg, was found in a refrigerator and was to be cooked as a delicacy at a restaurant. : Jasmi said the man would also be charged under the same Act as the monkey was a protected species. : He said Wildlife officers were stepping up enforcement to prevent protected species from being killed or hunted as there were many cases that had gone undetected in the past. : He also called on the public to alert the department at 05- 5273411 or 05-5270221 if they came across such cases. :

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL: