Sarawak Forestry releases two pangolins to the wild
Posted on July 5, 2011, Tuesday
TO THE WILD: One of the pangolins which were released recently at Semenggoh Wildlife Centre.
KUCHING: Two pangolins surrendered to the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) by a Good Samaritan were released to the wild at Semenggoh Nature Reserve in Kuching recently.
The pangolins which were surrendered by Lai Ah Siew, a Rela officer from Sibu who has been working closely with Sarawak Forestry in confiscating illegal captives of wildlife, were believed to have been traded in the black market.
Also known as the scaly ant eater, and scientifically known as the Manis javanica, the two animals are the mother and its baby.
The pangolins, categorised as a protected wildlife in Sarawak, are difficult animals to take care of due to their complex nature and releasing them into Semenggoh Nature Reserve was a very good start for them as the tropical rainforest is suitable for their survival.
To date, SFC has released six pangolins into the Semenggoh Nature Reserve to protect and breed the species.
Managing director and CEO of SFC Datu Len Talif Salleh commended Lai for doing his part in protecting the wildlife.
“This is a testament of an effective cooperation between the authority and the public, as members of the public are becoming aware of the importance of protecting the wildlife.”
Len stressed that under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998, it was an offence to hunt, kill, capture, sell, import, export or be in possession of any protected and totally protected animal.
“Those who have any information or witnessed any suspicious act on illegal wildlife possession or trade, please report to us immediately.”
Saying that perpetrators would be fined up to RM50,000 and 5 years’ imprisonment, he stressed that SFC would not tolerate those violating the ordinance and would take serious actions against them.
“We are very fortunate to be able to have this species in our forest as they have been hunted for their meat and scales for a long time and has caused the species to face near extinction.
“It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our wildlife and prevent the animal trade to profit from the decreasing number of such beautiful creatures. We hope that places such as Semenggoh Nature Reserve will be a centre for all generations to enjoy the variety of animals which can only be found in Borneo.”
Len stressed that conservation efforts needed the assistance and cooperation from the public, pointing out that he appreciated the initiative to assist SFC in protecting the wildlife in the state to ensure the survival of not only the pangolins but also other wildlife, including its flora and fauna as well as aquatic marine life.
SFC is the agency responsible for the enforcement of the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998, Forest Ordinance 1998 and National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998.
Members of the public are advised to report immediately if they witness any illegal logging, wildlife capture, hunting and trade, or any illegal activities pertaining to forestry and wildlife to SFC hotlines at: 019-8859996 (Kuching), 019-8290992 (Sibu), 019-8266096 (Bintulu) and 019-8290994 (Miri).
