SFC rescues 20 animals, birds in raid on illegal wildlife farm

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The sun bear that was rescued.

KUCHING: Over 20 wild animals, including an Oriental Pied Hornbill and sun bear, were rescued by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) in a raid in Sibu recently.

In an operation on a premises suspected of being an illegal wildlife farm, SFC’s enforcement team rescued 14 species of wildlife comprising the hornbill and sun bear, which are a totally protected, a parrot, a bear cat, six porcupines, a Hill Myna, two crocodiles, three squirrels, a tortoise, an eagle, a pigeon, two Bali Myna and a macaque.

The animals were taken into SFC’s care after concerns about their welfare were raised, and as the owner failed to produce any related licences or permits, the animals will be sent to Matang Wildlife Centre for keeping before being released into the wild, according to a statement.

SFC chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton said that the owner should have sought verification over the animals.

“Illegally keeping protected species can lead to a year of imprisonment and a fine of RM10,000 while keeping totally protected wildlife species in Sarawak can lead to the maximum fine of RM50,000 and five years’ jail,” Zolkipli said.

He thanked the public for their tip-offs and assistance in curtailing illegal wildlife trading as well as illegal logging in the state.

Members of the public with information on wildlife trading are encouraged to report through SFC’s hotlines at 016-8565564/019-8859996 (Kuching), 019-8883561 (Sibu), 019-8223449/019-8332737 (Bintulu) and 019-8290994/018-9799778 (Miri).