A bear cat in captivity.
LUNDU: Thirty-four animals, including protected species, have been rescued from a farm house in Telok Melano in Sematan on Monday by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) together with the Marine Police and Immigration department.
There were 10 species of wildlife rescued, including a slow loris which is a totally protected animal, and a porcupine, a bear cat, six Parakeets, a Hill Myna, and four White-rumped Shama which are protected species, SFC said in a statement.
The corporation said they had acted upon receipt of a tip-off and acting on information received from the General Operations Force (PGA) regarding the illegal possession of protected wildlife at the farm house.
As the owner failed to produce the relevant licence or permit from the Controller of Wildlife to keep the animals, they were seized and will be sent to Matang Wildlife Centre for keeping before releasing them to the wild.
According to the statement, illegally keeping protected species can lead to a year’s imprisonment and fine of RM10,000; while keeping totally protected wildlife in Sarawak can lead to a maximum fine of RM50,000 and five years’ jail.
Chief executive officer of SFC Zolkipli Mohamad Aton said the success of the operation was made possible by the cooperation shown by the four agencies.
He said this also indicated the positive result of SFC initiatives in creating awareness on illegal wildlife trade in Sarawak.
“This year, we have organised a series of workshops on illegal wildlife trade throughout Sarawak to enhance coordination and team work among relevant enforcement agencies. There will be more joint operations in time to come as part of the action plan agreed in the workshop,” he said.
SFC hotlines are 016-8565564/019-8859996 (Kuching), 019-8883561 (Sibu), 019-8223449/019-8332737 (Bintulu) and 019-8290994/018-9799778 (Miri).