17 protected birds seized during raid

IPOH: Seventeen birds of several protected species were seized from a Felda settler’s house in Grik.

The settler, from Felda Lawin Selatan, had been earning side income for the past six months by trapping the birds and selling them to local collectors, said Perak Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Fakhrul Hatta Musa.

The birds were seized on Saturday.

During the raid at 11am, the man was nowhere to be seen.

Among the bird species captured by the man were murai (shama) and daun kecil (lesser green leafbird).

“We believe that the man, in his 40s, trapped the birds from the Royal Belum or Temenggor rainforest.

“The total value of the birds seized is about RM50,000,” Fakhrul told reporters at his office here yesterday.

He added that the department was working with police to locate the man.

The case has been classified under Section 60 (1) (a) and Section 68 (1) (a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 for possession of protected or totally protected species without a licence.

If found guilty, the man could face a maximum fine of RM50,000 or two years’ jail or both under Section 60 (1) (a) and a maximum fine of RM700,000 or seven years’ jail or both under Section 68 (1) (a).