1,920 shama birds rescued from wildlife smugglers

PONTIAN: The marine police have thwarted an attempt to smuggle 1,920 protected shama birds (Murai) worth RM57,600 out of the country.

Marine police Southern Region II commander Asst Comm Paul Khiu Khon Chiang said the black and white coloured birds were found in makeshift cages made from plastic trays in Parit Semerah at around 11.30pm on Sunday.

He said they had earlier spotted a boat in the Pontian waters and decided to investigate.

“Our team of seven tried to get near it but upon noticing the authorities, it sped off towards Pontian Kecil.

“After a 20-minute chase, the boat managed to shake us off and got to shallow waters near the shore, where the suspects escaped,” he said in a statement yesterday.

ACP Khiu said after searching the area, they found the protected birds kept near some rocks in Parit Semerah.

“We believe that the birds were meant to be smuggled into neighbouring countries,” he said, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 60(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 for possessing or hunting protected wildlife species.

He added that all the birds had been brought to the Kukup marine police station and the case had been handed over to the Johor Baru Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) for investigations.