Sabah wildlife rangers rescue 25 live pangolins

KOTA KINABALU: Wildlife rangers seized 25 live pangolins after they arrested a 55-year-old local man at roadblock in Lahad Datu early Saturday.

The pangolins were found inside a cage placed in a Proton Iswara driven by the suspect at a routine roadblock along the Lahad Datu-Sandakan road, manned by Sabah Wildlife Department personnel with the assistance of WWF Malaysia's honorary wildlife wardens.

Department director William Baya said the suspect, who is believed to be unemployed, would be investigated under section 41(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for possession of a protected wildlife species without a permit.

He said penalty for the offence is a fine of RM30,000, three years jail or both.

He said that the pangolins were in good health and would be kept under the care of the Department.

Baya urging people to stop trading in endangered wildlife and said more roadblocks would be conducted to curb illegal hunting of wildlife in Sabah.

"All wildlife offences will also be brought to court for prosecution" he added.