Twelve protected birds seized and trafficker nabbed

ALOR SETAR: Twelve protected birds of prey worth more than RM25,000 were seized by the Kedah Wildlife and National Parks Department with the arrest of a wildlife trafficker in Bukit Jenun, Pendang, near here.

Its director Muhammad Ali Che Aman said a 41-year-old man was nabbed at home after he failed to produce a permit to legally keep the birds, comprising the Crested Goshawk, Bat Hawk, Hawk Eagle and Collared Falconet.

“An eight-member team raided the premises on Tuesday and found the birds in the porch and at the back of the house with their feet tied.

“We are now trying to determine where the birds were caught so that they could be released back into their natural habitat,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Muhammad Ali added that action would be taken against the man for hunting totally protected wildlife.

He will be investigated under Section 68(2)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, which carries a fine of up to RM100,000, a jail term of not more than three years, or both, upon conviction.

Wildlife traffickers have turned to the Internet to sell protected animals through a popular online classified website as well as Facebook and WhatsApp.

Last year, a mechanic who sold protected birds in such a manner was arrested with a White-rumped Shama, Little Green Pigeon, a Black-shouldered Kite, a Blue-winged Leafbird, a Striped-throated Bulbul, a Slaty-breasted Rail and three Watercock.