Don’t rescue and then neglect

Picture of a dead baby langur, which died on the morning of the April 1 press conference at Perhilitans Headquarters in Cheras. It was one of the 10 which were seized by Perhilitan on March 27. - VINCENT TAN/The Star

I REFER to “Saved but left to die” (The Star, May 20).

First, as a conservationist, I would like to congratulate the authors on the ‘expose’ on the state of wildlife confiscated by Perhilitan. It was well researched and explained. It brought to light what most conservation NGOs already suspected.

The problem with Perhilitan is systematic because it focus is primarily on enforcement.

The Wildlife Conservation Act was adopted from the British colonial masters, whose main purpose of having the Act then was to preserve their ‘hunting’ privileges. It was to preserve wildlife areas so as to ensure controlled hunting could be carried out.

A close scrutiny of the current Act shows an overemphasis on hunting, permits and licences, that is, revenue generation. Only two clauses - 105 and 109 - talk about what to do with seized wildlife. It is basically silent on the provision of proper facilities, care and protection of seized wildlife. Ironically, Perhilitan is in violation of Clause 86(1)(b) on Cruelty to Wildlife at its own Rescue Centre in Sungkai, as your article explains.

We have seen an over-emphasis of enforcement, in targeting animal traffickers and the interdiction of shipments of wildlife species, which is commendable.

However, there is an under-emphasis of the welfare of the species interdicted.

Some proposed solutions:

> Amend the Act so that it clearly defines wildlife conservation, with greater emphasis on the holistic conservation of wildlife and their habitats.

> The Act should state clearly the remedial measures undertaken for seized wildlife and their eventual return, if possible, to the natural environment or a flexible system for their redistribution to other accredited non-governmental rehabilitation centres.

> Ensure adequate funding so the current centres can provide proper shelter, sustenance and veterinary assistance.

> Change mindset of Perhilitan staff from just prosecution to wildlife protection.

> Engage with wildlife conservation NGOs, academics and animal experts.

With such measures it is our hope that the misery of the ‘saved wildlife’ will be a thing of the past.

SHOCKED CONSERVATIONIST

Kulim