Asean urged to play leading role in combating wildlife trafficking

Joint effort: Anifah taking a group photo with Novelli, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, Malaysia

KOTA KINABALU: Asean has to play the leading role in efforts tackling wildlife trafficking as more than 18% of sea and land based animal species are found in this area, a senior American government official said.

United States Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Catherine Novelli said transnational syndicates specialising in wildlife trafficking were also operating in many Asean countries.