Combined efforts to protect wildlife

A Spotted Dove. — Filepic

MIRI: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and General Operations Force (GOF) are joining forces to carry out raids and deter the capture, sale and possession of wildlife in Sarawak.

SFC Chief Executive Officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton said the move was to tackle wildlife abuse in Sarawak more effectively.

During the past week, the two agencies seized live and slaughtered wildlife in Serian, Kota Samarahan and Batu Kawa during their joint raids, he said.

Among the live animals seized were pythons and turtles while the slaughtered wildlife were deer, pythons, monitor lizards and turtles.

Sarawak Forestry Corporation and General Operations Force team raiding the Serian market in an operation against wildlife traders.

Zolkipli said tackling wildlife abuse in Sarawak was a challenging and difficult task, not only in terms of logistics but also in terms of the attitude of many involved.

“A large number of locals feel there is nothing wrong in capturing or eating wildlife.

“That is why we are also carrying out educational campaigns on the need to conserve wildlife at longhouses, kampung, markets and even schools .

“Those in possession of wildlife must surrender them to us,” he said.

A protected Blue crowned Hanging Parrot. — Filepic

Since March 1, a series of regular raids were conducted throughout Sarawak in a statewide operation against abuse of wildlife, and among the animals rescued were some rare species.

Raids were carried out in the markets in Miri, Kuala Baram, Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Matang, Serian, Bau, Sibu, Julau, Selangau, Bintulu and Kidurong.

Among the many species of rare and protected animals seized from wildlife traders and keepers were Barred Eyed Owl, Buffy Fish Owl, Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot, Spotted Dove, other birds, terrapins such as Borneon Terrapin, tortoises, pythons, slaughtered pythons and slaughtered wildboar.

Zolkipli said the public with information on wildlife abuse can call the SFC hotlines.

The hotlines are in Kuching (019-885 9996, 016-856 5564), Sibu (019-819 0140, 019-889 4474), Bintulu (019-822 3449, 019-833 2737) and in Miri (019-822 4566, 019-829 0994).