Local man fined RM12,000 for illegal hunting of protected animals

Protected species: The carcass of the marine turtle confiscated from Gabson’s pump boat.

KOTA KINABALU: An illegal immigrant was jailed for poaching endangered sea turtles while a local was slapped with a heavy fine for illegal hunting of protected animals by the court.

As Sabah Wildlife Department stepped up its enforcement against wildlife meat trade and poaching, a magistrate’s court in Tawau slapped Filipino Gabson Pindatun, 30, with a RM15,000 fine in default 18-month imprisonment for possession of 72.4kg of marine turtle meat and shell.