Perhilitan still taking statement of singer who kept sun bear in apartment

PETALING JAYA: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) is still taking the statement of the singer who kept a sun bear cub in her Desa Pandan condominium in Kuala Lumpur.

Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said Zarith Sofia Yasin had given a statement on Sunday (June 9) but the Department needed to get more information from her.

“After that, our legal adviser will decide where there will be a charge or otherwise.

"If there is a charge, they will have to decide under which section to press charges,” he said on Monday (June 10).

The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 after the bear was rescued on Friday and sent to the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Sungkai, Perak for quarantine and treatment.

The cub is aged about five to seven months and is said to be in good health as he was not found to have sustained any injuries.

Perhilitan’s analysis estimated that there are only about 300 to 500 living sun bears in Malaysia as of 2018.

The Sun bear is a protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. Under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, an individual can only be charged if he or she is found to be in possession of such animals.