Authorities seize sun bear paws, live animals in Keningau raid

KOTA KINABALU: The severed paws of sun bears along with blue-crowned hanging parrots and mouse deer horns were seized during a raid in Sook, Keningau recently.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said these were some of the wildlife and animal parts seized from a 52-year-old man.

The man was arrested at around 12.40pm on Sept 10 (Saturday), during a raid by Wildlife officials at Kg Tuawon Trusmadi, he said.

"Upon the raid on the house, our officials found a total of four sun bear paws, nine sun bear teeth, pangolin scales, dozens of mouse deer horns, six pairs of deer horns and porcupine thorns," he said.

Also seized were six live blue-crowned hanging parrots, a hornbill skull and two tortoises, Tuuga said.

He said this arrest was made after over a month’s observation and the raid was conducted together with the police and the Sabah Forestry Department Protect team.

"The suspect has been detained to facilitate probes under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997," he said.

Tuuga warned the public against hunting or keeping protected wildlife or any parts of their bodies, or species that require permits to own.

He said enforcement officials were constantly on the watch.

He also urged the public to inform the authorities if they suspect any illegal activities of these sorts immediately.