BATU PAHAT: A total of 245 protected animals have been seized following an operation at a kelong (a man-made wooden platform) near Sungai Suluh here.
Batu Pahat Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Mohammad Zaini Zainal said the joint operation with the Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) was carried out at about 10.30pm on Friday (Dec 19).
“Inspections at the kelong, about 1.2 nautical miles southwest of Sungai Suluh, led to the seizure of 245 animals believed to be protected species.
“The animals comprised 234 burung murai kampung (Oriental magpie-robin), 10 pythons and a monkey, and were seized for a suspected violation under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010,” he said in a statement.
No arrests were made, and all the animals were brought to the Batu Pahat Maritime Zone jetty before being handed over to the Johor Perhilitan Department for further investigation and action.
He also said the agency is committed to combating smuggling and illegal wildlife trafficking, adding that it will continue to work closely with other enforcement agencies to protect the country’s biodiversity.
