KOTA KINABALU: A 55-year-old man was detained after 22 protected white-rumped shamas, locally known as Murai Batu, were seized during an integrated wildlife operation in Penampang on Tuesday (May 12).
Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said the birds were found inside various cages at a business premises during the operation.
“The joint operation was carried out by the Sabah Wildlife Department together with Bukit Aman’s Wildlife Crime Bureau / Special Investigation Intelligence (WCB/PSK).
“Enforcers found and seized 22 protected birds believed to be Murai Batu, which were kept in various bird cages without any valid permit or licence from the Sabah Wildlife Department.
“Two bird cages were also seized together with the related equipment,” he said in a statement Wednesday (May 13).
The man was detained to assist investigations under Section 41(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for possessing protected wildlife without valid permission.
If convicted, he faces a fine of between RM30,000 and RM100,000, or a jail term of between six months and five years, or both.
Mohd Soffian said the department viewed seriously any activity involving the keeping, possession and trade of wildlife without permits, warning that such acts violated the law.
He also urged the public with information on wildlife-related offences to channel it to the department to assist conservation efforts.
