Permitted to keep wildlife under rehabilitation

WE refer to the report “All heated up over gibbons” (The Star, Nov 26). Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is shocked at the manner in which procedures to move the pair of gibbons from a private rehabilitation facility in Raub, Pahang, led to a three-day standoff between wildlife officials and environmental NGO Peka (Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia).

While there are local, regional and federal laws that prohibit the public from having a wild animal in their possession, even while temporarily caring for it with the intention of release, wildlife rehabilitators or care centres are permitted to keep wildlife for rehabilitation.