Step up to protect wildlife

MANY Malaysian animals are going to be extinct if no drastic steps are taken to protect them from poaching. The problem is also part of wildlife trafficking, which takes place in all regions of the world, and countries with high biodiversity like Malaysia are the source, transit areas and hubs for smuggled species.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has estimated the global wildlife trafficking industry to be worth between US$7bil (RM28bil) and US$23bil (RM92bil) annually.