Urgent need for PDRM wildlife crime unit

A file photo of a tiger’s paw caught in a poacher’s trap found in the forests of northern Perak. — LAU CHING FONG/WWF-Malaysia

WWF-Malaysia commends the Malaysian government’s anti-poaching and anti-wildlife trafficking efforts, following the statement of Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah that a total of 64 poachers have been caught since early this year (The Star, July 22; online at bit.ly/star_poach).

With fewer than 200 Malayan tigers left in the wild, protection of this species must be prioritised. We need key actions to address the main threats. Increased patrol-ling efforts to deter wildlife crime that decimates tigers and their prey is a critical step. In view of this, WWF-Malaysia impresses the urgent need for the establishment of a wildlife crime unit within the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) force, in order to effectively combat poaching and wildlife trafficking.