Special unit needed to curb illegal trade

Highly organised: Pangolins are falsely declared as crabs to be exported to foreign markets. – File photo

WWF-Malaysia commends the police (PDRM) on its decisive actions to combat the burgeoning problem of illegal wildlife trade in Malaysia that is threatening the survival of many of the country’s iconic wildlife, including the Malayan tiger, Sunda pangolin, and Asian elephant.

We welcome PDRM’s strict stance on curbing the use of firearms for illegal hunting and call for continued measures to control firearms, including the purchase of ammunition. It is only through such controls that we can ensure weapons do not fall into the wrong hands, in this case poachers looking to earn a handsome profit at the expense of our wildlife.