KANGAR: Perlis Customs Department rescued 435 exotic animals, including two orang utans, about to be smuggled into Malaysia on Saturday.
Its director Datuk Seri T Subromanian said the animals, kept in 39 boxes, were found underneath a compartment inside a fishing boat.
The Customs team intercepted the boat near the Kuala Perlis-Langkawi border at 12.25am.
"The team arrested three Indonesian men, aged between 40 and 50 years old.
"They have valid travel documents but no permits or papers for the animals." he said.
Apart from the orang utans, other animals rescued were sugar gliders, baby albino foxes, baby crocodiles, birds of paradise, white cockatoos, eclectus parrots, long-tailed parakeets and great arguses.
Subromaniam said most of the animals were classified as endangered species and could fetch a high price in the black market.
He said checks showed that the animals originated from Sumatera and were meant for local market.
He added that the suspects and animals have been handed over to the Wildlife Department for further action.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967 for importing uncustomed and prohibited goods.