PUTRAJAYA: Authorities must bolster wildlife protection enforcement and tighten inspection protocols to prevent the smuggling of endangered animals through airports.
Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) chairman, Tan Sri Dr Ismail Bakar, highlighted the importance of regular maintenance for scanning equipment at entry points to ensure optimal operation.
"The EAIC will investigate the root causes of weaknesses in the current surveillance and enforcement system and recommend proactive measures to address them. This will help maintain the integrity of enforcement officers and enhance endangered species protection," he told Bernama recently.
His remarks follow an Oct 26 report detailing the black-market trade of endangered species, including "golden turtles," which are trafficked as exotic pets by smuggling networks.
A source from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) revealed that smuggling syndicates frequently use hired "mules" to transport animals into the country on commercial flights.
According to the source, the technique of concealing endangered turtles in luggage raises questions about how smugglers manage to evade airport x-ray scanners based on previous arrests.
Meanwhile, Ismail reiterated that the EAIC views the issue seriously, as it highlights potential gaps in surveillance and enforcement, potentially posing integrity risks among enforcement agencies and officers.
"Closer cooperation between enforcement agencies and related parties is also crucial for increased efficiency in tackling this issue. Furthermore, collaboration with international agencies and conservation organisations is essential to share information and strategies in the fight against endangered wildlife smuggling," he added.– BERNAMA