KOTA KINABALU: The seizure of thousands of pangolins worth RM8.4 million in Sepanggar and Tamparuli recently indicates that more has to be done to protect the endangered species.
World Wildlife Fund-Malaysia Sabah interim conservation head Tan Hui Shim said the crackdown by enforcement agencies was both a story of success and of failure.
“Success as it puts an end to years of ruthless hunting and killing of pangolins by one syndicate,” she said in a statement issued in conjunction with World Pangolin Day tomorrow.
“It is also creating a strong impact in furthering conservation efforts here in Sabah.”
Unfortunately, she added, it also showed that thousands of pangolins were hunted, killed and sold both locally and internationally by criminal syndicate.
Tan said WWF was grateful that the agencies’ hard work had resulted in the arrest of a man linked to a syndicate that authorities believe has been operating for seven years.
“Tackling wildlife crime in Sabah has been a constant challenge and it requires a long-term mechanism and committed resources.
“Based on this recent capture and other cases over the years, there is a need to seriously look into setting up a wildlife crime bureau to confront organised wildlife crime in a systematic and consistent manner.
“Those criminals are organised. Can the enforcement effort afford to be any less organised?” Over the years, WWF has been collaborating with the government in enforcement, including conducting joint patrols in protected areas and providing capacity training for enforcement officers on the ground.
She said the organisation would continue to work closely with government agencies.
“The survival of our wildlife is a shared responsibility. Illegal hunting, selling and possession of wildlife parts and other crime against wildlife are detrimental to the wellbeing of our environment.
“Upon conviction, the maximum penalty should be imposed on those caught in possession of protected species to match the severity of the crime.”