KUCHING: Another sun bear kept as a pet for over 20 years at Kampung Rasau in Serian, was rescued yesterday.
Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) Chief Executive Office Zolkipli Mohamad Aton said following a concern raised by a netizen, an enforcement team was dispatched to the farm house, located about an hour from Kuching.
The team conducted an inspection at the premises and found that the wildlife was kept in a small cage.
The owner had a valid license issued by the Controller of Wild Life, Forest Department Sarawak.
He claimed that he has been keeping the sun bear for more than 20 years and renewed the license annually.
Zolkipli however said the owner was in violation of certain terms and conditions of the license whereby the cage size was too small.
"After explaining the terms and conditions to the owner, the owner willingly surrendered the sun bear. The rescued bear was immediately sent to the Matang Wildlife Centre," he said.
Sun bears are protected under Sarawak’s Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998, where killing, keeping, selling, buying the animal or its derivatives are prohibited by the law and if found guilty, the perpetrator can be jailed for one year and fined RM10,000.
Licence can be applied but applicants must comply with the terms and conditions of the licence.
“This is our commitment to strengthen efforts to address illegal wildlife trade and tackle wildlife crime and abuse. We will continuously take action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna in Sarawak,” said the CEO.
On Wednesday, a seven-year-old sun bear was rescued from a terrace unit at the Demak Laut housing estate, here.
The 76kg protected species was rescued by the SFC after images of the animal went viral on social media.
The owner also had a valid licence from the Forestry Department Sarawak, however, was also found in violation of certain terms and conditions.
Members of the public can lodge a report with the SFC or Forestry Department if they come across anyone keeping or selling protected animals.
Those with information on similar illegal activities are urged to call SFC hotlines at 016-8565564/019-8859996 (Kuching), 019-8883561 (Sibu), 019-8223449/019-8332737 (Bintulu) and 019-8290994/018-9799778 (Miri).