LETTERS: Social media platforms have become the new frontier for illegal wildlife trafficking.
Last January, it was reported that the Wildlife and National Parks Department recorded 654 cases of illegal online sale of exotic wildlife between 2020 and 2023 through social media platforms.
The ease of creating and sharing content has given traffickers a convenient and accessible medium to advertise and sell wildlife, both Malaysian and those smuggled from overseas, including animal babies.
They include foxes, leopard cubs, owls, leopard cats and langur infants.
I recently came across an account blatantly selling various wildlife species.
The sellers openly shared phone numbers for contact, making it easy for anyone to engage in illegal transactions.
It is not just limited to one account. Traffickers often create multiple fake accounts to evade detection by the authorities.
The transportation methods used by traffickers are appallingly inhumane. It is unimaginable to think of a clouded leopard kitten or a flat-headed kitten being shoved into a box and transported for hours via courier services to the buyer's home.
Traffickers continuously adapt and find new ways to bypass regulations and detection. This is where the public's role becomes crucial.
The demand for wild animals as pets drives the supply, leading to relentless poaching and trafficking. Thus, social media platforms must take responsibility for their role in facilitating wildlife trafficking.
They need to implement stricter policies and monitoring systems to identify and shut down accounts engaged in illegal wildlife trade to curb the spread of this illicit activity.
Raising public awareness about the dangers of wildlife trafficking is essential.
Educating the public about the suffering these animals endure in captivity and the potential health risks they pose can help reduce demand.
Wildlife belongs in the wild, where they can live freely and contribute to the balance of their ecosystems.
Combating wildlife trafficking requires stronger enforcement. The authorities must be equipped with the resources and support needed to track and apprehend traffickers.
International collaboration is also crucial, as wildlife trafficking is a global issue that transcends borders. Sharing information and best practices can enhance efforts to dismantle trafficking networks.
Supporting organisations dedicated to wildlife conservation is another vital step.
These organisations work tirelessly to rescue trafficked animals, rehabilitate them and reintroduce them into the wild whenever possible.
Donating to or volunteering with these organisations can make a significant difference in the fight against wildlife trafficking.
The battle against wildlife trafficking is far from over, but by raising awareness and taking collective action, we can have a significant impact.
SUZIANAH NHAZZLA ISMAIL
Shah Alam, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times