Join fight to combat illegal wildlife trade

THE Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) refers to the letter for exotic demand by the president of Sahabat Alam Malaysia.

We fully agree that the consumption of wildlife meat is not restricted to this country only but has been part of the deeprooted dining culture in certain parts of the region.

In order to curb illegal wildlife trade, Perhilitan has been intensifying its enforcement efforts from time to time.

Innovative approaches such as National Blue Ocean Strategy have been applied in the department’s enforcement strategies which help to strengthen, improve and intensify enforcement activities.

The department realises that it is not easy to combat illegal wildlife trade and therefore, we are actively engaging NGOs to join the fight.

The department is and always in good partnership with NGOs such as Mycat and WCS in organising public awareness programmes, joint patrolling in the protected areas and educating local and indigenous communities on the importance of wildlife conservation and how they can help to combat illegal wildlife trade.

The department is also actively conducting awareness programmes for various target groups particularly on wildlife conservation and the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 through talks, exhibitions, conservation education programmes, local community awareness programmes and public consultation.

A total of 997 awareness programmes were conducted in 2011, of which nearly a quarter or 245 programmes were related to local communities living around protected areas.

Until the third quarter of 2012, 586 awareness programmes were conducted.

The department constantly monitors restaurants selling wild meat and has identified the hot spots and will continue monitoring them closely.

In some cases, information from the public has led to the arrest of restaurant operators.

In 2011, 60 cases were brought to court and the highest fine meted out was RM100,000.

Up to the third quarter of 2012, there were 340 cases of infringement of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

The department is concerned about the involvement of the orang asli in supplying exotic meat to restaurants.

This is based on several arrests made by the department through its undercover operations in several states.

So far, 15 cases involving the orang asli were taken to court which resulted in fines and imprisonment.

It is the department’s hope that this will also serve as a deterrent and create awareness among the communities.

The department always welcomes constructive comments and suggestions from the public. Let us together move forward for the better management and conservation of wildlife with the enforcement of Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

The public is welcome to work together with the department in ensuring the sustainability of Malaysian wildlife. You can provide information on illegal activities related to wildlife through 1-300-80-1010 or 1800-88-5151.

DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND
NATIONAL PARKS (PERHILITAN)