Restaurant Raid Reveals Tiger Parts
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2011-03-16 16:02:19 |
A Malaysian restaurant owner could face up to $196,000 (USD) in fines, as well as time in prison, after authorities found several animal parts and meat from protected species, including dried tiger parts.
Officers from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in Pahang, a state on the Malaysian east coast peninsula, found around 17kg of Common Barking Deer meat, 54 Argus Pheasant feathers, two skinned Mouse Deer and a White-breasted Waterhen when they raided the man's house and shop on March 15.
The dried tiger parts, which were discovered sealed in a glass jar, along with dried parts of several other animals, will be sent for forensic analysis.
Perhilitan Director, Khairiah Mohd Shariff, said that the findings are significant because the village of Kubang Rusa, where they were found, lies within the country's most important tiger corridor.
Malaysia's Tiger Conservation Action Plan identifies this corridor, Sungai Yu, as a vital link between the Taman Negara national park and the Main Range, two of the country's most important tiger conservation areas.
The suspect is a second-time offender, having been convicted in 2008 for being in possession of Barking Deer meat without a permit. He could potentially face two charges under Section 68 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 for keeping the tiger parts and Argus Pheasant feathers without a permit. Possession of certain protected species, such as tigers, also carries a mandatory jail sentence.
Currently pending trial, the suspect also faces three further charges under Section 60 of the same Act for keeping the protected White-breasted Waterhen and other exotic meat without a permit.
In clampdown operations this month, Perhilitan Pahang seized wild boar meat from houses in the town of Triang, and are expected to charge two local men and a woman for possession without a licence. Earlier in February, officers also seized a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and two Blue-crowned Hanging Parrots from a man in Janda Baik. All the suspects will face heavy fines under the new law, which came into force in December 2010.
Throughout operations this year, Perhilitan Pahang has also seized four guns, including one home-made gun, from people who have committed hunting offences in the State.
Mr Shariff has expressed his concern over the abuse of weapons for illegal hunting and told a press conference that Perhilitan would not hesitate to use its powers under the new law to confiscate guns, and seek police assistance in revoking weapon licences where needed.
Southeast Asia's Regional Deputy Director, Chris R. Shepherd, from TRAFFIC, the Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network, said on their website that: “It is wildlife traders such as this one that have given Malaysia a reputation as being a poaching hotspot and trade hub.
“The authorities are to be applauded for taking action, especially in such a critical Tiger landscape. TRAFFIC urges the authorities to penalize this man and others like him to the full extent of the law to further deter such crime, and to demonstrate just how serious they are about protecting Malaysia's natural heritage.”
By Elzanne van der Watt
[Image courtesy of Superwebdeveloper]