Bernama 4 Nov 09;
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Fifty-nine pythons were rescued from being skinned for exotic leather luggage for the international market.
Thanks to swift action by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), the regal pythons (python retuculatus species) were found at a store in Sungai Pelek, Sepang when its wildlife crime unit mounted a raid last Monday.
Initial investigations revealed that the pythons were in the midst of being exported to the leather markets of Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore.
Also seized at the store were 65 python and lizard skins worth about RM30,000.
Perhilitan (law and enforcement) division director Saharudin Anan said the wildlife crime unit officers found that the pythons were bought by an unlicensed party.
"We found the pythons, together with python and lizard skins, in a store," he said Wednesday, adding that they were protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
He said that the owner of the premises, in his 40s, had misused his licence in buying snakes from unlicensed wildlife catchers.
"A licenced wildlife buyer can only buy species from wildlife catchers licenced by Perhilitan," said Saharudin, adding that besides being a delicacy, the pythons were also used for leather goods.
They were usually exported to countries such as Singapore, Vietnam and Hong Kong, he noted.
Saharudin said python meat was sold for RM30 per kilogramme, while its skin was valued at between RM30 to RM50 ringgit a metre.
Lizard skin was sold for between RM40 to RM50 a piece, he said.
-- BERNAMA
Malaysia rescues 59 pythons from dinner table: official
AFP Google News 5 Nov 09;
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian wildlife authorities rescued 59 pythons from being skinned and sold to restaurants and leather dealers, an official said Thursday.
Wildlife and National Parks Department enforcement head Saharudin Anan said the pythons were rescued in a raid last Monday from a warehouse south of the capital.
"We found the pythons, together with python and lizard skins in the store where they were in the midst of being sold," he told AFP.
He added that two individuals had been arrested and were being investigated under the Wildlife Act.
"The python meat would end up on dinner tables in the region while the skins would be used in making exotic leather luggage for international markets in Hong Kong, Singapore and Vietnam," he added.
Wildlife groups say the trafficking of wildlife, for use in traditional medicine or to be eaten in kitchens abroad, has hit alarming levels in Malaysia.
Authorities in recent months have seized tiger skins, the remains of civet cats, long-tailed monkeys and wild boars that were destined for sale in neighbouring countries.
