Huge profits drive illegal wildlife trade in Malaysia

M. Hamzah Jamaludin, New Straits Times 24 Mar 10;

With only 125 workers in vastly forested Pahang, it is near impossible for the state Wildlife and National Parks Department to put an end to poaching and smuggling of protected species, writes M. HAMZAH JAMALUDIN

WITH its vast forested areas, including permanent forest reserves, Pahang remains one of the main habitats for various animals, including protected species.

But the sheer size of its forests, which make up about 55 per cent of its total land area of 3.6 million hectares, also pose a challenge to the authorities, particularly the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), not only in terms of managing the animals but also the flora which long have been the target of poachers and smugglers.

It's also an uphill task for the enforcement agencies as Pahang has about 1.4 million ha of permanent forest reserves, including 331,959ha allocated for wildlife conservation.

The increase in the smuggling of protected animals and their parts in the past two years has raised concern among the public as it involves a high number of live reptiles and mammals which are protected under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972.

Although two cases were reported in 2008 and another four last year, the number of animals seized is alarming.

Based on Perhilitan statistics for 2008 and last year, clouded monitor lizard or "biawak tikus" topped the list of confiscated animals (4,476) followed by owls (319), scaly anteaters or "tenggiling" (130), water monitor lizards or "biawak air" (73) and pythons (11).

The statistics also reveal that throughout the same period, Perhilitan confiscated 22 paws and 25 feet belonging to the nearly extinct Malaysian honey bears.

In 2007, there was only one case, with 564 harlequin monitor lizards or "biawak serunai" confiscated.

"We view the increase positively as it reflects the effectiveness of our enforcement officers taking action against the culprits, with the cooperation from the public," says state Perhilitan director Khairiah Mohd Shariff.

Khairiah, who took over the post last year, admits that public awareness is important as many of the department's successes relied on their tip-offs.

She says many people are aware of the importance of preserving wildlife, which made up part of the complex and fragile ecosystem.

"With only 125 employees in Pahang, it would be impossible for Perhilitan to check on poaching and smuggling of protected animals throughout the state.

"That's why we are working with other agencies and the public who can act as our eyes and ears on the ground," she says, adding that Perhilitan headquarters in Selangor has the facilities and deoxyribonucleic acid databank to trace the origin of an animal or its parts.

Apart from police and the Forestry Department, Perhilitan also works closely with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the armed forces as smugglers normally transported the animals via remote jungle treks and coastal areas.

In Pahang, smuggling syndicates are also exploiting the Orang Asli and foreigners while local fishermen are roped in to transport animals to bigger boats in the open seas.

Most of the animals are destined for overseas markets where they fetch a high price.

Clouded monitor lizards, for example, are sold for RM40 per kilogramme here but cost triple in Hong Kong and China.

Khairiah reveals that Malaysian honey bear feet fetch around RM4,000 per piece.

"The demand is high and that's why the syndicates are willing to pay the Orang Asli and local poachers handsomely. They also provide these people with handphones for better communication and to avoid our officers."

Khairiah says as part of Perhilitan's proactive measures, it had embarked on a programme to educate the Orang Asli and their schoolchildren on the importance of wildlife.

"This takes time but it has shown positive results. Now, we note that many Orang Asli have stopped selling the protected species while the number of our informers, comprising Orang Asli, has also increased every year."

Perhilitan, she adds, has pressed for stiffer penalties.

Khairiah says the public could get more information on protected species and the existing laws from its website.

She urges those with information on smuggling and poaching activities in Pahang to contact her at 019-9147883 or email pahang@ wildlife.gov.my

Orang Asli among the main culprits
New Straits Times 24 Mar 10;

MOTORISTS along the Kuantan-Muadzam Shah road will notice Orang Asli traders selling exotic plants and jungle produce at makeshift stalls.

There are times when they also sell various types of animals and exotic birds, including hornbills and parakeets.

But the number has dwindled because of frequent checks by state Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) officers in the past few months.

A stall owner, Andong (not his real name), claims the Orang Asli are allowed to catch the animals and sell them to make a living.

"If we cannot sell them here, we have ready buyers elsewhere. They will come and collect the animals at our homes," says Andong, who owns a stall on the stretch.

He also claims many of the Orang Asli are provided with handphones by regular buyers.

Andong admits Perhilitan officers encourage the Orang Asli to only sell forest produce, apart from helping the authorities to stop the smuggling of protected animal species.

"I have to continue catching the animals as I need money to support my growing family," says the father of eight from Simpang Chini.

Under the Protection of the Wildlife Act 1972, the Orang Asli are allowed to kill only certain species of animals for their consumption.

However, they are not allowed to catch or kill protected species.

Thai restaurateurs buyers of pangolins
New Straits Times 24 Mar 10;

SUNGAI Mentua and Pengkalan Kubor in Tumpat have been identified as the main routes for smuggling exotic animals across the border, says Pengkalan Kubor marine commanding officer Deputy Superintendent Tan Cheng San.

He says the two routes are favoured by smugglers as the spots are in remote areas.

"We have discovered that the two spots are regularly used to smuggle exotic animals and we are stepping up our vigilance in these areas," he says.

There is high demand for exotic animals, particularly pangolins, from Thai restaurant operators.

"Although the animal is priced between RM200 and RM300 per kilogramme, the restaurateurs are willing to pay the amount as they still can make a tidy profit from the dishes."

Tan says the Pengkalan Kubor marine police recorded two cases of pangolin smuggling this year.

In the latest case two weeks ago, the marine police seized six pangolins worth RM24,000 from a Thai smuggler.

Pangolin (manis javanica) is fully protected under the Wildlife Act 1972.

Grace period to educate officers
New Straits Times 24 Mar 10;

THE Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is defending its move to give a six-month grace period before enforcement of the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 (Intesa).

The other two regulations which come under the act are the Permits, Certificates, Registrations and Fee Regulations and the Rescue Centre Regulations.

Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas says the grace period is essential to enable officers of the relevant departments and agencies to enhance and increase their knowledge of Intesa.

"The move is also to ensure that enforcement can be carried out in full and in a clear manner after the grace period ends."

In addition, he says, private pet owners, particularly of endangered species, must obtain special permission between Feb 17 and June 28.

"If we enforced it straightaway, there will be lots of pet lovers in a dilemma. This is the reason we are giving them the grace period."

He also says the enforcement of the act is one way to enable ministry officers to come down hard on poachers and smugglers of protected and endangered species.

The minister says the enforcement is in line with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

He acknowledges that Malaysia has long been accused of being a hub of illegal export of endangered species. "Even in a geographical magazine, there were accusations hurled against us and all are baseless," he tells the New Straits Times.

"As far as we are concerned, we have been proactive in monitoring such activities."

One of the measures to curb illegal export of endangered species is the tightening of procedures in the issuance of permits.

"Now, we have set up a committee, chaired by me, to approve all these permits. We will make sure that all things are properly vetted.

He says the ministry has also taken steps to work closely with the Orang Asli community.

Geography siding with smugglers
New Straits Times 24 Mar 10;

PAHANG'S long shoreline and mangrove estuaries have always been exploited by smugglers, including those involved in the exotic animal trade.

To date, the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has identified dozens of "hot spots" along coastal areas and small jetties used by smugglers to transport various protected and endangered species.

However, the ongoing fight to curtail their activities is hampered by the syndicates' modus operandi and ability to shift operations from one location to another to avoid detection.

One of the popular spots is Tanjung Punai, Kuantan, also known as Pulau Biawak (monitor lizard island).

The area, located quite close to the town, is littered with squatter houses and small jetties.

"They normally carry out their illegal activities between 3am and 4am," says Zulkafli Mohamad, a 36-year-old residing in Tanjung Punai.

He claims that the syndicate will also pay foreigners, who are crew members of deep-sea trawlers, to catch the monitor lizards which can be found in abundance in the area.

"These people, especially those from Thailand, are very good at catching monitor lizards. They use bath towels instead of snares to catch them without injuring them. The reptiles' claws will get entangled when they run on the towels."

Zulkalfi, a lorry driver, also showed the spots where monitor lizards can be found in big numbers in Tanjung Punai.

"The reptiles are easy to catch as they are not afraid of humans. They normally eat the leftovers dumped by a fish processing factory nearby."

Zulkafli also pointed out some of the spots used by illegal traders to smuggle out the exotic animals.

"These areas are secluded and only a few people know how to get there. The locals are keeping themselves away from such activities as they are afraid of the syndicate members," he says.

On the origin of Pulau Biawak's name, Zulkafli says the area gained notoriety not because of the monitor lizards but because of an incident in the 1980s when villagers were caught eating in daytime during Ramadan.