Mohd Farhaan Shah The Star 19 Mar 11;
JOHOR BARU: Sugar gliders are not meant to be kept as pets.
The nocturnal animal could cause an imbalance in the local ecosystem if released into the wild said Malaysian Nature Society Johor advisor Vincent Chow.
Chow added that although the animals are cute and adorable, not many people knew how to take care of them.
“Most buyers tend to get bored of them as they are only active at night and spend most of their time sleeping in the day.
“Because of this, many sugar gliders are released into the wild,” he said.
The mammal, added Chow, are not native to Malaysia.
A member of the marsupial family, the sugar glider can be found in Western Australian and Papua New Guinea.
Other species categorised as marsupials includes Koala, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Common Brushtail Possum, Virginia Opossum, and the Tasmanian Devil.
“The animals are also not used to our climate as it is hot and humid compared to their native home,” he said, adding that the change in climate could kill them.
Chow added that most owners also tend to change the natural diet of the sugar gliders who are more used to feeding on insects, nectar, pollen and fruits.
Their food were often substituted with pellets, which are often fed to rabbits.
“It is wrong for parents to encourage their children to keep such pets and we need to educate our society on why these animals should not be kept as pets.
“Buying sugar gliders and keeping them as pets are actually encouraging poachers and smugglers to smuggle the animals from the natural environment.”
Sugar gliders are sold as pets between RM150 to RM500 each.
In relation to the matter, Johor Wildlife and National Park department (PERHILITAN) director Saharudin Anan said the animal is not listed as a protected specie in the country.
“Pet stores do not require permits from the department to sell the animals however pet owner must be responsible in taking care of it,” he said.
It was recently reported that the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) had halted an attempt to smuggle in 200 sugar gliders into the country at Pengerang waters in Kota Tinggi.
