Malaysia: On the trail of untrained and ill-equipped exotic pet owners

Edward R. Henry The Star 11 May 11;

THE Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) are taking extra measures to nab and charge exotic pet owners who abuse or illegally free the animals in urban areas.

Exotic pets require special care and often these animals become troublesome for its owners and end up being abandoned in urban areas to fend for themselves.

In recent times, people in Petaling Jaya have spotted a green iguana in a drain, civet cats (paradoxurus hermaphrodites) running on roofs of homes along Jalan SS2/16 and the Blyth’s River Frog (limnonectes blythii) with horn-like features in bushes in Taman Jaya.

There was also panic among residents in Petaling Jaya when there was news of an unidentified man who had freed a sack of snakes at a field in Jalan SS2/18. One of the snakes had slithered onto a tree branch and was killed by an owl.

Selangor Perhilitan director Rozidan Md Yasin said under no circumstances should exotic pets be set free in urban neighbourhoods.

“Youngsters today are going for exotic pets just for the thrill of it while others just want to show off that they own a rare creature. Some of these animals might carry diseases that humans can contract,” he said.

Rozidan added that buying an exotic pet might seem like a fun idea.

“But, exotic animals are difficult to care for even by the most dedicated pet owners. Most of the time, people get the pets when they are infants but as the creatues grow and the colour and size change, they start to look less attractive and the owners end up releasing them into the urban areas.”

“Recently we received a green iguana ­— a large, arboreal herbivorous species of lizard — native to Central and South America. The frantic individual turned it over to our department as he could no longer provide proper care,” he said.

Rozidan added that if the green iguana was released in the urban areas or in a forest it could create havoc on local plants and small animals or die if it cannot forage for food.

“If we manage to get the culprit, then he or she could be charged under Section 86 of the Cruelty to Wildlife Act. If found guilty he or she would be liable to a fine of not less than RM5,000 and not more than RM50,000 or a jail term not exceeding one-year or both,” he said.

Rozidan said the department could charge the offender under Section 88 for provocation of wildlife as the animal provoked or injured could become a danger to human life and the offender could be fined RM30,000 or jailed one year or both.

Last year, Perhilitan received 44 local protected animals while from January until March this year, nine animals were handed over to the department.

Six exotic animals were also handed to the department last year, while three were received so far this year.

Currently, Selangor Perhilitan is conducting briefings in neighbourhoods to educate people not to buy exotic animals and for those in possession of such rare animals, to register them with the department.

“We need to get the people to register their exotic animals before the new Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (716) comes into force in August. These laws are in place to protect the public, the environment and to help enforce humane standards for housing and care of exotic animals that do not fit as pets,” he said.

Owners of exotic animals who go to the briefings have come forward over the months to declare their animals like the Blyth’s River Frog, Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus), Holland Mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) and Tarantula (Coremiocnemis brachyramosa).

“Our enforcement officers also go undercover to nab poachers and animal traders.

“Last week, a male, Asian Bearcat or (Arctictis Binturong) was rescued by Perhilitan who bought the animal from an illegal trader,” he said.

Wildlife enforcement officers who posed as customers lured the poachers in Petaling Jaya to sell the protected animal after making contact in a website and closed the deal for RM800.

Both poachers have been arrested and would be charged soon under the Wildlife Conservation 2010 (Act 716) Section 68 for possession of a totally protected animal without a permit.

They could be fined not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both.

Measuring about one metre, the animal looking a little frightened and weighed about 23kg.

According to a source, the animal was meant for the cooking pot and it was kept in a small cage in a car and deprived of water.

For those wanting to hand over their exotic pets or get information can do so at Perhilitan, Jalan Lanar 8/15, Section 8 Shah Alam or call 03-5510 6328.