Malaysia: Poachers threaten Johor bird sanctuary

Mohd Farhaan Shah The Star 28 Apr 12;

JOHOR BARU: Poachers have entered the Panti Bird Sanctuary in Kota Tinggi to hunt and trap the wildlife that is supposed to be protected there.

The poachers, both locals and foreigners, have been active there for several years, said Malaysian Nature Society Johor branch chairman Vincent Chow.

He and several society members visited the sanctuary three weeks ago and came across camp sites.

“We were shocked to find a monkey's head and guts from an animal, perhaps a mousedeer or wild boar, near a river at the sanctuary.

“This is the work of poachers who came to the sanctuary and did as they pleased since there was no enforcement in the area,” he said.

Chow said it was a startling discovery as the number of animals and birds at the sanctuary had been decreasing over the years.

He said that five years ago, deer, monkeys, wild boars and tapirs roamed freely and could be easily seen.

“Once, there were more than 250 different types of birds such as the chestnut-necklaced partridge, crestless fireback, Storm's stork and Wallace's hawk-eagle.

“Now, it is hard to spot even five types of birds,” he said.

Chow added that there was no security at the sanctuary and there was no stopping the poachers from hunting down their prey.

He said the society had lodged a report with the Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).

Johor Perhilitan director Siti Hawa Yatim or officials from the department could not be reached for comment despite numerous attempts by The Star.