Malaysia: Calls to punish perpetrator posting about illegal hunting on the Internet

Wong Pek Mei The Star 31 May 12;

PETALING JAYA: Wildlife trade monitoring network Traffic has lodged a police report, urging stern action be taken against the perpetrator posting about his illegal hunting activities on an online forum.

Traffic South-East Asia legal officer Shenaaz Khan, who lodged the report on May 22, said a forum member, who goes by the username “Marker November”, made several entries discussing his hunting activities on the forum.

“He repeatedly mentions hunting wildlife including sambar deer, barking deer, mousedeer and serow. He explains in detail how to find, track and hunt these animals including the weapons he uses,” said Shenaaz, who lodged the report at the Kelana Jaya police station.

The user has an avatar of a man posing with a weapon and an animal that appears to be a deer.

Shenaaz said there was a complete ban on the hunting of sambar deer and barking deer.

“The Wildlife and Natural Parks Department (Perhilitan) does not issue any hunting licence for these animals.

“Serow is a totally protected species and can only be hunted with a special permit,” she said.

She noted that Marker November acknowledged the serow's protected status and that hunting it was illegal, yet he had killed a serow.

In the online conversation, the user says: “Serow is an animal that is very protected and hunting this species is illegal. But when I see it crossing before my eyes, I can't just watch it go by. Even though it is illegal to shoot (it), it is halal for it to be eaten.”

Marker November also indicated in his postings that Gerik, Perak and Sg Tiang in Perak's Temenggor area were among his hunting sites.

“The illegal hunting of these animals is punishable by law under the Wildlife Protection Act 2010 and carries a mandatory prison term,” said Shenaaz.

She claimed that the website was a forum created by present and former army personnel.

“In the discussions, members talk about various issues pertaining to army procedures and practices,” she said.

Petaling Jaya deputy OCPD Supt Meor Hamdan Meor Mohamad confirmed the report.

Perhilitan: Don’t discuss wildlife hunting techniques online
The Star 2 Jun 12;

PETALING JAYA: Wildlife hunting techniques should not be discussed online because it will only encourage illegal hunting and poaching by irresponsible individuals, warned the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).

It condemned discussions on how to hunt, find and track animals, saying it could endanger wildlife protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

Perhilitan confirmed that it had received a report from wildlife trade monitoring network, Traffic, about an online user who posted his hunting activities on a forum.

He had allegedly written in detail how to trap and hunt protected animals such as the sambar deer and barking deer.

“We are very concerned with this development and are monitoring the forum,” Perhilitan said in a statement.

“We are also monitoring the hotspots mentioned in the forum and will not hesitate to take stern action against parties or individuals who commit offences under the Act.”

Traffic has also lodged a police report on the online user.

Perhilitan reminded the public that a five-year moratorium on deer hunting had been imposed. That means no hunting licence will be issued to hunt sambar deer and barking deer.

Illegal hunting of wildlife is punishable by up to RM500,000 fine or five years’ jail.

Perhilitan urged the public to come forward with any information on illegal wildlife-related activities in their area.