New Straits Times 13 Jun 13;
KUALA LUMPUR: Protection and conservation efforts should be stepped up to prevent wildlife from being killed by illegal traders in the country.
Natural Resources and Environment minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel raised the issue at the ministry's post cabinet meeting following the increase in illegal wildlife trade involving Malaysians.
Palanivel was concerned as Malaysians were playing a big role in the international trafficking trade.
He suggested creating more wildlife conservation parks and wildlife sanctuaries throughout forest areas.
He said currently, there was only one conservation park at Taman Negara and a tiger rescue sanctuary in Sungkai, Perak, which was doing a good job protecting and rehabilitating tigers.
"More wardens should be recruited to supervise the forest with 24-hour patrolling at hot spot forest areas where there high levels of poaching activities have been recorded."
Palanivel said suspected poachers spotted in forest areas should be arrested by game wardens and have their weapons seized.
He said efforts to educate the public on the wildlife conservation, especially of endangered species, should be beefed up.
He added that those who believed parts of wild animals had medicinal value, such as as an aphrodisiac, should be taught that their actions were doing more harm than good.
He said recent reports on illegal wildlife trade involving Malaysians had caught the attention of the ministry and reminded officers to be more proactive in curbing the problem.
"Poaching is a serious issue and I urge for continuous discussion on ways to prevent the problem from becoming more dire."
