Malaysia: Group airs videos in fight against illegal wildlife trade

The Star 30 Oct 16;

KOTA KINABALU: An organisation championing Asian biodiversity has posted four video clips on Facebook in its war against illegal wildlife and bushmeat traders.

The Kinabatangan-based Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) aims to discourage the sale and consumption of such wildlife products.

Its three-minute videos, which were jointly produced with the Sabah Wildlife Department and nature photography firm Scubazoo, contain graphic footage of slaughtered or caged animals.

DGFC director Dr Benoit Goossens said he hoped the clips would eventually be aired onboard flights coming to Malaysia, especially those arriving from China and Hong Kong.

He also said he would meet with state Tourism, Culture and Envir­onment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun soon to ask for his help in getting the videos screened on the flights, at airports and in cinemas.

“The message we want to send is that those caught eating food like pangolin meat are liable to a RM5,000 fine.

“Eating illegal bushmeat can turn out to be a very expensive meal,” Dr Goossens added.

He said the clips – which are in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin – would also encourage the public to report illegal wildlife trade to the authorities.

He said DGFC uploaded the clips on social media because the sale of illegal bushmeat and wildlife products had become rampant on such sites.

“We have seen someone trying to sell a sun bear cub on Facebook.There are also those selling bushmeat on Instagram and WhatsApp.

“This is a serious situation in Malaysia and we want to do our part in addressing this problem,” Dr Goossens added.