The Star 27 Jul 17;
ALOR SETAR: Twelve protected birds of prey worth more than RM25,000 were seized by the Kedah Wildlife and National Parks Department with the arrest of a wildlife trafficker in Bukit Jenun, Pendang, near here.
Its director Muhammad Ali Che Aman said a 41-year-old man was nabbed at home after he failed to produce a permit to legally keep the birds, comprising the Crested Goshawk, Bat Hawk, Hawk Eagle and Collared Falconet.
“An eight-member team raided the premises on Tuesday and found the birds in the porch and at the back of the house with their feet tied.
“We are now trying to determine where the birds were caught so that they could be released back into their natural habitat,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Muhammad Ali added that action would be taken against the man for hunting totally protected wildlife.
He will be investigated under Section 68(2)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, which carries a fine of up to RM100,000, a jail term of not more than three years, or both, upon conviction.
Wildlife traffickers have turned to the Internet to sell protected animals through a popular online classified website as well as Facebook and WhatsApp.
Last year, a mechanic who sold protected birds in such a manner was arrested with a White-rumped Shama, Little Green Pigeon, a Black-shouldered Kite, a Blue-winged Leafbird, a Striped-throated Bulbul, a Slaty-breasted Rail and three Watercock.
12 eagles rescued from Kedah home, man arrested
SHARANPAL SINGH RANDHAWA The Star 26 Jul 17;
ALOR SETAR: Twelve eagles worth more than RM25,000 were rescued by the Kedah Wildlife and National Parks Department from a house in Bukit Jenun, Pendang, near here on Tuesday.
The department's director Muhammad Ali Che Aman said a 41-year-old man was also arrested after failing to provide any documents to prove he had legal possession of the eagles.
"Spurred by our intelligence report, a team of eight raided the premises and found the birds, some in the porch and others in the back of the house, with their feet tied to stop them from flying.
"Where the eagles came from, what they are for and the actual value of the birds are all under investigation. All I can say is that the value is in the thousands and the total could reach more than RM25,000," he said when contacted Wednesday.
Muhammad Ali said the eagles that were found are protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) and guilty parties, under Section 68(2)(a) of the same Act, could be fined not more than RM100,000 or face a jail term of not more than three years, or both.
He added that after receiving a court order, the eagles would be released to their natural habitat.
Among the species of eagles rescued were the accipiter trivirgatus, machearhamphus alcinus, spizaetus cirrhatus and the collared falconet (microhietax caerulescens).
Kedah Wildlife Department seized 12 eagles from man in Pendang
The Wildlife and National Parks Department have seized 12 protected eagles from a man in Bukit Jenun, Pendang.
EMBUN MAJID New Straits Times 26 Jul 17;
ALOR STAR: The Wildlife and National Parks Department have seized 12 protected eagles from a man in Bukit Jenun, Pendang.
Its state director Inche Ali @ Muhammad Ali Che Aman said the birds of different species including crested goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus), bat hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus) and collared falconet (Microhietax caerulescens).
He said a team of eight state Wildlife staff seized the birds after the man failed to produce a permit to keep the eagles.
“The birds are protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and the 41-year-old man is being investigated for keeping the birds without proper permit,” he said in a statement today.
He added that keeping protected birds without licence is an offence under Section 68(2(a) of the Act which carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or imprisonment up to three years’ or both, upon conviction.
He said the man has been released after he had his statement recorded.
