Malaysia: Sabah authorities discover remains of protected wildlife in cooler box

Poliana Ronnie Sidom New Straits Times 6 Aug 18;

BELURAN: The remains of several protected animals were discovered in a four-wheel-drive vehicle during a road block operation by the Sabah Wildlife Department at Jalan Paitan here, yesterday.

The animals comprised two foxes, a python, a deer and a wild boar, all of which were concealed in a cooler box.

District Wildlife officer Hussien Muin said two men, aged 33 and 34, were in the vehicle when it was stopped by the Department’s enforcement team at 6.45am.

“We carried out the road block following a public tip-off on (possible smuggling of protected wildlife).

“We have lodged a police report over the seizure at the Beluran police station,” he said in a statement.

Hussien added that the duo will be investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for possessing wildlife without a permit.

The operation, which included the Honorary Wildlife Warden team, was led by Wildlife assistant officer Mohd Aznandy.