Malaysia: Man held for keeping sun bear cub and protected birds

The Star 6 Aug 19;

JOHOR BARU: The Johor Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) detained a man for keeping a sun bear cub and several species of protected birds without permits in his business premises here.

Johor Perhilitan director Salman Saaban said four Perhilitan officers raided the premises at Jalan Padi Makmur, Bandar Baru Uda, at 4.30pm on Sunday after a tip-off.

“A 52-year-old man was arrested for keeping the protected animals without permits under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

“He was later released on police bail pending further action, ” Salman said in a statement yesterday.

Besides the female sun bear cub, nine rose-ringed parakeets, one sulfur-crested cockatoo and a blue-and-gold macaw were also found in the premises during the raid.

Salman said the estimated worth of the animals were RM37, 000 and were believed to be kept by the man for the past year as a hobby.

The case is being investigated under Section 60 and Section 68 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 for hunting or keeping protected animal species, he added. — Bernama