Perhilitan officers with some of the seized animals.
PETALING JAYA: Seven illegal wildlife traders, who operate using social media website Facebook, were nabbed by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) in an operation.
Perhilitan enforcement director Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the perpetrators were arrested under "Operasi Taring" which started on Jan 2 and added that the animals were worth about RM80,000.
Among the seized animals were a saltwater crocodile, juvenile eagles, a bear cub, a fox and even a slow loris.
"These are some of the main game players in the trade and we feel their arrest has weakened the link between the culprits in this illegal trade.
"Through these arrests, we will be able to control and eventually eradicate this growing trade which is being done via Facebook," he said during a press conference at the Perhilitan headquarters on Friday.
Abdul Kadir said in addition to the arrest, Perhilitan also seized three vehicles used by the suspects.
"These vehicles have been forfeited under Section 110 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716), while those found to have possession of protected wildlife will be charged under Section 68 (Act 716) of the same act.
"The accused will be subject to either a fine of RM100,000 or imprisonment for no more than three years or both.
"That said, we would like to advise the public to not encourage these trades, as it will eventually lead to the buyers bearing the loss," he said adding that Perhilitan will not issue a permit to keep the animal if the source is illegal.
He added that animal lovers who would like to keep such protected species should first get in touch with Perhilitan before buying them.
"We also urge those who have any information with regards to such illegal wildlife trades to come forward and issue a complaint either through our website or our hotline at 1300-80-1010 or 1800-88-5151," said Abdul Kadir.
