SUNGAI PETANI: A total of 97 pangolins worth about RM100,000 were saved from ending up in the cooking pot following the arrest of a man here by the Kedah Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).
Its director Mohamad Hafid Rohani said the pangolins were found in a house and in the boots of two cars in Kampung Padang Buloh.
He said the pangolins, which are protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716), were seized following a tip-off.
“A man in his 40s has been arrested to assist in the investigations,” Mohamad Hafid said in a statement here yesterday.
If convicted, the suspect could be fined between RM50,000 and RM100,000 or face a maximum three-year jail term.
Mohamad Hafid said the attempt to smuggle the pangolins, which was already packed into bags, was foiled at about 5.15am yesterday, adding that the animals were believed to be meant for smuggling into Thailand.
“Each kilogram of pangolin is valued between RM300 and RM500 and the total seizure is worth about RM100,000,” he said, adding that the department had also seized two vehicles which were believed to be used in the smuggling activities.
The animals are now temporarily placed at the Perhilitan’s Terrapin Conservation Centre in Bukit Pinang, Alor Setar, and will be released to their natural habitat soon
