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MALAYSIA-CRIME-WILDLIFE
Malaysia seizes over 600 protected animals
KUALA LUMPUR, June 8, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – More than 600 protected animals,
including geckos, snakes and tarantulas, have been seized in a series of
raids in Malaysia, officials said Friday.
Tropical Malaysia is home to a kaleidoscope of exotic animals, but the
illegal wildlife trade remains a major problem as many of the creatures fetch
a high price on the black market.
The seizures from late May to early June netted live animals, as well as
eggs and bones, worth an estimated 200,000 ringgit ($50,000), said wildlife
department chief Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim.
Three people were arrested in the raids. Some of the animals were
destined to be sold as pets while others were to be eaten, said Abdul Kadir.
In the first raid, over 240 animals were found in a house in the northern
city of Ipoh. They included geckos, tarantulas, tortoises, iguanas and
scorpions.
A second raid in Selangor state saw 385 live animals, mostly frogs and
snakes, and 30 eggs seized.
A gibbon and two civet cats were seized from a man in the state of Negeri
Sembilan in a third raid.
People caught illegally keeping protected animals face a maximum jail
term of three years and a maximum fine of 100,000 ringgit.
BSS/AFP/RY/1755 hrs