KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah wildlife department has arrested a 30-year-old man suspected of selling protected wildlife parts at the Tamu Tenghilan market in Tuaran.
Its director Soffian Abu Bakar said the man was detained during an operation at around 8.05am today, following information from the department’s intelligence unit regarding the sale of wildlife parts in the area.
“Items seized included several parts believed to be from protected wildlife displayed for illegal sale, among them two sun bear claws, one part of a sun bear paw, one sun bear tooth, one pangolin scale, one barking deer antler, and 16 porcupine quills.
“The man was detained for further investigation under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997,” he said in a statement.
Under the enactment, one must have a licence or permit issued by the department for any trade involving protected wildlife.
However, Soffian said the department does not issue permits for the trade, possession or storage of sun bears and pangolins as both species fall under the Totally Protected category.
Breaching this provision is punishable by a fine of between RM50,000 and RM250,000, as well as one to five years in prison.
