KUCHING: Sarawak Forestry recently received two pangolins from a Good Samaritan and they were later released into the wild at Semenggoh Nature Reserve, about 19km from here.
The pangolins were surrendered by Lai Ah Siew, a neighbourhood watch committee (Rela) officer from Sibu, who has been working closely with Sarawak Forestry in confiscating wildlife captured illegally.
It is believed that the pangolins which he had confiscated were planned to be used for trade.
Back to nature: The baby pangolin and its mother after they were set free into the wild at the Semenggoh Nature Reserve.
Also known as the scaly anteater and scientifically known as Manis javanica, the pangolins were a baby and its mother.
Sarawak Forestry corporate communications head Zulkifli Baba Noor said the pangolins were difficult to care for due to their complex nature and releasing them into the reserve was a good start, as the tropical rainforest was suitable for their survival.
Pangolins are categorised as protected wildlife in Sarawak.
He said Sarawak Forestry had released six pangolins in the reserve to date.
Sarawak Forestry chief executive officer Datuk Len Talif Salleh commended Lai for doing his part in protecting wildlife.
Len, who is also the Sarawak Forestry managing director, said: “It a testament of effective cooperation between the authority and the public, as members of the public are becoming aware of the importance of protecting wildlife.”
He stressed that, under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998, it was an offence to hunt, kill, capture, sell, import, export or be in possession of any protected or totally-protected animal.
Perpetrators of such offences could be fined up to RM50,000 and sentenced to five years in prison, he added.
“We will not tolerate such offences and take serious action against those who breach the ordinance,” he said.
“We are fortunate to have this species in our forest as they have been hunted for their meat and scales for a long time. Rampant poaching has caused them to face extinction.”
Len said: “It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our wildlife and prevent animal traders from profiting from the decreasing numbers of such beautiful creatures.
“We hope that places such as the Semenggoh Nature Reserve will be centres for all generations to enjoy the variety of animals found only in Borneo.
“We at Sarawak Forestry are thankful for the increasing release of pangolins as their lives in the reserve will lead to new generations of pangolins. It shows that we are in the right direction of preventing extinction.”
He stressed that Sarawak Forestry’s conservation efforts needed the assistance and cooperation of the public.
Len appealed to those with information or suspicious of illegal wildlife possession or trade, including illegal logging, to report to Sarawak Forestry through its hotlines at 019-885 9996 (Kuching), 019-829 0992 (Sibu), 019-826 6096 (Bintulu) and 019-829 0994 (Miri).
Source: The Star Online
Date: Tuesday July 5, 2011
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