Here’s a recent report on why overcoming wildlife crimes is an uphill task:
Poaching and smuggling of exotic wildlife here continues unabated as these wildlife crimes are aided by a “third force”.
That “force”, which goes by the unsavoury name of corruption, is considered the main challenge in combating such crimes.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun said, although the situation was not alarming in the state, there have been instances where, out of the blues, Borneo wildlife was recorded or photographed in other parts of the world, suggesting foul play at work.
“Suddenly, we see pictures on ‘Youtube’ or somewhere online, of some Borneo animals sitting comfortably in other parts of the world, for example wild cats.
“As far as we are concerned, it is impossible that wild cats are smuggled out (of the state) without our knowledge…it means some people have been opening doors for these people (smugglers).
“I can only say it must have cost the fellow for that door to be opened, because you don’t open doors for no reason and I can only see corruption as the main reason,” he told reporters after opening the Heart of Borneo (HoB) Wildlife Trade Regulation and Species Identification Course on Tuesday.
To address wildlife crimes, Masidi said the government had come up with three steps, namely: to ensure no poaching or illegal hunting was carried out, step up enforcement skills to detect new means of smuggling, and to keep tabs on the use of courier services to transport animals.
[Source: Bernama, June 23]
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I want to know why authorities do not confiscate the 15 yr old orangutan named Mely chained by a fisherman near the Sambas River. It is fed noodles and chili powder and can barely lift its arms due to malnutrition. It is now being highly publicized, and the issue makes Borneo look barbaric. Why doesn’t anybody do anything?