KUCHING, 20 April 2018:
The Marine Police seized 1,000 turtle eggs worth RM2,000 at a trading outlet in Sematan near Lundu, about 100km from here yesterday.
Sarawak Region Five Marine Police Force commander ACP Salehuddin Mat Zaman said in a statement a 37-year-old woman – who was looking after the premises – was detained to help in the investigation.
The sale and consumption of the eggs of all species of turtle are banned in Sarawak and are offences under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.
Salehuddin said a team from the Marine Intelligence Unit, headed by ASP Pangji B Eseng, seized the eggs and arrested the woman at 11am based on intelligence and public information.
He also urged members of the public who had information on such illegal activities to contact the Region Five Marine Police Force headquarters at 082-334111.
Meanwhile in TANJUNG MALIM, Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) launched the Sun Bear Conservation Programme – the first of its kind in the country – aimed at raising public awareness on the importance of conserving the endangered wildlife species.
FGV Group president and chief executive officer Datuk Zakaria Arshad said sun bear was selected as the iconic animal for the conservation programme as the species could be found in plantations owned by the Federal Land Development Authority or Felda.
“FGV feels responsible to take part in the conservation efforts of this animal. For the implementation of this programme, FGV has donated RM2.3 million as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative,” he said after the launch of the programme at the Felda Residence in Trolak, near here yesterday.
Zakaria said the comprehensive conservation programme was implemented in collaboration with the Peninsular Malaysia Wildlife and National Parks Department, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and the Malaysian Nature Society.
He said the programme, which commenced in 2015, had so far managed to rescue a total of 36 sun bears – with 25 of them released to their native habitat.
“This year, seven sun bears have been released and I’m sure more of the smallest species of bears will be released to their native habitats in future.”
– Bernama