KUALA TERENGGANU, Sept 29 — The Kuala Terengganu Region Three Marine Police Force (PPM) and Terengganu Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) seized more than 50 protected birds and 60 cages worth RM709,950 in an integrated operation near Kampung Binjai Manis, Manir, here Sunday.

PPM Region Three commander ACP Mohd Khairuddin Jamal said all the birds found during the operation yesterday afternoon were protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716).

He said 38 of the birds were believed to be red-whiskered bulbuls, nine banded pittas and two white-rumped shamas.

“Various other bird species suspected to be protected were also found, including greater leafbirds, orange-bellied flowerpeckers, yellow-bellied sunbirds and red-whiskered bulbuls. Sixty cages were also seized,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The raiding team inspected six houses and arrested a man and two women, aged between 23 and 46, who were suspected of keeping wildlife without a licence from Perhilitan.

“All those detained, together with the exhibits, were taken to the Kuala Terengganu Police Station for further investigation under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716), including Sections 60(1)(A) and 68(1)(A), subject to the findings of the Perhilitan investigation,” he said.

Khairuddin said the operation involved personnel from the Kuala Terengganu and Tasik Kenyir sectors of the Region Three Marine Police Force, as well as 14 Terengganu Perhilitan officers. — Bernama