KOTA KINABALU, Nov 14 —The Sabah Wildlife Department detained four individuals who were believed to have in their possession, protected wild animals and meat of protected animals.
The department’s director Augustine Tuuga said the first individual, a local restaurant owner, was detained after the department’s enforcement officers found meat of suspected protected species believed to be bearded pig, flying fox, civet and pangolin in the restaurant freezers.
“Inspection around the premise also found two live monitor lizards and two live reticulated pythons, also protected species, being kept in cages,” said Augustine in a statement here today.
He said the second and the third individuals, aged 60 and 61, were detained at Sungai Udin during a road block at Jalan Kalabakan-Tawau on Nov 13.
The lorry driver and passenger were detained after the enforcement officers found deer meat in their vehicle without permission or proper documents.
Augustine said the fourth individual, aged 34, was detained in the same road block after enforcement officers found meat, believed to be deer meat, inside his 4WD while travelling from Tawau to Kalabakan.
All suspects are being investigated under Section 41(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. — Bernama
