Back-to-back Sabah raids uncover ‘mini zoo’ and suspected wildlife meat trade

KOTA KINABALU, June 11 — Sabah wildlife authorities have seized a range of protected animals and wildlife products in two separate enforcement operations in Penampang and Tawau, detaining two local men suspected of possessing and trading wildlife without valid permits.

In the first operation conducted yesterday, a joint enforcement team raided a property in Kampung Nambazan, Penampang, and found several animals including a sambar deer, a barking deer, a Bornean crested fireback pheasant, three silver pheasants, two porcupines, a Malayan porcupine and a reticulated python.

The team, comprising the Marine Police Force’s Marine Intelligence Unit, the Penampang district police and the Sabah Wildlife Department, detained a 57-year-old local man for possessing the animals without a valid permit.

The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for the alleged possession of wildlife without the required permits or documentation. Those convicted can face fines of between RM30,000 and RM150,000, imprisonment of between six months and five years, or both.

Earlier today, another integrated operation in Tawau saw enforcement officers detain an 86-year-old local man at a house in Kampung Kalumpang along Jalan Tawau-Semporna, on suspicion of selling protected wildlife meat to tourists in Semporna.

A monkey is seen after being rescued during a wildlife enforcement operation in Tawau, Sabah. — Picture courtesy of Sabah Wildlife Department

The operation, conducted by the Wildlife Crime Bureau (WCB) Special Investigation Intelligence Unit together with the Sabah Wildlife Department, found a refrigerator believed to contain parts of protected wildlife, including venison, barking deer meat and porcupine meat.

Officers also rescued a live pangolin and a monkey during the raid.

The suspect was arrested to assist investigations under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for allegedly possessing protected wildlife and wildlife products without valid permits or documentation. If convicted, he faces a fine of between RM50,000 and RM250,000 and imprisonment of between one and five years.

The Sabah Wildlife Department reminded the public not to purchase wildlife or wildlife products from illegal sources, warning that such demand fuels poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking activities.

While certain wildlife species may be legally hunted or possessed under specific provisions of the law, buyers should ensure that sellers possess valid permits or supporting documentation before making any purchase.