RM5.4 million worth of protected wildlife rescued at KLIA between 2023 and 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Between January 2023 and March 2025, an estimated RM5.4 million worth of protected wildlife species were rescued from being smuggled out through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the animals targeted for trafficking and smuggling include turtles, snakes, birds and primates, comprising local and exotic species.
"To date, Perhilitan has opened 10 investigation papers related to wildlife smuggling cases through KLIA during the same period.
"Most of these wild animals were being smuggled to South Asia, Indonesia and Vietnam," he told 'Harian Metro'.
Kadir added that baby siamangs, iguanas, various bird species, snakes, and turtles were among the most frequently smuggled animals, either in or out of the country.
The authorities were able to foil attempts to smuggle 4,200 exotic animals through KLIA, marking a 42 per cent increase compared with 2023. India recorded 56 foreign wildlife seizures in 2022, nearly half of which arrived via Kuala Lumpur.
"Typically, these animals are placed in plastic containers, wrapped in boxes or adhesive material, and checked in as luggage.
"However, such tactics have been thwarted in the cargo zone, thanks to intelligence work and cooperation between Perhilitan and other enforcement agencies," he said.
Kadir said that illegal wildlife trade and smuggling activities could have long-term impacts, particularly on endangered species in Malaysia.
In June 2024, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) donated two Belgian Malinois K9 detection dogs to Perhilitan to help combat wildlife smuggling activities at KLIA.
The dogs, named Van and Perry, were imported from the Netherlands and underwent intensive training with professional handlers to detect endangered species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, such as elephant ivory, rhinoceros horns, pangolin scales, snakes and turtles.
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