Foreigner arrested after gibbon, terrapins found in luggage at KLIA
SEPANG: A foreigner believed to be a wildlife smuggling "mule" was detained at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) after authorities found a black-handed gibbon and red-eared slider terrapins in his luggage.
The man from India was nabbed about 10pm on Sunday by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) in collaboration with KLIA auxiliary police.
Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the man was apprehended just as he was about to board a flight to Tiruchirapalli, India.
"A search of the 21-year-old man's luggage was conducted and revealed one black-handed gibbon and six red-eared slider terrapins.
"The (suspect) failed to produce any valid documentation for the wildlife in his possession," he said when contacted.
Kadir said the estimated value of the seized wildlife was RM12,200.
"Initial investigations revealed that the suspect acted as a mule, smuggling wildlife out of Malaysia by concealing them in luggage.
"The suspect is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008," he said.
Kadir warned the public against possessing or smuggling wildlife.
He said Perhilitan was committed to combating wildlife crime in order to ensure the sustainability of the nations natural heritage and biodiversity.
"We urge anyone with jnformation on such activities to come forward immediately," he said.
The black-handed gibbon, also known as the agile gibbon (Hylobates agilis), is an endangered species which can be found in Malaysia, Indonesia and southern Thailand.
The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is one of the most traded terrapin in the world.
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