Animal rights groups call for action after lizards smuggled from India

New Straits Times

04-06-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Animal welfare groups are calling for greater public awareness of the consequences of wildlife trafficking, following reports of a passenger smuggling two monitor lizards from Malaysia to India.
They described the incident as an act of cruelty and stressed the urgent need for stronger enforcement and better public understanding of the impact of such crimes.
Malaysia Animal Association president Arie Dwi Andika said the authorities must better educate the public and traders on the proper procedures for obtaining licences for exotic animals, to prevent illegal smuggling.
He said the individual involved could face charges under two provisions of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Peninsular Malaysia), for smuggling and animal cruelty.
He added that those who deal with or trade in wildlife need to ensure all activities are carried out lawfully, to avoid breaching both local and international laws.
"The issue now is that by breaking the law, it's not just our domestic regulations that are violated, but international implications are involved as well, and this ultimately harms the image and credibility of the government," he told the New Straits Times today.
These comments come after Indian customs officials intercepted a passenger arriving at Tiruchirappalli International Airport from Kuala Lumpur with two monitor lizards hidden in his checked baggage.
Photos released by authorities showed the two reptiles with their mouths and limbs tightly bound and wrapped in black cloth.
Meanwhile, the Stray Animal Association of Malaysia president R. Kalaivanan said public education campaigns are essential to raise awareness of the environmental and legal consequences of trafficking.
He said transporting them in confined and unnatural conditions cause extreme suffering, stress, and often death.
Kalaivanan said the association strongly opposes such inhumane acts and remains committed to protecting vulnerable wildlife from exploitation.
"It is imperative that authorities and airlines take immediate and comprehensive actions to prevent wildlife trafficking.
"We urge for the implementation of cutting-edge technologies and stronger inspection protocols at all entry points, and staff must be thoroughly trained to identify and report suspicious activities, with heightened vigilance during peak travel periods," he said.
Kalaivanan said the association is also committed to working with local and international agencies to push for policy reforms that prioritise wildlife protection at all levels.
Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim had said they have yet to receive any reports on the smuggling.