Latest news with #EasternGreyGibbons
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Malaysia, India may team up over wildlife smuggling
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) has pledged to work with Indian authorities following the arrest of a passenger caught smuggling two exotic monitor lizards from Kuala Lumpur to India. MCBA Air Domain director Zuhailah Jalani said that while there has been no prior collaboration with Indian authorities, they are open to working together to curb such smuggling attempts. "To date, we have not had any cooperation with Indian Authorities but we are willing to aid in their investigation if there is any request from them. "Moving forward, MCBA will seek to collaborate with the authorities there through the Indian Embassy and other international organisations," she told the New Straits Times. Zuhailah's remarks comes after Indian airport authorities busted a passenger smuggling two protected monitor lizards in his checked baggage upon arrival from Kuala Lumpur, highlighting India's lucrative illegal wildlife trade. Acting on intelligence, officers from the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) at Tiruchirappalli International Airport in Tamil Nadu, uncovered the reptiles during an inspection. Meanwhile, Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the department would maintain close communications with the Indian authorities. "We will contact the Indian authorities through Interpol National Central Bureau Kuala Lumpur to gather further information on the case," he said. Photos released by authorities showed the two reptiles with their mouths and limbs tightly bound before being wrapped in black cloth. Their legs were also secured with tape, highlighting the cruel methods used in wildlife smuggling. In a statement issued in April, the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) raised concern over Kuala Lumpur International Airport's ongoing role as a key transit hub in the illegal wildlife trade. In early March, two individuals boarded a flight to Chennai with a suitcase containing eight exotic animals, including Eastern Grey Gibbons, marbled polecats, a silvery lutung, and a Sumatran white-bearded palm civet, it had said in a statement. Three baby siamang gibbons were found dead.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Passenger caught smuggling two monitor lizards at Indian Airport
KUALA LUMPUR: Indian airport authorities busted a passenger smuggling two exotic monitor lizards in his checked baggage upon arrival from Kuala Lumpur, highlighting India's lucrative illegal wildlife trade. Acting on intelligence, officers from the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) at Tiruchirappalli International Airport in Tamil Nadu, uncovered the reptiles during an inspection. "Officers of AIU Trichy airport on the basis of intelligence intercepted a passenger who arrived from Kuala Lumpur to Trichy ... and the examination of his checked in baggage resulted in the recovery of two monitor lizards," said a communication posted in the X platform of the Trichy Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate yesterday. Photos released by authorities showed the two reptiles with their mouths and limbs tightly bound before being wrapped in black cloth. Their legs were also secured with tape, highlighting the cruel methods used in wildlife smuggling. "Further investigations are ongoing," it added. NST has reached out to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) for comment. Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim last month said it had deployed 20 officers to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) as part of intensified efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade. The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has described the smuggling of exotic wildlife through KLIA as a "national embarrassment". In a statement issued in April, CAP expressed alarm over KLIA's continued role as a major transit point in the illegal wildlife trade. In early March, two individuals boarded a flight to Chennai with a suitcase containing eight exotic animals, including Eastern Grey Gibbons, marbled polecats, a silvery lutung, and a Sumatran white-bearded palm civet, it had said in a statement. Three baby siamang gibbons were found dead. Meanwhile, Kadir said that India offers a large market, making it a prime target for wildlife smuggling syndicates. "In addition to being sold as pets, the black market there highly values rhino horns, pangolin scales, and tiger bones for traditional medicine purposes," he said. India has emerged as the main destination, accounting for nearly 73 per cent of wildlife smuggling cases. Based on the information, the airports in Chennai and Mumbai are identified as the main hubs for this illegal trade.
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Crackdown at KLIA: Wildlife officers deployed to tackle smuggling surge
KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) has deployed 20 officers to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) as part of intensified efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade. Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said its officers have been integrated into the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MBCA). They now work alongside other enforcement bodies, including the police, Customs Department, General Operations Force (GOF), Anti-Smuggling Unit, Health Ministry enforcers, Road Transport Department (JPJ), Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis), and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). "Through this cooperation, attempts to smuggle protected wildlife, especially to India, have been successfully thwarted at the main exit points of the country," he was quoted as saying by Harian Metro. "The rise in smuggling cases involving protected wildlife via KLIA to major Indian cities is linked to the growing demand from that country." The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has described the smuggling of exotic wildlife through KLIA as a "national embarrassment". In a statement issued in April, CAP expressed alarm over KLIA's continued role as a major transit point in the illegal wildlife trade. In early March, two individuals boarded a flight to Chennai with a suitcase containing eight exotic animals, including Eastern Grey Gibbons, marbled polecats, a silvery lutung, and a Sumatran white-bearded palm civet, it had said in a statement. Three baby siamang gibbons were found dead. Meanwhile, Kadir said that India offers a large market, making it a prime target for wildlife smuggling syndicates. "In addition to being sold as pets, the black market there highly values rhino horns, pangolin scales, and tiger bones for traditional medicine purposes," he said. Kadir added that Perhilitan has achieved numerous successes, including the arrest of individuals attempting to smuggle various wild animals such as siamangs, turtles, orangutans, gibbons, koel birds, monitor lizards, and others to India. India has emerged as the main destination, accounting for nearly 73 per cent of wildlife smuggling cases.
