Latest news with #SoffianAbuBakar
The Star
5 days ago
- General
- The Star
Snare traps remain a threat to Sabah wildlife
Bath time: A WRU ranger caring for Taburi at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. KOTA KINABALU: It has been almost three years but Taburi the elephant is still bearing the scar from a leg wound she suffered after getting tangled in a wire snare. Taburi was a calf of just about 1.2m in height when she was discovered by estate workers who heard her cries at an oil palm estate in Lahad Datu. They found the calf, scared and injured, and called the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) which sent a team from the Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU). The calf was brought to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre where round-the-clock attention was given by WRU rangers. Given the name Taburi, the elephant has since been thriving in the wildlife sanctuary it now calls home. WRU, in a Facebook post yesterday to highlight the dangers of snares, said Taburi was one of the 'lucky' ones as many other animals did not survive. 'Snare traps are cruel and indiscriminate. It takes only a single wire to destroy a life. Most victims are never seen. They die hidden, alone, and in pain,' it said. The rescue unit said Taburi's story is a call to action. 'Say no to snare traps. Support wildlife conservation and protection efforts. Let's make our forests safe again. Every life matters. Every trap removed saves a future,' said WRU. SWD director Soffian Abu Bakar said snare traps remain a threat to wildlife in Sabah. Throughout the years of operations against these traps, he said community rangers have found that there are a number of active traps in the jungles. 'We have also found traps set up for birds,' he said when contacted. Soffian said the department would continue to deal with issues linked to poaching through initiatives such as hiring community rangers and collaborating with other agencies to fight against wildlife crime. 'We have community rangers employed under the Biodiversity Protection and Patrolling Programme (BP3) working with our department officials and rangers,' he added.
Daily Express
26-05-2025
- Daily Express
3 Filipinos jailed, fined RM220,000 each for possessing Green Turtle parts
Published on: Monday, May 26, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 26, 2025 Text Size: KOTA MARUDU: Three Filipino nationals were sentenced today by the Kota Marudu court to one year in prison and fined RM220,000 each after being found guilty of possessing approximately 865 kilograms of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) parts stored in 39 sacks and 14 boxes. They were arrested by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officers on September 27, 2023, in Sabah waters near Simpang Mengayau, Kudat. The case was handed over to the Sabah Wildlife Department for further investigation and prosecution. They were charged under Section 41(1) of the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional eight months of imprisonment. 'This success reflects the strong inter-agency cooperation and our continued commitment to protect endangered marine species, especially the green turtle,' said Sabah Wildlife Department Director Mohd. Soffian Abu Bakar, who commended the swift action of the Kudat MMEA enforcement team. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
