Latest news with #WildlifeConservationAct
New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Animal lovers outraged as man spray-paints monkey
KUALA LUMPUR: Two viral video clips circulating on social media showing a man spray-painting a monkey have sparked anger from animal lovers. In the clips, purportedly filmed in a residential area in Sungai Buloh, the monkey can be seen struggling in a cage as paint is sprayed on its body. The Stray Animal Association of Malaysia (SAFM) president, R. Kalaivanan, condemned the man in the video and called for action to be taken against him. "SAFM urges witnesses to step forward and lodge a report with the police and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) so that action can be taken," he said in a statement. Kalaivanan said SAFM also wants Perhilitan to investigate the matter and take swift action. He said that under Section 86 of the Wildlife Conservation Act, the perpetrator can be fined up to RM50,000, jailed for up to a year, or both, if convicted. "There is no room for cruelty against wildlife, and we will continue to monitor the development of this case," he said. Many social media users condemned the man's actions, describing them as a form of abuse and calling on the authorities to rescue the monkey before more harm comes to it.
The Star
16-05-2025
- The Star
Director pleads not guilty to wildlife deception charges
Charged: Chan being escorted out after he pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court in Kuantan, Pahang. — Bernama KUANTAN: A company director pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court to a charge of deceiving the director of the Pahang Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) by concealing details regarding a RM68,000 sale of two white lions and a Eurasian lynx to Melaka Zoo. Datuk Chan Kong San, 64, made the plea after the charge against him was read before judge Sazlina Shafie. Chan is accused of deceiving Pahang Perhilitan director Rozidan Md Yasin by concealing the sale of the animals to Melaka Zoo by Sentoria Themeparks and Resorts Sdn Bhd, in violation of the Wildlife Conservation Act. This led the Pahang Perhilitan director to refrain from obstructing Sentoria Themeparks and Resorts Sdn Bhd's application to transfer protected wildlife under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, as it was presented as a handover to Melaka Zoo. This was based on a letter titled 'Disposal of Scheduled Wildlife to Zoo Melaka (Species Protected by the WCA 2010)' dated March 11, 2021, Bernama reported. The director would not have approved the application had he known it involved a sale rather than a transfer. The offence was allegedly committed at the Pahang Perhilitan office on March 11, 2021. The charge is framed under Section 415(b) of the Penal Code and is subject to the penalties outlined in Section 417 of the same law, which stipulates a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction. The deputy public prosecutor of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Sharina Farhana Nor Sha'ari, proposed bail set at RM25,000. This offer included additional conditions requiring Chan to report to the MACC in Putrajaya once a month and to surrender his passport to the court until the case is resolved. Lawyer Datuk Bob S. Aramugam, representing Chan, appealed for a lower bail on the grounds that his client's business was declining. The court approved bail of RM15,000 in one surety, along with the additional conditions requested by the prosecution, and scheduled a mention date for July 29.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Karnataka forest minister says ‘Jumbos unable to distinguish between plantation and forest areas'
Bengaluru: Regretting human casualties due to elephant attacks in various parts of Karnataka, forest minister Eshwar Khandre Friday said elephants are unable to distinguish between plantations and forests. Consoling the family of Shanmukha at Baikere village in Sakaleshpur taluk of Hassan, who was killed by a wild elephant a few days ago, Khandre blamed human-elephant conflicts on encroached forest and grazing (gomala) land in rural areas. Stating he is visiting the human-elephant conflict-hit Hassan district for the sixth time in the last two years, Khandre said, "I visited the families of elephant attack victims in the past and am now also visiting the family of Shanmukha. Our (govt's) view is that there shall not be any casualty due to wildlife conflicts in the state. But it is unfortunate that such incidents are being repeated despite the best of our conservation efforts." The minister directed forest officials to set up a unit of the Elephant Task Force at Bikkodu village and disseminate information to villagers on the movement of elephants in the region. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Cautioning the villagers in Sakaleshpur, Khandre explained to them that jumbos are unable to differentiate between plantations and forest areas. "Wildlife scientists have revealed elephants have a strong memory, and they keep moving through the locations that were used by their predecessors. The elephant population increased in Karnataka due to stern implementation of the Wildlife Conservation Act . However, there has been no increase in the ratio of forest area. This, apart from rampant encroachment of forest and grazing land in and around villages, has further contributed to the problem," the minister briefed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10 Retirement Blunders to Avoid Fisher Investments UK Learn More Undo Responding to a question that several villagers around Sakaleshpur and Belur, impacted by the elephant attack, are increasingly coming forward to sell off their agricultural lands to the forest department, Khandre clarified, "We will examine whether we can expand the forest area with these lands and resolve the human-elephant conflict . I also requested the chief minister to convene and chair a meeting of multiple departments for better coordination to address the elephant conflict." The state govt increased the compensation to wildlife attack victims from the existing Rs 15 lakhs to Rs 20 lakhs, and the family of Shanmukha was given a Rs 20 lakh compensation cheque. "The family of the victim is demanding a govt job, and the state govt rules do not permit such demands. Nevertheless, I will personally discuss this demand with the CM and make a sincere effort in that direction," he clarified.
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Khandre visits family of farmer who died in elephant attack; promises measures to mitigate human-elephant conflict
Shivamogga Expressing disappointment over the repeated incidents of elephant attacks in Hassan district, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has said he had appealed to the Chief Minister to convene a meeting of officers to resolve the issue. Mr. Khandre spoke to the media on Friday after visiting the family of Shanmukha at Baikere in Sakleshpur, who died in an elephant attack on April 25. The Minister said the department had been taking all measures to avoid deaths in elephant attacks. 'Even after our sincere efforts, we are witnessing deaths. This is unfortunate. Not even one person should die due to elephant attacks', he stated. The wild elephants did not differentiate between forestland and agricultural land. 'According to experts, elephants tread in the path that their ancestors marched. The number of elephants has increased due to the effective implementation of the Wildlife Conservation Act. However, the forest cover has not extended in tune with the number of wild elephants,' he said. Mr. Khandre said he would direct officers to open a unit of the elephant task force at Bikkodu in Belur taluk and alert the local people on the movement of elephants. He also appealed to the public to be cautious and follow the instructions of the department. Referring to an appeal by a section of farmers to extend the forest cover by purchasing their private land to address the human-elephant conflict, the Minister said the department would verify whether the conflict could be mitigated by extending the forest cover. He had requested the Chief Minister to hold a meeting with officers of all departments concerned on the issue. Further, the Minister said the government had decided to give ₹20 lakh to the families who lost their member in elephant attacks. Shanmukha's family had received the amount. 'The family wants a government job. As per the existing rules, there is no provision to offer government job. However, I will discuss the issue with the Chief Minister,' he added. The Minister was accompanied by Hassan MP, Shreyas M. Patel, Sakleshpur MLA, 'Cement' Manju, Hassan DCF, Sourabh Kumar, and other officers of the department. Ends/ photo available
