Latest news with #WildlifeConservationAct2010
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
GOF seizes six protected species of birds in raid on shop
RANTAU PANJANG: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized six birds of the 'Murai Batu' (White-rumped Shama) and 'Dendang Selayang' (Black-naped Oriole) species in a raid at a shop in Kampung Bukit Tandak, here, yesterday. GOF Southeast Brigade GOF Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said the birds were seized during Op Taring Wawasan carried out at noon. "During the raid, the GOF personnel discovered 22,000 sticks of white cigarettes hidden in a toilet of the premises. "Upon further inspection outside the premises, they found five 'Murai Batu' birds and one 'Dendang Selayang', both protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. "A 44-year-old local man, believed to be the caretaker of the premises, was detained. The birds as well as the cigarettes, believed to have been smuggled from a neighbouring country, were seized," he said today. Ros Azhan said the estimated total seizure value was RM56,000. "The case has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department of Pasir Mas district police station and the state Wildlife department for further action," he added. The case is being investigated under Section 135(e) of the Customs Act 1967 and Schedules (1) and (2) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
The Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Dark side of keeping snakes as pets
PETALING JAYA: The rising trend of keeping snakes as exotic pets in Malaysia, including venomous and protected species, has sparked alarm among conservationists and authorities, who warn that the practice is not only dangerous but often illegal. Concerns are mounting over public safety, animal cruelty and the exploitation of endangered wildlife, as authorities investigate reports of live animals, including stray cats being used as snake feed. Wildlife and National Parks Department director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the ownership, trade and keeping of snakes in Peninsular Malaysia are regulated under two legislations, the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 [Act 716] and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 [Act 686]. The latter enforces the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 'Certain snakes are categorised as either 'protected' or 'totally protected',' he said. 'Protected species may be kept with a valid licence, while totally protected species generally cannot be owned privately unless for approved scientific or conservation purposes.' He added that any species listed under the CITES appendices cannot be kept or traded without a special permit, especially in international transactions. Individuals who wish to import, export, sell or keep snakes listed under Act 716 or Act 686 must apply for a licence or special permit from the department. 'The approval of such permits is not automatic and subject to several considerations, including the conservation status of the species, intended purpose (such as research or education) and experience and capacity to safely handle wildlife.' He also said the department imposes stringent controls on venomous snakes such as cobras (Naja kaouthia, Naja sumatrana) and vipers, due to the public safety risks and their ecological sensitivity. 'Keeping venomous snakes as pets is generally prohibited. They are also restricted from being used in public shows, mobile exhibitions or private collections without prior approval.' Abdul Kadir said the department monitors and inspects individuals and facilities granted permits to ensure compliance. Amid the rise in exotic pet ownership, authorities are also investigating reports of pet or stray cats being used to feed snakes. 'Such acts raise ethical and legal concerns. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2015, all animals, including prey, must be treated humanely.' He explained that feeding live vertebrates such as cats to snakes could be considered an offence if the act causes distress or if the prey is not euthanised. 'This may amount to animal cruelty and could be enforced by the Veterinary Services Department.' Universiti Putra Malaysia wildlife management senior lecturer Dr Tengku Rinalfi Putra said although some species may be kept with a licence, he opposed the private ownership of venomous snakes. 'These are wild animals that require natural ecological inputs to thrive and replicating that in captivity is nearly impossible. Captivity limits their ability to behave naturally and creates safety risks for people nearby.' He said Malaysia's wildlife laws are adequate but need stricter enforcement. 'Many violations go unnoticed or unpunished. Illegal trade and unlicensed ownership are being normalised in some circles.' 'Some claim the permit process is difficult, but these systems are in place to protect the animals and the public.' He added that growing interest in exotic pets is putting pressure on vulnerable species. 'Ownership could accelerate population declines, especially when animals are taken from the wild,' he said, urging the public to support licensed zoos and genuine conservation efforts. He also noted a lack of individual-based guidelines for private ownership. 'What we have are zoo-based guidelines, not policies suited for individuals. We need a framework but there is no method to accomplish it yet.' He said keeping wildlife for appearances does not aid conservation. 'Captive breeding rarely supports reintroduction due to dietary changes and the loss of survival skills. 'Appreciation for wildlife means protecting them in their natural habitats, not caging them for looks.'
The Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Malaysia warns against illegal, dangerous snake pet trend
PETALING JAYA: The rising trend of keeping snakes as exotic pets in Malaysia, including venomous and protected species, has sparked alarm among conservationists and authorities, who warn that the practice is not only dangerous but often illegal. Concerns are mounting over public safety, animal cruelty and the exploitation of endangered wildlife, as authorities investigate reports of live animals, including stray cats being used as snake feed. Wildlife and National Parks Department director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the ownership, trade and keeping of snakes in Peninsular Malaysia are regulated under two legislations, the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 [Act 716] and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 [Act 686]. The latter enforces the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 'Certain snakes are categorised as either 'protected' or 'totally protected',' he said. 'Protected species may be kept with a valid licence, while totally protected species generally cannot be owned privately unless for approved scientific or conservation purposes.' He added that any species listed under the CITES appendices cannot be kept or traded without a special permit, especially in international transactions. Individuals who wish to import, export, sell or keep snakes listed under Act 716 or Act 686 must apply for a licence or special permit from the department. 'The approval of such permits is not automatic and subject to several considerations, including the conservation status of the species, intended purpose (such as research or education) and experience and capacity to safely handle wildlife.' He also said the department imposes stringent controls on venomous snakes such as cobras (Naja kaouthia, Naja sumatrana) and vipers, due to the public safety risks and their ecological sensitivity. 'Keeping venomous snakes as pets is generally prohibited. They are also restricted from being used in public shows, mobile exhibitions or private collections without prior approval.' Abdul Kadir said the department monitors and inspects individuals and facilities granted permits to ensure compliance. Amid the rise in exotic pet ownership, authorities are also investigating reports of pet or stray cats being used to feed snakes. 'Such acts raise ethical and legal concerns. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2015, all animals, including prey, must be treated humanely.' He explained that feeding live vertebrates such as cats to snakes could be considered an offence if the act causes distress or if the prey is not euthanised. 'This may amount to animal cruelty and could be enforced by the Veterinary Services Department.' Universiti Putra Malaysia wildlife management senior lecturer Dr Tengku Rinalfi Putra said although some species may be kept with a licence, he opposed the private ownership of venomous snakes. 'These are wild animals that require natural ecological inputs to thrive and replicating that in captivity is nearly impossible. Captivity limits their ability to behave naturally and creates safety risks for people nearby.' He said Malaysia's wildlife laws are adequate but need stricter enforcement. 'Many violations go unnoticed or unpunished. Illegal trade and unlicensed ownership are being normalised in some circles.' 'Some claim the permit process is difficult, but these systems are in place to protect the animals and the public.' He added that growing interest in exotic pets is putting pressure on vulnerable species. 'Ownership could accelerate population declines, especially when animals are taken from the wild,' he said, urging the public to support licensed zoos and genuine conservation efforts. He also noted a lack of individual-based guidelines for private ownership. 'What we have are zoo-based guidelines, not policies suited for individuals. We need a framework but there is no method to accomplish it yet.' He said keeping wildlife for appearances does not aid conservation. 'Captive breeding rarely supports reintroduction due to dietary changes and the loss of survival skills. 'Appreciation for wildlife means protecting them in their natural habitats, not caging them for looks.'
The Sun
14-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Meerkat on leash at KL shopping centre sparks animal cruelty row
A viral TikTok showing a meerkat tied to a chair at a pop-up petting zoo in a Kuala Lumpur shopping centre has sparked widespread outrage, with many Malaysians questioning the legality and ethics of the setup. In the video, originally posted by TikTok user @aiza, the meerkat — an animal native to the African continent — is seen pacing in circles on a leash, appearing restless and exposed. A donation box labelled 'donation for the animals' was placed nearby, while the meerkat remained tethered in full view of the public. The user said she confronted the man collecting donations but was stunned by his casual response. 'I went to the guy collecting money and asked if the meerkat had been like this all day. He said, 'Yes, any problem??' Are you serious??' Hundreds of commenters voiced concern for the animal's welfare. User @tehyobgie remarked, 'Donation for animals but abuse animals? The heck!' Meanwhile, @Azrael added, 'This is truly heartbreaking. It wasn't born to live like this. It just wants to be free.' The outrage soon spread to Reddit, where user @Affectionate-Bug5452 clarified: 'Meerkats are under the 'exotic wildlife' category in the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. You need a special permit from PERHILITAN to keep one — otherwise it's illegal.' Another commenter, @DangIt_MoonMoon, wrote, 'Malaysians are still not educated when it comes to being kind to animals. What the user posted is really some rubbish third world country nonsense.' While some debated whether meerkats are endangered, most agreed that using exotic animals to solicit donations is deeply unethical. @Appropriate-Rub3534 said, 'I would make a scene and call the manager to remove that. Whether endangered or not, torturing animals is not acceptable.' @kurangak added, 'Meerkats are very social animals. Poor thing had to live alone.' Calls for immediate reporting to PERHILITAN, Malaysia's wildlife department, have flooded both TikTok and Reddit. But @Affectionate-Bug5452 cautioned, 'Sometimes they only take action when it's actively happening.' As the video continues to circulate, animal lovers and welfare advocates are urging authorities to intervene before more animals are subjected to similar treatment.
The Star
11-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Malaysia's growing pet love story
ILYA Farhana Mohamad Idris was descending the staircase at her rented apartment in Subang Jaya, Selangor, when the sight of a furry creature caught her attention. Curious, she approached to find it was a kitten. She thought it was barely a month old, likely separated from its mother. 'He was tiny. I couldn't find anyone who could adopt him, so I decided to,' she recalled. Parrots are popular pets among Malaysians. One year has passed, and the cat, now named Didi, has proved to be a great addition to Ilya's household. 'He is so clingy, he sleeps with my sister and me at night,' she said, adding the cat had been vaccinated and was well fed. Like Ilya and her sister, thousands, if not millions, of Malaysians are choosing to keep pets. A 2023 survey by Standard Insights, a consumer research platform, said a growing number of households are now pet owners. Pet owners with canine companions at an event in Bayan Lepas, Penang. — Courtesy photos and filepics Of the 1,000 people surveyed, 26.4% own multiple pets, and among those who do not have any, 26.2% are interested in owning one, which could indicate a growing trend of pet ownership in the future. The study further reported that 78% of respondents own cats, followed by dogs (14%) and tropical fish (13%). Other species such as birds, reptiles and small mammals make up a small percentage. (see graphic) Although owning a pet can be fulfilling, animal activists warn that it must be ethical and responsible to ensure the well-being of these animals. Neglect and cruelty Dr Saravanakumar says chaining and keeping pets in small spaces is an offence. According to reports, the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) received some 7,600 cases of cruelty towards pets between 2021 and mid-2024. Cases increased from 1,249 in 2021 to 2,622 in 2023 and 2,162 in the first half of 2024. Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor were among the states with the highest number of reported incidents. They mostly involved dogs (5,266) and cats (1,900), though other animals such as horses, rabbits and farm animals had also been victims. Former DVS senior deputy director Dr Saravanakumar Supramaniam Pillai said that pet ownership was governed by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) 2015 (Act 772). Section 24 of AWA, he said, outlined duties of owners which included providing adequate food, shelter, healthcare and freedom for animals to express natural behaviours. 'Section 29, meanwhile, addresses offences for cruelty such as abuse, neglect, torture and abandonment,' he said. Nurul Hidayah says pets are 'quiet healers' that can help improve one's mental health. Dr Saravanakumar said that AWA defined pets as cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, non-protected species of birds and ornamental fish. 'Exotic animals and wildlife, like certain species of birds, reptiles and mammals, fall under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) and require a special licence from the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan),' he said. The senior advisor on farm animal welfare, policy and engagement for Humane Society International said a licence was not needed for owning cats and small pets. 'Dog ownership, meanwhile, requires a licence from the local authority, and owners must provide proof of rabies vaccination and microchipping. 'Local councils also tend to restrict the number of dogs per household to only one or two,' he said, adding that certain breeds were banned for safety reasons. Cheah says shift in lifestyle contributes towards increased pet ownership. Several prosecutions had taken place due to failure to ensure welfare, according to Dr Saravanakumar. 'Not providing water and food, poor hygiene, lack of veterinary care, chaining and keeping in small spaces as well as abandoning aging or sick pets are common offences. 'Those who witness cruel treatment may submit a report to DVS, local authorities or Perhilitan,' he said. Under AWA, the owner or licensee who commits an offence is liable to a fine of between RM15,000 and RM75,000 or imprisonment for no more than two years, or both. Welfare in mind Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) general manager Kelvin Cheah said a shift in lifestyle, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, contributed to increased pet ownership. 'Cats and small dogs are part of emotional support systems in households, especially in single-person ones and childless families. 'Experience of isolation during Covid-19 lockdowns also motivated many people to adopt pets for emotional support,' he said. Cheah, however, stressed that owning a pet should not be seen as a trend but a long-term commitment towards ensuring welfare. 'SPCA regularly advocates that animals are not property but sentient beings with physical, social and emotional needs. 'Apart from rescuing animals, SPCA also works with DVS and local councils to investigate incidents of cruelty,' he said. Those wanting to own a pet are advised to consider adoption first, either from pounds run by the SPCA or local authorities, added Cheah. 'We have over 100 animals at any given time, all of which have undergone veterinary checks, vaccinations, deworming and are neutered. 'There are also other pounds such as those owned by local councils in Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Langat,' he said. Around 13% of Malaysians own ornamental fish, according to a study. Cheah urged prospective owners to be prepared emotionally and financially before bringing a pet into their lives. This include setting aside between RM100 and RM300 a month for food, hygiene supplies, and medical expenses. 'Veterinary bills for emergency medical situations can easily cost between RM500 and RM3,000. 'Owners must also keep in mind that animals also need daily interaction, stimulation and exercise,' he said. Emotional support Besides being loyal companions, pets can also help their owners regulate emotions and alleviate stress. A 2021 study titled 'Attitude towards pets and depression among residents in Klang Valley' commissioned by several local universities, found that individuals who held a positive attitude towards pets were more likely to draw mental health benefits from them, especially those dealing with depression. Nurul Hidayah Mohd Sa'at, clinical psychologist at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Bertam Medical Centre, said pets were 'quiet healers'. 'Many of my patients say pets help them feel less lonely, which is not surprising. 'Research shows that interacting with animals can reduce stress hormones and increase oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that helps us feel calm and happy,' she said. Catopia in Shah Alam is among a number of shelters housing rescued cats in Klang Valley. — Filepic Elaborating, Nurul Hidayah said pets were regularly used in therapy sessions to help people open up emotionally. 'These types of therapy can help one manage anxiety and even improve their social skills. 'I've seen special needs children and adults with trauma finding comfort in animals when words failed them,' she said.
