Latest news with #WildlifeandNationalParksDepartment
The Sun
5 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
5 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 Star
15-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Special ops to translocate elephants begins in Johor
Mammoth move: Ling (left) petting an elephant that was brought in for the launch of the operation in Johor. Looking on are Abdul Kadir (centre) and Vidyananthan. KLUANG: The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has launched a special operation to translocate about 25 elephants across Peninsular Malaysia as part of its effort to address human-elephant conflicts, says its director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim. He said Johor – one of the states most affected by the conflict – would be the first state to carry out the operation. 'The operation officially begins this month, with Johor being the first state to carry it out with the support of about 30 Perhilitan officers from across the peninsula. 'It will then continue in other states affected by the conflict, and we expect to translocate about 25 wild elephants by July next year,' he said, adding that Johor Perhilitan will coordinate the operation. He said this after the launch of the Johor Elephant Translocation Operation here yesterday. Also present were Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon, Kahang assemblyman R. Vidyananthan and Johor Perhilitan director Aminuddin Jamin. Abdul Kadir added that the operation would involve the Elephant Capture Unit from the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah as well as other agencies. 'One of the main objectives of the operation is to reduce elephant conflicts in high-risk areas systematically. It will also help us identify and relocate elephant groups that are actively disturbing agricultural areas, villages and residential zones. 'We also hope to collect scientific data through this operation to improve policies for managing wild elephants,' he said. He added that between 2020 and 2024, Perhilitan received 4,920 elephant-human related complaints. 'This led to losses amounting to about RM39.4mil with Johor, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak and Terengganu being the most affected states,' Abdul Kadir said. Meanwhile, Ling said nearly 700 complaints related to human-elephant conflicts in the state have been reported to Johor Perhilitan in the last five years. This is a serious issue, especially in the Kluang, Kota Tinggi, Mersing and Segamat districts, he said. 'In fact, in the first six months of this year alone, human-elephant conflicts have caused losses amounting to about RM1.1mil. 'While Johor Perhilitan has been actively conducting translocation operations annually, its workforce is not enough to cope with the high number of complaints. 'As such, we have reached out to the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry for assistance, which has led to the launch of the special translocation operation,' he said. Ling added the operation in Johor, which is being carried out from this month until December, was expected to translocate between 10 and 12 elephants. 'With this new operation, which is receiving support from Perhilitan officers from across Peninsular Malaysia, we expect to double that number,' he said. To support the effort, Ling said the state government had also channelled RM600,000 from its Ecological Fiscal Transfers fund for the operation. 'Johor is the only state that has made such an allocation, which shows our commitment to addressing the issue,' he added.
The Star
14-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Wildlife Dept begins interstate move of elephants to reduce conflicts with farms, residences
Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon (left) petting an elephant that way brought in as a symbolic for the launch of the operation here. Looking on is Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim (centre) and Kahang R. Vidyananthan (right). KLUANG: A special operation has been launched by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) to translocate 25 elephants across Peninsular Malaysia in a bid to reduce human-elephant conflicts. Its director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said Johor, one of the states most affected by such conflicts, would be the first to carry out the operation. "The operation officially begins this month, with Johor being the first state to carry it out with the support of about 30 Perhilitan officers from across the peninsula. "It will then continue in other states affected by the conflict, and we expect to translocate about 25 wild elephants by July next year," he said, adding that Johor Perhilitan is the main coordinator of the operation. He said this to reporters after launching the Johor Elephant Translocation Operation here on Monday (July 14). Also present at the launch were Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon, Kahang assemblyman R. Vidyananthan, and Johor Perhilitan director Aminuddin Jamin. Abdul Kadir added that the operation would also involve the Elephant Capture Unit from the National Elephant Conservation Centre (NECC) in Kuala Gandah, as well as other agencies. "One of the main objectives of the operation is to systematically reduce elephant conflicts in high-risk areas. "It will also help us identify and relocate elephant groups that are actively disturbing agricultural areas, villages, and residential zones. "We also hope to collect scientific data through this operation to improve policies for managing wild elephants," he said. He said that between 2020 and 2024, Perhilitan received some 4,920 elephant-human related complaints. "This led to losses amounting to about RM39.4mil with Johor, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak and Terengganu being states that were most affected," he said.
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Tiger crosses road, startles motorists in Terengganu
KUALA LUMPUR: Motorists travelling along Jalan Felda Aring en route to Tasik Kenyir, Hulu Terengganu, were taken by surprise yesterday when an adult Malayan tiger emerged from the undergrowth and calmly crossed the road in broad daylight. In a now-viral video lasting over a minute, the majestic animal, estimated to weigh nearly 200kg, was seen making its way from the right side of the road to a hilly, bush-covered area on the opposite side. The sighting, while dramatic, is not entirely unexpected. A similar incident was reported on Oct 29 last year, when two tigers appeared suddenly along Jalan Gua Musang–Kenyir at Aring 5, startling a group of 13 road workers engaged in resurfacing works at 8.20pm. The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said such sightings in the area were common. He said that the location, which lies near the Gunung Rabong Forest Reserve and Taman Negara Kelantan, were both known habitats for wild tigers. "There have been previous reports of tiger sightings in this area. These animals typically wander onto the road before retreating back into the forest," he said. Abdul Kadir said that Perhilitan officers had been instructed to monitor the area to ensure public safety. "Motorists are advised to exercise caution and to avoid provoking any wild animals they may encounter," he said.
