Kuching, Tuesday, 19 January 2010 – SARAWAK FORESTRY today warned all exotic food lovers to avoid from violating the Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998.  Datu Haji Len Talif Salleh, Director of Forests and Controller of Wild Life said that stern actions will be taken to those who are caught for keeping the protected and totally protected animals as pets, hunt, capture, kill, sell, import or export them.  Those who possess any recognisable part of these animals too are actually violating the Ordinance.

He was commenting on the report in a local news recently that the protected and totally protected wildlife have become increasingly popular among exotic food lovers in Sarawak.  The report claimed that the wildlife meat could improve one’s sexual prowess and heal various illness and diseases.   Len Talif who is also Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and Resource Management and Managing Director / CEO of SARAWAK FORESTRY warned that the enforcement officers from the Forest Department and SARAWAK FORESTRY are continuously on the look out to combat the situation from aggravating.

“Our enforcement officers will double up our efforts in monitoring and patrolling the market areas and food outlets to make sure that the perpetrators are arrested” said Len Talif.  In Sarawak, those who are found guilty for violating the Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998 will be fined between RM10,000 to RM50,000 and one to five years imprisonment.

Len Talif reminded, “Protected and totally protected animals are rare as their populations are critically endangered due to habitat destruction, encroachment or poaching.  The Ordinance are meant to protect these animals from extinction and infringement of this Ordinance is actually hampering the Government’s efforts in ensuring their sustainability.”

He believes that the awareness among the public is the key concern to overcome the demand in exotic wildlife meat.  “When there is no demand, trading of the wildlife meat will be eventually put to a stop.  Thus, it is critically important that the public are fully aware of the consequences of their own actions and help the authorities to fight against the extinction of the protected and totally protected animals.”

Public can be involved in reporting on any threat to protected and totally protected animals by contacting the following SARAWAK FORESTRY Regional Offices:
Kuching – 019 8859996
Miri – 019 8290994
Sibu – 019 8290992
Bintulu – 019 8266096