SEMPORNA: The Sabah Wildlife Department, together with the Royal Malaysia Police and PGA Sandakan, seized a live pangolin (Manis javanica) at a tourist resort in Semporna on Monday.
The pangolin was found alongside several dishes suspected to involve protected wildlife, and several individuals were taken in for further investigation.
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Sabah Wildlife Department Director, Mohd. Soffian Abu Bakar said any activity involving the preparation of protected wildlife as exotic dishes for tourists is taken seriously.
"It not only violates the law but also damages Sabah’s reputation as a responsible nature tourism destination," he said.
The pangolin is a fully protected species under the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.
Offenders may face fines of RM50,000–RM250,000 and imprisonment of one to five years.
The department warned that enforcement actions will be stepped up against tourist premises involved in wildlife-related crimes.
