Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Wildlife Department officers uncovered an alleged illegal wildlife parts trade during a joint operation at a business premises along Gaya Street here recently, said Sabah Wildlife director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar.
He said the operation, conducted with the police’s Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence (WCB/PSK) under Ops Bersepadu Khazanah, followed intelligence gathered through enforcement surveillance.
Mohd Soffian said enforcement officers seized 16 suspected wild boar tusks, nine teeth believed to be from tigers, 10 teeth suspected to be from bears, various edible bird’s nest products of different weights and 13 stones believed to be from porcupines.
He said a local man was detained to assist investigations under Sections 41(1) and 41(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for allegedly possessing, storing and displaying wildlife parts without valid authorisation.
Mohd Soffian said the department viewed wildlife crime seriously and urged the public to channel information on illegal wildlife activities to the Sabah Wildlife Department to support ongoing enforcement and conservation efforts.
