Thursday April 9, 2009
By SIMON KHOO
The suspects aged between 22 and 59 years were detained by enforcement officers of the State Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department.
State director Khairiah Mohd Shariff said her men heard gunshots being fired from 12.30am to 1.30am on Sunday while on their rounds in Tanjung Agas, Pekan.
She said her men led by Ahmad Ikhwan Zainuddin tracked down the hunters who were on a boat.
“The suspects were spotted at about 3.45am in Kampung Tanjung Agas and promptly arrested.
Indiscriminate killing: Khairiah (right) showing the carcasses of the flying foxes at Perhilitan’s office in Kuantan on Monday. “Upon checking, they were found in possession of 52 flying-fox carcasses worth RM1,040,” she told a press conference at the department’s office here on Monday.
Khairiah said her officers seized two semi-automatic shotguns and 351 rounds of ammunition from the suspects.
She said the suspects from Selangor faced a charge under Section 74 (2) of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
“They face a jail term of up to one year or a maximum fine of RM2,000, or both, despite being issued with a permit to hunt two weeks ago,” she said, adding that the time for hunting the mammals was from 7pm to midnight and 5am to 7am.
Khairiah said that flying foxes were most active during the stipulated times to provide a fair game environment for the prey and hunters.
She said that stern action had to be taken to prevent the extinction of flying foxes due to uncontrolled hunting.
“The mammals can fetch RM20 each,” she said, adding that the current durian season resulted in the mammals booming in numbers and outsiders converging at Tanjung Agas.
They hunt the mammals for sport and sell them to eateries specialising in exotic dishes.
Khairiah urged members the public to adhere to the guidelines and not risk running foul of the law.
This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: South & East 11 April 2009
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