Article: Do more to protect our wildlife

Wednesday August 12, 2009

I REFER to your comprehensive coverage on wildlife trafficking that involved a well known smuggler ("I got greedy" – The Star, Aug 10).

I read with so much sadness the rampant smuggling of wildlife that gives a bad name to our country. I cannot understand why Malaysia is a transit point for such illegal activities.

While I know that there are steps taken by our Wildlife Department to catch the culprits, I feel the efforts should be intensified. I urge the Government to take proactive measures to ensure the animals are protected.

It is disturbing to know that animals in some national parks are poached and many left to die. In fact, it seems the poachers are very cunning, and are getting dangerous to the point of resorting to violent tactics.

While I am deeply touched by the efforts taken by our Wildlife Department and many NGOs, the smuggling activities must stop. I hope various parties like the humane societies and NGOs will pursue the matter and act immediately and not wait until it is too late.

I think the law regarding wildlife protection is ineffective. It is time such laws are strengthened to ensure the inhumane activities are stopped once and for all.

Relevant laws and regulations should be reviewed and enforced to severely punish the culprits who inflict such cruelty.

Why can't Malaysia be a model country in taking measures to deter smugglers and other wildlife traders? It is very sad to see animals such as tigers, pangolins, bears, etc, ending up in the cooking pot of inhumane persons.

Enforcement by our Wildlife Department should be improved. If the Government can lead by good example in curbing such activities, I am very sure one day Malaysia will be hailed as a champion of animal protection.

As Mahatma Gandhi put it: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated".

SIVA,

Bangi, Selangor.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Opinion 12 August 2009