Article: Hill resort a gazetted wildlife reserve

Monday September 28, 2009

A WILDLIFE and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) spokesman said that the tarantula was not protected under the international CITES List of Endangered Species nor was it covered by the Protection of Wild Life Act 1972.

"Because of this, the tarantula is regarded as a free and common species," the spokesman said.

He added that tarantulas living in the highlands such as Fraser's Hill and Cameron Highlands were local species, while those sold at pet shops were mostly imported.

"Because it is a free, common species, conservationists usually will not carry out surveys of the population," he said.

According to him, most insects were not protected under the Act except for a few butterflies and moths.

An officer with the Perhilitan office in Kuantan, Pahang, said there were people, mostly expatriates, who exported live insects and this was not illegal.

Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) communications head Andrew Sebastian was shocked to learn that since the tarantulas were not a protected species, there was nothing against trading it.

"Frasers's Hill is a gazetted wildlife sanctuary and permanent forest reserve. Under the Forestry Act, this means that not even a piece of wood can be taken out.

"Every specimen that is indigenous should be afforded protection," he said.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: North 28 September 2009