Article: No sanctuary for Fraser’s Hill spiders

Monday September 28, 2009

FOR a mere RM500, one can buy a live tarantula straight from Fraser's Hill.

The wait, however, could be indefinite, and any dealings with the seller will be carried out furtively.

Tarantula hunters on Fraser's Hill have become more discreet after the authorities began monitoring them earlier this year.

StarMetro visited the hill resort recently to check on the situation. We visited one of the few restaurants at Fraser's Hill and asked the owner about the tarantulas, considered a tourist attraction there.

The owner said tarantula-catching was a favourite pastime when he was younger.

"I knew where and when the tarantulas would come out and how to catch them. We would leave one in a bottle and it was harmless fun for us," he added.

However, he did not know if there was anyone selling the arachnids.

"The tarantula population here has dwindled considerably. They used to be a common sight at night but it's hard to spot them now.

"Perhaps too many have been caught or the weather is no longer favourable. It's hardly cold here these days and there isn't as much mist in the night," he said.

At another shop, we asked the elderly man behind the counter if he knew of anyone selling tarantulas. He looked suspicious and asked how we knew that tarantulas were being sold in the area.

We told him that a friend had bought one to rear as a pet. He was satisfied with the answer and said he had to keep a low profile as there were many prying eyes who would report such activities to the authorities.

When offered RM500 for a tarantula, he said the price was right but it would take some time as he would have to catch the spider first.

However, during follow-up calls to the man, he claimed that he had not been able to catch a tarantula.

"It's getting more difficult these days. A lot of people have disturbed the area so the tarantulas hardly come out of their burrows," he claimed.

Local tourist guide K.S. Durai is among those against the sale of tarantulas.

"We don't want people to disturb the nests. If the selling continues, then in a few years, the spiders will be gone," Durai said.

He claimed that five years ago, the locals would sell the tarantulas to visitors but after being educated, many stopped.

"We also work closely with the police so if they spot anyone catching tarantulas, they would notify me and I would speak to them.

"We are working closely with the Wildlife Department to endorse tarantulas as a protected species," Durai said.

Meanwhile, a check at a pet shop in Kuala Lumpur showed a lone tarantula being sold for RM450.

A pet shop employee claimed the tarantula was a local species. He also said one did not need a licence to keep it as a pet.

When contacted a week later, the employee said several im- imported species had been brought in and were being sold at RM180 each.

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