All out to protect the exotic animals: Legislation to ban online advertisements on the sale of endangered animals may soon be introduced under a proposal to amend the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. HOW FAR WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT WHAT WE ARE SAYING ABOUT WILDLIFE POACHING, smuggling AND TRADING.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/06/09/all-out-to-protect-the-exotic-animalsonline-ads-on-endangered-pets-may-be-banned

Meanwhile, Malaysian Nature Society president Prof Dr Ahmad Ismail said tough enforcement must be in place to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.

“The new technologies, communication and high sums of money involved in the wildlife trade make it quite difficult to fight poaching and smuggling.

“Cooperation with all agencies is needed, along with the support from the public,” he said.

Consumer knowledge and awareness, he added, were also important to ensure the demand for exotic pets would wane.

“Poaching continues because of the demand for wild animals for their meat and as pets,” he said.

Perhilitan’s analysis estimated that there are only about 300 to 500 living sun bears in Malaysia as of 2018. 

The analysis reported that about 420 complaints about online sale of wild animals were received between 2016 and 2018.

More than 100 sellers were detected to be using online channels to advertise these animals, the analysis also revealed.