(MY) aquarium exhibits

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Aquarium exhibits protected reptiles - New Straits Times

 

KUALA LUMPUR: 22 March 06

--

Despite stringent international and local laws, protected and

endangered animals are being displayed at a local aquarium.

 

 

Apparently, this is done with the permission of the local wildlife authorities.

 

Aquaria KLCC's reptile exhibition, held since March 1, displays

endangered and protected species, many of which are listed under the

Wildlife Protection Act 1972 or Appendices I and II of the Convention

on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and

Flora (CITES).

 

A visit to the exhibition revealed species such as the Radiated

Tortoise, which has been listed on CITES I since 1975. (CITES I

listing means the species is threatened with extinction and commercial

trade is prohibited.)

 

The Radiated Tortoise is endemic to Madagascar, where it is totally protected.

 

Also displayed was the river terrapin, a totally protected species

under the local Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Nest sightings for the

species in Malaysia dwindled from several hundreds in the mid-1990s to

30 in 2004.

 

Promised as a coming attraction was the False Gharial, also listed on

CITES I since 1975. Its known habitats are Peninsular Malaysia, West

Borneo, Java and Sumatra.

 

Other species on display included tortoises such as the Indian Star,

Pancake and Impressed, pythons such as the Ball, Burmese and Blood,

and other reptiles such as the Green Anaconda and Veiled Chameleon.

 

All have been listed on CITES II since the 1970s, which means trade of

the species is regulated with permits to avoid threat of extinction.

 

 

 

Aquaria curator Paul Hamilton said the animals on display came from a

pet store supplier who provided the paperwork and permits to the

Wildlife Department.

 

" I visited the department and showed them the list of animals to be

displayed and the enclosures that will be used, " he said, adding that

Aquaria had an " open book " relationship with the Wildlife Department.

 

Wildlife Department director (law and enforcement) Misliah Mohd Basir

concurred that the paperwork was in order.

 

" My officers made a thorough check on the permits and made sure

everything was okay, " she said.

 

Permits for CITES I species in Malaysia can be signed only by the

Natural Resources and Environment Minister.

 

Trade in these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances,

thus, it is not clear how the permits were obtained for them to be

displayed at the aquarium.

 

When told about the Radiated and Indian Star tortoises on display,

both of which are totally protected in their native countries and

therefore not permitted for trade, Misliah said the Wildlife and

National Parks Department (Perhilitan) had informed the aquarium

during an inspection visit last Friday that the tortoises should not

be displayed.