(MY) seizure of wildlife meats

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Sunday July 8, 2007-The Star

 

 

Bat, boar and deer meat seized

 

KLUANG: Five bat carcasses and over 300kg of exotic wildlife meats

were seized from four restaurants in Kahang by the Wildlife

Department.

 

Two operators of one of the shops were arrested to assist in

investigations in the operation late on Friday.

 

Kahang, about 40km from here, is famous for its exotic food. The small

town with a 15,000 population has more than 10 stalls and shops

selling such " delicacies " .

 

Kuala Lumpur Wildlife Department deputy director Celescoriano Razond

said a team from its Wildlife Crime Unit comprising 28 personnel

launched the operation following a tip-off from a member of the

public.

 

 

Seized 'delicacies': Celescoriano (right) and Kuala Lumpur Wildlife

Department officer Jose Ampiu checking the wildlife meats seized from

four restaurants in Kahang, Kluang.

" We checked over 10 restaurants in the operation which began at 9pm.

 

" Four of them were found to have violated the Protection of Wildlife

Act 1972, " he said at the Wildlife Department state office here

yesterday.

 

They seized 287kg of iguana meat from the first restaurant following

the arrest of two operators including a woman, aged 41 and 37.

 

" The two have been released on bail and will be charged in court by

the end of the month, " he said.

 

He said the team recovered another 3.5kg of bat meat, 11.35kg of wild

boar meat and 4.5kg of wild deer meat from the second premises.

 

" We found five bat carcasses in the third restaurant and 1.6kg of wild

boar meat at the fourth shop, " said Celescoriano, adding that the

restaurants were almost full with customers when the team arrived to

investigate.

 

Most of the meats were found frozen in the refrigerators.

 

Celescoriano said operators of the restaurants including the two

detainees were being investigated for failing to record particulars,

unlawful kills or possession of protected wildlife in their premises.