(MY) smuggled tortoises dying

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Smuggled tortoises dying... during long wait - Malaysiakini.com

Fauwaz Abdul Aziz

Aug 25, 07 12:18pm Adjust font size:

 

While the Wildlife Department haggles with officials of the Tanzanian

government over the repatriation of smuggled leopard tortoises seized

two months ago, about two dozens are believed to have died in custody.

 

The tortoises, categorised in the United Nations' Convention on

International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora's

(Cites) Appendix II, were intercepted on June 12 by POS Malaysia

officials.

 

The officials were suspicious of the parcels - bearing the description

'claypots' - that originated from Tanzania.

 

According to a source, only about 50 of the 76 tortoises confiscated

are still alive.

 

Contacted today, the department's law and enforcement division

principal assistant director Haidar Khan confirmed the death of

several tortoises, but expressed uncertainty as to how many exactly

have died.

 

He said the delay was due to the fact this is the first time the

Tanzanian government is faced with such a request from Malaysia.

 

" We are still in negotiations with the Tanzanian authorities over the

details of the (repatriation) exercise, " said Haidar.

 

" The Indian government was quick to arrange for the return of their

tortoises because it has done so many times, " said Haidar referring to

385 Indian Star tortoises seized last April. They were eventually sent

back to India on an Indian airlines flight.

 

 

Wildlife trafficking alarming

 

While species on Cites Appendix I are strictly forbidden from being

traded except for conservation or research purposes, Cites II species

can be traded but under strictly-controlled provisions.

 

Wildlife officials have said that criminal gangs were using Malaysia

as a hub for exporting millions of ringgit worth of wildlife for the

Chinese market.

 

Trafficking of wildlife is said to have hit alarming levels in

Malaysia, which has also played the role of source and consumer.

 

While smugglers of species protected by national laws can be slapped

with fines and jail sentences, no action can yet be taken against

anyone guilty of smuggling partially-protected species cited under

Cites due to the lack of legal provisions in the current Wildlife

Protection Act.

 

The drafting of the new Wildlife Protection and Conservation Act,

which would fill the loopholes and contain harsher punishments for

infringements of wildlife laws, are said to be in the final stages of

preparations.