An 18-year-old teenager has been arrested in Malaysia after police discovered several protected wild animals worth RM48,500 (about S$14,700) during a raid at a house in Kelantan. Authorities said the animals were being kept without valid permits, leading to their seizure during a joint enforcement operation.
The raid took place at about 3.15 pm at a house in Kampung Bunuhan under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan. Officers from the General Operations Force (GOF) Eighth Battalion worked together with the Kelantan Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) after receiving intelligence about protected wildlife being kept at the property.
Protected Animals Found
During the inspection, officers found several protected species inside five cages. The seized animals included one red hawk-eagle, four white-breasted waterhens, one barred eagle-owl, and two common palm civets. Authorities estimated the total value of the wildlife at RM48,500 (about S$14,700).
Police also confiscated the five cages used to keep the animals. The suspect failed to produce any valid license or permit issued by the Wildlife Department to legally possess the protected species. Officers arrested the teenager before handing the animals and other seized items to Perhilitan for further investigation.
Teenager Explains Ownership
General Operations Force Southeast Brigade commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the teenager claimed the animals belonged to his father. He told officers that his role was only to feed and care for the animals at the house.
According to the teenager, his father had obtained the animals from Gua Musang about four years ago. At the time of the raid, his father was reportedly working as a construction laborer in Gua Musang and could not be contacted by the authorities.
Investigation Continues
Police have launched an investigation under Section 60 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. The law regulates the possession of protected wildlife and requires owners to obtain valid permits before keeping such animals.
Police are still probing the incident to find out exactly how the incident happened, whether other offenses were committed, and what the origin of the protected wildlife was. While the Wildlife Department collects more evidence, the animals are kept under its care. The teenager remains under investigation as authorities continue legal proceedings.
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