‘Refer to Perhilitan on keeping wild animals’

PUTRAJAYA: Those interested in keeping wild animals have to refer to the Wildlife and National Parks Department ( Perhilitan) on the need to obtain licences and special permits.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said individuals who are still keeping wild animals illegally have been advised to put in their applications to Perhilitan soon.

“Cooperate with Perhilitan before the department moves in to raid,” he said in a statement yesterday.

A local man pleaded guilty to nine charges at the Kajang Session’s Court under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 yesterday for keeping several protected and fully protected animals without valid documents.

The 51-year- old man was arrested by Wildlife Department on Oct 19 last year for keeping various species of wild animals protected under the act at his residence in Kajang.

The wild animals are two white crowned magpies, a female Malayan tiger and a leopard cat, a brahminy kite (sea eagle), a mountain hawk, a Schneider’s Dwarf Caiman crocodile, a mousedeer, a hill myna and a white-rumped magpie.

“It is hoped members of the public will continue to support and assist as ears and eyes of Perhilitan to help protect the country’s wild animals from being threatened to extinction,” Wan Junaidi said. — Bernama