50 applications to cull, export crocodiles being processed

KU CHIN G: The Forest Department is processing 50 applications to cull and export crocodiles in the state.

Deputy director Jack Liam said the applications have to meet the strict criteria of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( Cites) before being approved and issued with the licence.

“The ( Forest Department) at the moment has received 50 applications, all from Sarawak, to cull and export crocodiles domestically, which are still under processing. We have not issued any licence yet pertaining to this ,” he told reporters yesterday after opening a course on the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 (Act 686).

On whether the public, particularly those living near riverbanks can kill crocodiles, Jack said the reptiles can be killed if they posed a threat to the people.

“Those living near the riverbank can kill crocodiles if the lives of the people are being threatened, but again the people must report to the nearest Forest officers under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998,” he explained.

On the rearing of swiftlets on the upper floors of shops in cities and towns, Jack said no such licence has been issued.

He acknowledged that the issue received the most reports via the state’s Talikhidmat complaints channel.

“The department will have a meeting this year together with local councils, Land and Survey Department, and Natural Resources and Environment Board ( NREB) and other relevant agencies.

“This is an i nter- agency problem and we will sit down on how to solve the problem knowing that the swiftlet industry is a big industry in the state,” he said.

In his speech, Jack, who represented Forest director Sapuan Ahmad, said about 941,000ha have been gazetted as Totally Protected Areas ( TPAs) from the total one million ha earmarked by the government.

A total of 80 participants from 15 government departments and agencies attended the course.