Allow private efforts to rehabilitate wildlife, says Peka
RAUB: Peka president Puan Sri Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil has hit out at Perhilitan’s action to remove two gibbons from a private rehabilitation facility here.
“If we have the expertise and passion, we can rehabilitate the animals together. Why can’t Perhilitan work with us?” she said.
Shariffa Sabrina said there was no law allowing for animal rehabilitation centres in Peninsular Malaysia, although there were private efforts taking place in Sabah and Sarawak.
“This needs to change to make it a win-win situation. The government’s financial burden can be lessened, and everything done for the animals’ benefit, as I’ve tried explaining to Perhilitan before,” she said.
The environmental activist said while there were valid concerns that unscrupulous individuals might attempt to profit from endangered rescued animals, true rehabilitation would mean “re-wilding” the animals to the point where they would avoid contact with humans.
“If Perhilitan is afraid we might be abusing or profiting off the animals, they can always send people to do audits and surprise checks, as is the system overseas where there are NGOs leading conservation and rehabilitation efforts to protect wildlife,” she said.
Shariffa Sabrina said as long as there was deforestation and wildlife trafficking taking place, there would be more rescues and seizures.
“Does Perhilitan have the resources and technical expertise to cope with this?” she asked.
Malaysia has five gibbon species in its rainforests, namely the white-handed gibbon, dark-handed gibbon and siamang in the peninsula, while Borneo has the Muller’s and Abbott’s grey gibbons.
In the peninsula, gibbons are often victims of the exotic wildlife trade, given their “cute” appearance as infants.
It is estimated that as many as 20 infants are wiped out, along with their parents, by poachers in order to get one live infant for sale.