Wildlife syndicate mastermind, buyers actively hunted

KUALA LUMPUR - The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) believes that there is an active syndicate network in other states following the arrest of six wildlife poachers in Sik, Kedah, recently.

Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the network involved masterminds, buyers and distributors.

"Perhilitan believes that this syndicate is targeting wild animals especially deers, wild chickens and hedgehogs.

"These wild animals will be sold to individuals who are restaurant traders," he told Sinar Harian, today.

He said it is believed that the syndicate operated via WhatsApp and Telegram groups.

He added that investigation was still underway to identify whether this syndicate was involved in Malayan Tiger poaching or not as well as finding out the involvement of smuggling to illegal markets abroad.

Last Monday, Sinar Harian reported that Perhilitan through Op Hunter with the help of the Wildlife Crime Bureau (WCB) and the Special Operations Force (PGK) had successfully busted an illegal hunting syndicate in a raid on Aug 18.

The wildlife poaching syndicate in Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Sik, which had been operating for over 10 years was successfully crippled after six hunters were arrested in a simultaneous raid around the district.

The 40 to 63-year-old local suspects were also reported to have stopped the illegal activity and its network around the village near the forest reserve.

The culprits went about hunting using rifles, bows and arrows before processing and freezing their catch before selling them to customers.