Raid at Semporna resort leads to rescue of pangolin destined for the pot

KOTA KINABALU (Feb 24): The Sabah Wildlife Department on Monday rescued a live pangolin that was destined to be cooked and served to tourists at a resort in Semporna.

Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said the rescue was carried out during an Ops Khazanah operation jointly carried out with the police and General Operations Force following a tip-off that the resort was serving exotic dishes.

“Apart from rescuing the live pangolin, the raiding party also seized several dishes believed to be protected wildlife.

“Several individuals were detained to assist further investigations under the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Mohd Soffian said pangolins are a fully protected species under Schedule I of the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 and that no licence or permit has been issued to any individual or premises, including tourism premises, to possess, keep, sell, or prepare the species as food.

He added that conviction carries a fine of between RM50,000 and RM250,000 and imprisonment of not less than a year and not more than five years.

Mohd Soffian said the Sabah Wildlife Department views seriously any activity of providing protected wildlife as exotic food to tourists, as this practice is not only against the law but can also affect the state’s reputation as a responsible nature tourism destination.

He warned that enforcement action will continue to be stepped up against any tourism premises involved in wildlife crime-related activities.