KUALA LUMPUR: Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) officers arrested a suspected poacher and seized the carcasses of 13 species of protected wildlife in Muar on Nov 4.

Perhilitan enforcement division deputy director Celescoriano Razond with the carcasses of barn owls.

Three days later, the man led the officers to a store in an estate, where 7,093 clouded monitor lizards were kept. Some of the lizards were found dead.

Among the seized carcasses were 796 barn owls, the first time such a seizure has been made.

The barn owls, normally found in oil palm plantations where they help control the rat population, are not known as the poachers' "favourite".

Other animals included parts of Malayan sun bears, barred eagle owl, spotted wood owl, buffy fish owl, crested serpent eagle, reticulated python, greater mousedeer, Malayan porcupine, pangolin and wild boar meat, bones and scales which are believed to be used for the local traditional medicine market and as exotic food.
Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Rashid Samsudin said a department team raided the man's house on Nov 4 and found the various species of protected wildlife slaughtered and kept in a freezer.

He said the man led the team three days later to a store in an estate nearby where the clouded monitor lizards were found. However, no one was in the store at the time.

"We believe the seized wildlife were meant for distribution to restaurants and (traditional) medicine makers, "Rashid said.

The man, he said, had previous convictions for wildlife poaching and was fined RM7,500 in 2004.

"That year, we seized pangolins and pangolin scales worth RM86,000. He was (fined and) given a stern warning, but has again committed the same offence."

Rashid said the man was now out on RM19,000 bail.

He said Perhilitan was now checking whether the animals were caught here or had been brought in from neighbouring countries.

"We are looking at all possibilities and will be running DNA sampling to cross-check with local species to verify their origin."