Protected birds worth RM30,000 seized

2009/11/06

By Looi Sue-Chern

GEORGE TOWN, Fri: About RM30,000 worth of wild birds were seized on Wednesday by the state Wildlife Department, and one man was held for questioning.

In the afternoon raid in Kampung Selamat, Kepala Batas, 370 Red-whiskered Bulbuls (Pycnonotus jocosus), 13 Hill Mynahs (gracula religiosa), one Sun Parakeet or Sun Conure (Aratinga Solstitialis) and one Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot (Loriculus Galgulus) were seized. All are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

Department director Noor Alif Wira Osman said yesterday the birds were smuggled into the country for distribution to individuals or pet shops around Penang.

The 30-something owner of the premises was released after his statement was recorded.

The birds will be sent to Malacca Zoo.