KUALA LUMPUR: Risky hobbies can attract trouble.
This is the downside when people keep endangered or protected wildlife without the necessary documents.
There have been wildlife collectors who have been charged in court and fined thousands of ringgit when they do not get their permits in order.
Department of Wildlife Protection and National Parks (Perhilitan) director-general, Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim told Harian Metro the act of keeping protected or endangered wildlife without a permit or licence is a serious offence.
He said the northern region's Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah (OBK) involving Perhilitan, the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), General Operations Force (GOF) and Forestry Department carried out a surprise check at a residence in Kuala Ketil, Kedah at 4pm yesterday (Feb 9).
"Following the information we received, we found that the residence was used as a location to keep wildlife without valid licence.
"Further inspections found an owl, an emerald dove (Chalcophaps indica), a leaf bird (Chloropseidae) and a macaque.
"A local man in his 60s, who is the owner of the residence was detained for further questioning.
"All the wildlife worth around RM5,000 were seized to facilitate further investigations," he said.
In a separate operation, Perhilitan and members of the Region Three Marine Police from Pengkalan Kubor raided a house in Kampung Paya Senang in Kota Baru, Kelantan.
Authorities were still gathering information on this second raid.