Towards zero poaching

MALAYSIANS were greeted by the devastating news of yet another wildlife crime recently, as reports have streamed in on a 30-year-old male elephant that was shot dead in Gerik, Perak.
However, swift action by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and the police has resulted in the prompt arrest of four of these heavily-armed poachers. The group was found with deer antlers, suspected tiger bones, weapons (rifles and home-made shotguns), as well as animal snares.
While we mourn the loss of more wildlife, WWF-Malaysia wishes to highlight and commend the collaborative efforts by the Wildlife Department and police in resolving this incident with prompt arrests. Protecting our wildlife is truly a joint effort, which requires collaboration across NGOs, government, corporate stakeholders and in some cases, local communities living in the area.
During the Royal Belum-WWF Conservation Summit held in November 2017, the state of Perak reiterated its commitment to achieving zero poaching by 2020.
This also echoes the outcome of the High-Level Dialogue on Enhancing Tiger Conservation Efforts in Perak held in July 2017.
Yesterday's announcement on arrests based on joint efforts by the Wildlife Department and the police is a strong testimony to the commitment from both parties in combating wildlife crime.
This a step towards realising this collective vision of eradicating the threat of poaching once and for all.
Poaching for the illegal wildlife trade still remains as one of the greatest threats to wildlife conservation in Malaysia, including the critically endangered Malayan tiger.
This trade operates globally, the same way illegal drugs and weapons are dealt with – by international networks – linking across the globe.
WWF-Malaysia has always advocated the need to have more intelligence-based and collaborative teams to support special operations, and this recent operation is a successful example of how joining forces and working together can enable the authorities in effectively crippling wildlife poaching in our country.
We strongly urge all Malaysians to be more vigilant, aware and practise intolerance towards wildlife crimes and play an active role in the protection and conservation of our wildlife. Please report wildlife crimes to the Wildlife Crime Hotline, 019 356 4194.
Datuk Dr Dionysius Sharma
Executive Director/CEO
WWF-Malaysia