Global News - April 2008
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Malaysian authorities promise crackdown on wildlife smuggling
Fri 18 April 2008 14:00 UK — Asia,Elephants, Rhinos, Hippos
Authorities in Malaysia have said they are preparing to introduce new rules to try to protect the country's rare and endangered animals.
The local Star newspaper reported that the crackdown will mean that people trespassing in national parks and forest reserves will face tougher penalties if apprehended by officials.
Natural resources and environment minister Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas said that the move was designed to try to curb the poaching and smuggling of endangered animals and plant species.
According to the paper, he said: "Most of the trespassers are foreigners. It is not easy to track down these trespassers. We are grateful to the army for assisting us in controlling such activities.
"Trespassers have stolen gaharu (agar wood), a valuable plant, which grows all over the forests in our country. A kilo of the plant, which is used for the perfumery industry, can fetch a few thousand ringgit in the market.
"We hope the public will also support us in protecting the wildlife plant and animal species."
Critically endangered animals in Malaysia include the black shrew, Javan rhinoceros, Malayan roundleaf bat and the Malayan water shrew.
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July 2008
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