Bryan Christy

Here’s good news from Malaysia:

Government Lauded For Tougher Wildlife Conservation Laws

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) — The tabling of the Wildlife Conservation Bill 2010 last week, with tougher penalties, is welcomed by the Malaysian Nature Society, Traffic Southeast Asia and the Wildlife Conservation Society-Malaysia.

The three non-profit organisations congratulated the government for the long-awaited bill to strengthen enforcement against illegal hunting and trade.

“We hope this new law will provide better protection for Malaysia’s wildlife and close the gaps that have allowed wildlife criminals to continue operating.

“We are glad to note the Bill’s provision for higher penalties and tougher action. This new Bill features many improvements, and we hope the ministry will continue to review and update the law, specifically the Schedules for Protected and Totally Protected Species, as threats and trends dictate,” they said in a joint statement Monday.

They hoped enforcement agencies would make full use of the new legislation to act against poachers, smugglers and illegal wildlife traders.

– BERNAMA

I had a super time being on Dr. Laurel Neme’s “The WildLife with Laurel Neme” radio show.  Laurel knows her stuff.  She is author of Animal Investigators:  How the World’s First Wildlife Forensics Lab is Solving Crimes and Saving Endangered Species.  It is a fascinating story and she is doing great work for wildlife. 

Our interview also ran today on Vermont radio, FM 105.9 Burlington, VT.  You can listen here.

For those of you who recall the Taiping Four gorilla smuggling case involving Malaysia’s Taiping Zoo, or the history of prominent zoo owners in Malaysia and wildlife trafficking, here is perhaps the most absurd news of the day.   

On a positive note, Malaysia’s Wildlife Department has begun publicizing Special Permit decisions, ie, decisions to allow individuals or organizations to possess critically endangered species.  Lulus=Approved; Tidak Lulus=Not Approved.  Unfortunately, the list does not name the species approved/denied or the quantity…which brings us back to the title of this post…