SAHABAT Alam Malayia (SAM) is deeply concerned with the many flaws in the current Wildlife Protection Act, leading to a dwindling wildlife population instead of a conserved one.

The act which has not had a major rewrite in more than 35 years is insufficient to address new issues which have arisen in the management of wildlife. As regulation has appeared to fail in the sustenance of species abundance, it is time to seriously question whether the Act truly aids conservation.

While wildlife trade enforcements remain a vital component in effective regulation, it tends to be allocated a low priority compared to the arms or drugs trade. Enforcement agencies are also no match for the highly competitive, adaptable and globally mobile wildlife crime syndicates, which apply ruthless methods and excellent business knowledge to accomplish illegal trade activities.

SAM had in its many letters to the Ministry (Natural Resources and Environment Ministry) and the Wildlife Department called for a ban on the issuing of hunting licenses, the tortured display of wildlife in resorts and theme parks and the Special Permits under the Act.

New provisions are needed to protect sites supporting important populations of protected plants and animals from destruction or deterioration due to inappropriate management. Birds, mammals and other vulnerable animals should be safeguarded from reckless as well as intentional human disturbances. Disturbances not only harm individual animals but can threaten the viability of populations. Amendments to the Act should also include regulations for managing alien species. Controls are needed to prevent the spread and deliberate release of non-native species into local environment, as this pushes native animals and plants into extinction.

The Wildlife Protection Act has proven inadequate to deter unscrupulous dealers, traders and individuals from exploiting wildlife. This Act allows loopholes in the law for them to carry out illegal trade activities, endangering the world’s biodiversity.

Amendments made to the Wildlife Protection Act and the enactment of new wildlife conservation laws have to emphasize on imposing more deterrent sentences for wildlife crime. The penalties should reflect the serious nature of the crime. Stronger powers of enforcement should also be introduced, including a power of arrest to stop ongoing offences and an outright ban on hunting.

S.M. MOHD IDRIS,
President, Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM).