Hundreds of Madagascar Tortoises Seized in Malaysia

More news from TRAFFIC, Malaysian customs officers have seized 369 Radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiate) and five Ploughshare tortoises (Astrochelys yniphora) from two women who were smuggling them inside their bags. They also found tomato frogs and several chameleons. The Ploughshare is considered to be one the rarest tortoises in the world.

Due to the new Malaysian International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008, which came into force this month, the two women were arrested. Section 10a of this law means that any person found guilty of importing or exporting any scheduled species, without a permit, can be fined up to 1 million RM or face a maximum jail sentence of 7 years. The animals were handed over to Perhilitan, Malaysia’s wildlife enforcement agency.

While the officials should be commended for catching these smugglers, it is clear to say that the two women are at the bottom of this smuggling ring. Care should be taken now to investigate and crack down on those controlling and pulling the strings of the smuggling racket. The illegal wildlife trade is thought to be second only to the drug trade and arms trafficking, and it can be arguably said that the two often go hand in hand together.

Perhilitan have had a busy month, this July, with two other raids resulting in huge seizures:

Raid for Stolen Cars Nets Birds

Over 1000 Endangered Animals Seized in Less Than a week