Wednesday September 8, 2010
Probe on how Wong boarded plane with snakes
By Christina Chin
[email protected]
GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is still trying to solve the mystery of how wildlife trafficker Anson Wong managed to board a flight at Penang International Airport with a bag full of snakes. “I cannot give you the details of the investigation but we will try to complete it as soon as possible,” said MAHB senior general manager (operations services) Datuk Azmi Murad.
Ninety-five boa constrictors, two rhinoceros vipers and a matamata turtle were found by baggage handlers in Wong’s check-in suitcase during his transit through KLIA from Penang on a flight bound for Jakarta. The snakes were found in containers wrapped in sarong. Wong was arrested on Aug 26. He was jailed six months and fined RM190,000 on Monday for smuggling 95 snakes.
State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh called for transparency and urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the alleged involvement of a high-ranking officer from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks with the wildlife dealer. Known as the “Pablo Escobar of the wildlife trade”, Wong had earlier been linked to the proposed tiger park initiated by the Penang government.
Two Bengal tigers allegedly belonging to Wong were previously kept at the Bukit Jambul Hibiscus, Orchids and Reptile Farm but have been moved to a private location. They will eventually be housed in a reptile garden in the forest reserve. Phee said the state government had no dealings with Wong. “All our facilities at the forest reserve are ready but we have yet to move the reptiles and tigers there because we want to make sure that everything is done legally. State MACC director Datuk Latifah Md Yatim could not be reached for comment.
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Published: Friday October 8, 2010 MYT 10:27:00 AM
Updated: Friday October 8, 2010 MYT 11:04:08 AM
Wildlife officials seize Anson Wong's Bengal tigers
By JOSEPHINE SALLEH
BALIK PULAU: The National Parks and Wildlife Department (Perhilitan) has seized the two Bengal tigers owned by convicted wildlife smuggler Anson Wong from his private farm in Teluk Bahang here. Ten officers from the department and Malacca zoo officials were involved in the operation, which started at 9.30am Friday.
They managed to carry out the first tiger in a cage about half an hour later. The second tiger, which is much bigger than the first one, was moved out of its enclosure at 10.15am. Both animals were tranquilised before they were taken out from the enclosure.
A crocodile, wrapped and tied in a gunny sack, was carried out in a tub some five minutes later. Around 10.50am, four wildcats were carried out in metal cages. Department officials were expected to continue their operation to seize other animals, giant tortoises and snakes at Wong’s 1.6ha orchard later Friday.
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Saturday October 9, 2010
Wildlife seized from Wong’s private ‘zoo’
By JOSEPHINE JALLEH
[email protected]
Big cat-ch National Parks and Wildlife Department officers carrying a sedated Bengal tiger owned by convicted wildlife smuggler Anson Wong from a private fruit orchard in Penang yesterday.
BALIK PULAU: The National Parks and Wildlife Department (Perhilitan) has seized the two endangered Bengal tigers owned by convicted wildlife smuggler Anson Wong from a private fruit orchard in Teluk Bahang near here. They also removed a 1.52m-long crocodile, four wildcats and six pythons from the 1.6ha orchard which is believed to be owned by Wong’s family. Ten department officers and Malacca zoo officials were involved in the operation yesterday morning.
Slithery rescue: Perhilitan officers and Malacca zoo officials loading the pythons onto a Unit Pengurusan Gajah (Elephant Management Unit) lorry near Wong’s private farm in Teluk Bahang yesterday.
Another Perhilitan team went to Wong’s office in Jones Road in George Town where they seized about 20 snakes from 9am to noon. The seizure at the orchard drew much attention with media personnel arriving as early as 7.30am to wait for the tigers to be carried out of the premises. Village folk and passers-by also lingered in the area with their cameras in hand ready to snap pictures of the endangered species.
Crocodile lock: Perhilitan officers trying to get a grip on the crocodile rescued in yesterday’s operation.
As the first tiger was carried out in a cage at 10am, there was a commotion when everyone tried to close-in to take photos of it. The second tiger, which was much bigger than the first one, was moved out of its enclosure at 10.15am. All the animals were sent to the Penang National Park where over 50 other animals seized on Thursday, belonging to Wong and his wife, were placed temporarily. The animals seized on Thursday were birds, snakes and monitor lizards.
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