Sabah resort in the soup for serving up pangolin dishes

KOTA KINABALU – A resort offering pangolin soup and meat as an “exquisite” experience for tourists faces heavy penalties after the authorities swooped in on its illegal activities.

In an integrated crackdown dubbed Ops Khazanah on Feb 23, Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) officials, together with the police, raided a resort in the Semporna district after receiving information that the operators kept pangolins and listed them on its menu.

“During the raid, a live pangolin and several pots containing cooked pangolin in herbal soup were found,” SWD director Soffian Abu Bakar said in a statement on Feb 24.

Three people were also arrested under the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, he said.

He said as the pangolin is a species protected in Sabah, no one is allowed to possess, keep or sell the animal or serve it as food in the state.

Those found guilty can be fined between RM50,000 (S$16,200) and RM250,000 and jailed for up to five years, he said.

“We are taking this matter, as well as any incidents of preparing protected species as exotic meals for tourists, very seriously and would take strict actions against perpetrators,” said Mr Soffian.

He said such irresponsible actions are not only illegal but also affect environmental protection initiatives and tarnish Sabah’s image as a responsible, sustainable nature tourism destination.

“We are stepping up patrols and enforcement to protect our wildlife in Sabah,” he added. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK