The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has detected illegal hunting activities involving protected binturongs, believed to be targeted for the exotic pet market.
Perhilitan director-general Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the binturong, scientifically known as Arctictis binturong, is an arboreal mammal from the civet family commonly found across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.
He explained that the species is currently listed under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
According to investigations conducted by the department, the smuggling methods used for binturongs are believed to mirror those involving other protected wildlife species.
Authorities suspect the animals are captured by poachers either from forests within Malaysia or neighbouring countries before being trafficked through local and international black markets.
“The black market value for a single binturong is estimated to range between RM10,000 and RM15,000,” Abdul Kadir revealed.
He added that Perhilitan records show at least one seizure case involving a binturong since last year, which led to the arrest of a local man.
Members of the public found keeping the protected species without a special permit can face prosecution under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716).
Abdul Kadir issued a stern warning to anyone involved in wildlife crime activities, urging them to stop immediately or risk facing severe legal consequences.
The department also called on the public to assist authorities by reporting any wildlife crime activities through the Perhilitan hotline or its official e-complaint platform.
The growing demand for exotic animals as pets continues to pose a serious threat to wildlife conservation efforts across Southeast Asia, with traffickers increasingly targeting rare and protected species for profit.
