It is not surprising that the four gorillas smuggled from Nigeria to Malaysia on false certificates of captive birth left Malaysia in secret - with Malaysia's vigilant press left in the darkness. This was because a vile deed was being done that could not withstand the light of examination by a free press or alert civilians.

Most Malaysians are probably aware that in Asia, baby orangutans are brought into trade by the shooting of mother animals carrying babies. The same is true of Africa's gorillas. But gorillas are a big draw for the world's zoos, and there are some zoos that will make deals with the Devil himself to get them.

Forgetting the slaughter of the mothers and the sufferings inflicted on their babies, Nigeria's presidential panel investigating wildlife crime has revealed that six more gorilla babies had died at Ibadan.

In 2001, a crooked Nigerian businessman offered gorillas to the world's zoos - and claimed they were born in captivity at a zoo that has only one gorilla. Anyone with half-a-brain could smell foul play!

But we are told that Malaysia's then minister of science, technology and environment Law Hieng Ding was 'duped.'. Well, one can take hope in the fact that this man is now a former minister.

Law was again 'duped' when he announced that the best zoo in the world for caring for and breeding gorillas was the Pretoria Zoo in South Africa. At that time, this zoo only owned one elderly male gorilla, three other adults and two babies having died.

It would be interesting to learn who 'duped' the minister on this point. Maybe he duped himself, but why?

Details of the deal that took the four gorillas from Malaysia to a South African zoo - despite the fact that the gorillas had been smuggled aboard a South African airways flight and had passed through South Africa in transit - should be made public in the interests of transparency.

Earlier there was talk of possible offspring of these gorillas being sent to Malaysia, or other African animals. What's going on? SM Idris of SAM is correct to demand an investigation into the affair and to protest the likelihood that all Malaysians involved appear will get off scot-free.

Clearly, Malaysia needs to establish a national wildlife crime unit with the ability to investigate and prosecute criminal activities, such as happened in this case. If Malaysia had a Freedom of Information Act, this would deter government wrongdoing and help expose it when it does happen.

(The writer is the chairperson of the International Primate Protection League).