Seven local men, believed to be hard core poachers, were arrested in Gua Musang, Kelantan, on Feb 10 in a joint operation by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).

Perhilitan director-general Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the suspects, aged between 20 to 50 years, were arrested with animal parts worth about RM500,000 in the operation. 

"With the arrests, Perhilitan has crippled the main group of poachers in Kelantan responsible for killing wildlife such as elephants, gaurs, sambar deer and mountain goats.

"The poachers are believed to have killed at least 15 wild elephants since 2013 and sold the animal parts in the local market and in a neighbouring country," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

The seven suspects have been remanded for four days starting Feb 11 to assist investigation under Section 68 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

Abdul Kadir said they seized four rifles, about 100 rounds of ammunition, three plastic explosives, detonators and two four-wheel drive vehicles from the suspects.

Following the arrests, Perhilitan also raided several premises in Tanah Merah and Gua Musang and seized two elephant tusks, smoked elephant meat, nine chainsaws and 56 rounds of ammunition.

The Wildlife Department has also roped in the police since the seizures include firearms and explosives.

-Bernama