The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) is probing the alleged shooting of a chimpanzee at an animal park in Langkawi.

This followed a call by NGO Friends of Orangutans for the department to be transparent about the incident.

In response, Perhilitan said it is presently probing the death of the chimpanzee, named Sumumo, having received the postmortem report.

“The department has begun an investigation paper on this issue and investigations are being done under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

“If the animal park is found to be guilty of any wrongdoing, the department will take action against the park,” Perhilitan told Malaysiakini in an email.

Zoo operators guilty of violating provisions in the act face a maximum fine of RM100,000, five years' jail, or both.

‘Surprise audits’ on zoo

Friends of Orangutans also previously urged Perhilitan to halt the transfer of a pair of elephants to the same Langkawi animal park.

It claimed the company behind the park ran a similar safari in Pahang, which had allegedly mistreated the elephants under its care.

In response, Perhilitan said it would keep a close watch on the elephant enclosures at the animal park in question to ensure they abide by regulations.

It added the park possessed a valid zoo operating permit and had previously been audited by the department.

“Should any of the exhibits fail to meet specifications, warnings and improvements will be made. The zookeepers will need to carry out the improvements suggested, including improvements to the size of the enclosures and the type of enrichment structures built,” it said.

Perhilitan added that it would continue to conduct “surprise audits” on the animal park, but did not comment on the transfer of the elephants.

Malaysiakini is withholding the name of the parks pending comment from its owner.