Langur in City Spotlights Efforts to Tackle Wildlife Trade Online

Picture from Macaranga (via locals)

In an article by Macaranga, Lee Kwai Han traces the story of Langur in the city, and how that relates to a larger problem of online wildlife crimes that are rampant on social media in Malaysia.

Malaysia is one of the top 7 countries where one can easily buy a live primate online. All native primate species are either protected or totally protected in the country and require government approvals to be traded or kept. But primates are still actively traded as pets in Malaysia because of inadequate laws, enforcement, and public awareness. Most owners, sellers, and poachers go unpunished.

PERHILITAN told Macaranga that illegal online wildlife trade happens via social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram and TikTok), and instant messaging apps (Whatsapp, Telegram and WeChat). They have received 111–201 complaints yearly of such sales since 2020.

In a separate statement to Macaranga, PERHILITAN said they have long been collaborating with social media platform providers, e-commerce companies and telecommunication companies, especially in sharing wildlife cybercrime information. 

David Kennedy

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