Malaysian resort owners face huge fines, jail over ‘exotic’ pangolin menu for tourists
An official said the establishment’s action tarnished Sabah’s image as a responsible, sustainable nature tourism destination
A Malaysian resort offering pangolin soup and meat for an “exquisite” experience for tourists is going to pay dearly after authorities swooped in on their illegal activities.
In an integrated crackdown dubbed “Ops Khazanah” on Monday, Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) officials, together with the police, raided a resort in Semporna district after getting information that the operators were storing and serving the protected species.
“During the raid, a live pangolin as well as several pots containing cooked pangolin in herbal soup were found,” SWD director Soffian Abu Bakar said in a statement on Tuesday.
Three individuals were also arrested to facilitate investigations under the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, he said.
As a species listed as totally protected in Sabah, no one is allowed to possess, keep, sell or serve this animal as a meal in any way in the state, he said.
Those found guilty can be fined between 50,000 ringgit (US$12,840) and 250,000 ringgit and jailed at least one to five years, he said.