Conservationists in Sabah state push for full protection after record seizure

KOTA KINABALU — The shocking seizure of eight tonnes — that’s 8,000kg — of pangolin scales in Sabah meant for the Chinese market has proven the need to expedite the upgrading of the pangolin’s protected status in Sabah. Conservationists who were shocked and dismayed by the latest haul said that the rising number of wildlife trafficking and poaching involving Sabah is putting its declining population at a higher risk. They said its status must be upgraded from Schedule 2 to Schedule 1 where it will be fully protected under the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.