A Cold Shoulder to the Reptilian Encounter

My latest letter to the editors...

Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of visiting the Aquaria at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and experienced the Reptilian Encounter - a month long reptilian exhibition.

Being a herpetology enthusiast, I was impressed by the vast collection of reptilian species but the feeling was short-lived.

I was appalled to find protected and endangered wildlife on display where no commercial trading is allowed for those species. For example, the Indian Star Tortoises (Geochelone Elegans) found only in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan and the Radiated Tortoises (Geochelone Radiata) found only in Madagascar and Mauritius, both listed in CITES as protected.

Malaysian wildlife is not spared either. The Malaysian Earth Tiger tarantula was declared by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as protected wildlife back in April 2005. This species is believed to be endemic to Fraser's Hill - a wildlife reserve.

Who is providing these wildlife to Aquaria and where did they source for them? Upon enquiring the staff of Aquaria, I was told that they belong to a commercial reptile exhibitor.

How did internationally protected wildlife ended up in a commercial reptile exhibitor's collection?

How did the exhibitor sourced for a locally protected wildlife which is endemic to a wildlife reserve?

The Aquaria boasts its nature conservation effort through public awareness and education. I urge the owners and management of Aquaria to be diligent and stringent with their selection of vendors and exhibitors.