NGO wants MACC to probe transfer of 3 elephants to Japan

 Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia says documents obtained from an anonymous source raised several concerns regarding the elephants' origin and relocation.

The three elephants have been sent to Japan under a transfer agreement with Tennoji Zoo as part of a conservation and research programme. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

An environmental group has called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the transfer of three elephants to Japan.

Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia (Peka) president Rajesh Nagarajan said documents obtained from an anonymous source raised several concerns regarding the relocation of the three elephants — Dara, Amoi and Kelat — to the Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan.

He said one document classified the elephants under “Appendix I-W” of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The “W” indicated that these elephants were taken from the wild rather than born in captivity.

“And if they are classified as ‘W’, they cannot simply be removed from the country because elephants are a national treasure,” he said at a press conference here.

Rajesh also questioned claims that the elephants had been transferred from Taiping Zoo to Japan, stating that veterinary documents of the transfer were signed by a veterinary officer from Pahang.

“The elephants are said to be from Taiping Zoo, but the veterinary officer from Pahang signed off (on the arrangement)?”

He said this raised questions about the elephants’ actual origin before their relocation. - FMT