Malaysia seizes wok-bound pangolins

Asia - AFP ^ | Tue Jun 15, 2:14 AM | AFP

[hedgetrimmer]

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Malaysian wildlife authorities said they had seized 280 live pangolins and arrested three suspects believed to be part of an international smuggling ring trafficking endangered animals to restaurants in China.



"The pangolins were in a lorry bound for southern Thailand," said Abdul Jalal Kassim, Wildlife Department head of operations.

"The end market for these protected animals would have been Guangzhou, China, where they would be sold for their meat and scales," he told AFP.

The live pangolins were discovered late Monday in southern Johor state following a tip-off, he said.

"This is part of an international syndicate linking Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and China," said Abdul Jalal.

He said the scaly anteaters could fetch around 50 ringgit (around 13 dollars) per kilogramme (2.2 pounds) in Malaysia, with each animal weighing about eight to 13 kilos. In China, the price could go up to 100 ringgit per kilo, he said.

"It's a lucrative business, that's why these smuggling activities are so rampant, with a number of syndicates smuggling pangolins and other protected animals across the border," he said.

"Our department has been cooperating with our neighbours like Thailand, exchanging information on our animals being smuggled there and vice versa," he said.

The rescued pangolins would soon be released in the country's national parks and wildlife reserves, he said.

A Malaysian man, his Thai wife and a Malaysian lorry driver would be charged with possessing and smuggling protected animals, which carries a maximum fine of 10,000 ringgit and up to 10 years in jail, Abdul Jalal said.

However, those convicted rarely get severe punishments, he said pointing out that a local man charged with smuggling 218 pangolins last month was Tuesday fined 4,500 ringgit and received no jail sentence.

The scaly anteaters found in Asia and Africa are considered a delicacy in China and other countries, and are prized for their use in traditional medicine.

[hedgetrimmer]

Looks like a skinny armadillo, doesn't it?

[BenLurkin]

Yummy!

[ikka]

Would it make a good pet? I would be the first on the block to have one.

[hedgetrimmer]

Do you have a nice termite mound? Your pangolin will want to visit it for snacks. You'll also have to supply a hollow tree for it to curl up in at night.

[hedgetrimmer]

This just in:

Pangolins have scent glands similar to those of the skunk which they can use to spray enemies.

A good pet? Maybe not...

[ikka]

Pangolins have scent glands similar to those of the skunk which they can use to spray enemies.

I guess they could be removed. I would be sure to use a heavy-duty chain for a leash and call him "Spike" and "my armored pit bull" on walks.

[nw_arizona_granny]

You should see this new pet.

[Clock King]

One major aspect of Asian cultures I can't stand (esp. China and Japan) is their stupid belief that they can eat any living on the planet. I find this cultural behavior repugnant. If were up to them, they'd strip mine the planet (they already try to do that to the ocean) and eat it. They need to move into the 20th century.

[Fresh Wind]

Pangolin sushi. Yummmmm!!

[Clock King]

I can't type this morning: should be : eat any living thing on the planet..

[Clock King]

I you want some nast-tee(!) sushi, try sea cucumber. Uugh! I tried it when I was in Japan, and thought I was going to gag. You know sea cucumber is big slug that lives in the ocean, right?

[capt. norm]

They appear to be similar to the armadillo (known here in the South as "Possum on the half-shell").

[Elsie]

One major aspect of Asian cultures I can't stand (esp. China and Japan) is their stupid belief that they can eat any living on the planet. I find this cultural behavior repugnant.

 

Then you must find these Middle-Eastern statements made years ago upsetting as well...........

 

 

Genesis 1:29
 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

 

Genesis 9:3
   Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

Acts 10:9-15
  9.  About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 
 10.  He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
 11.  He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.
 12.  It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air.
 13.  Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
 14.  "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
 15.  The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

 

 

 

 

[Elsie]

wok-bound pangolins

Isn't that a punk rock group outta Seattle???

[Nefaria]

Very bizarre looking animal.

eww and I wouldn't eat them..yuck

[hedgetrimmer]

wok-bound pangolins

After I read that title, I had to post.

[Fresh Wind]

I you want some nast-tee(!) sushi, try sea cucumber.

Thanks, but I think I will pass on your offer. I ate a raw shrimp once in Japan, and that was bad enough. At least I was able to keep it down. I know a guy who threw up immediately upon eating one of these.

[Elsie]

How do you feel about LOBSTERS?!

[Elsie]

Armored Dildo?

Ins't that a..................

Oh.... never mind..........

[Clock King]

Yeah, right. This was written by people almost 2000 years ago living in a near scrub dessert living hand to mouth. And interpreted from one ancient language to another and another and another. We don't have to follow those words anymore.