Smuggling of Magpies from Malaysia is escalating 05 Mar 2021 / 18:36 H. Pix for representational purpose only. Bernama
JOHOR BAHRU: A big jump in Oriental magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis/burung murai kampung) smuggling is causing worry about the species becoming extinct.
According to a report published by The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (Traffic) and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) today, 26,950 birds were confiscated between January 2015 and December 2020, with 17,736 seized last year, accounting for nearly 66 per cent.
The report added that trafficking was still rife despite the restriction in movement of people and goods due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The non-governmental organisation said the big local and international demand – particularly from Indonesia for the songbird has created a worrying situation which could lead to uncontrolled trapping and extinction.