News reports quoted Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar saying that the nearly 20 species of animals recovered in the operation by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), were worth about RM500,000.

Also seized were a leopard, mouse deer, turtle, four monkeys, birds and squirrels.

Five wildlife traffickers were also arrested during the operation, dubbed Ops Taring, in Kedah, Kelantan and Selangor. The raids were conducted at two pet shops and three private premises.

Perhilitan officers also arrested an Indian national at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on the same day, for attempting to smuggle tiger and other animal parts, including teeth, claws and skin. All five men are believed to be part of the same syndicate, who dealt with wildlife trafficking via social media.

Wan Junaidi said the six-month-old tiger cub, for instance, was “critically endangered”, but was meant to be sold to a Malaysian for RM200,000.

He dubbed the people’s penchant for exotic animals like tigers and alligators, as a “disturbing development”.

Wan Junaidi also advocated for wildlife traffickers to be jailed, instead of being fined, for their crimes.

The Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 imposes a fine of between RM100,000 and RM500,000, and a maximum five years in jail, or both, for wildlife traffickers, which Wan Junaidi said does not pose a challenge to traffickers who are willing to fork out the fines.

He urged judges presiding on such cases to jail offenders, so that the traffickers can see “how they like being in a cage”.