In a statement today, department director Augustine Tuuga said the department was tipped off by the public about the activities of the man, who is believed to have advertised the sale of the pangolin in a WhatsApp group.

“Yesterday, at 11am, a team of four department personnel was dispatched to inspect a grey Proton Persona which was parked near a petrol station in Kota Belud town.

“Upon inspection, the team found a live pangolin in the boot of the car.

“A 20-year-old local man from Kota Belud, who was also the driver of the vehicle, was arrested for further investigation,” he said.

Tuuga said both the pangolin and the car were seized by the Sabah Wildlife Department.

The pangolin is listed as a fully protected animal under the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.

Possession of any animal listed under this enactment, without any permit from the Sabah Wildlife Department, is an offence which is punishable by a fine of not less than RM50,000 but not exceeding RM250,000 and imprisonment of not less than one year but not exceeding five years.

Tuuga thanked the public for their help in providing the information leading to the arrest.