MMEA SEIZES 200 EXOTIC POSSUM FROM INDONESIAN BOAT

JOHOR BAHARU (Johor, Malaysia), March 2 (Bernama) -- The Southern Region Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) thwarted an attempt to smuggle 200 Sugar glider possum into the country when it seized an Indonesian boat Tuesday morning.

The squirrel-like marsupials worth about RM64,200, were found in nine cages wrapped in gunny sacks in the passenger boat which was intercepted in Pengerang waters off Kota Tinggi here. (US$1=RM3.05)

Priced at between RM200 and RM350, initial investigations revealed the squirrel-like possum were meant for sale to ready Malaysian buyers.

The agency's enforcement chief, First Admiral Zulkifili Abu Bakar said the vessel from Batam, Indonesia was stopped by an MMEA patrol boat about 7.30am, about four nautical miles east of Tanjung Penyusup, Pengerang.

In a statement Tuesday, he said that a search led to the seizure of the possum and arrest of the 44-year-old skipper and his 36-year-old crewman.

Zulkifili said initial investigations revealed the men were on their way to a certain location in the Pengerang waters to sell the exotic animals for export to other countries.

The animals were handed over to the state veterinary department for further action, he added.

The Sugar glider possum, scientifically known as Petaurus breviceps, is a small gliding marsupial native to Tasmania, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.