Look at their faces… why would you ever want to hurt them?
The only way to control the numbers of positive COVID-19 cases is to abide by the Movement Control Order (MCO). But don’t worry, the government and researchers have not stopped looking for a cure for the virus. We all just have to be patient.
Photo via mongabay.com
Unfortunately, a development in the research for a cure for COVID-19 has led to our Malayan sun bears to be threatened.
A report by National Geographic stated that the Chinese government has recommended using Tan Re Qing which is an injection containing bear bile for the more severe cases of COVID-19. Tan Re Qing is one of the recommended COVID-19 treatments on a list that was published by China’s National Health Commission.
According to Astro Awani, the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) is currently taking steps to ban illegal hunting in the state and has issued a warning to hunters. The SFC stated that the threat of illegal hunting towards the sun bears is facing a drastic increase.
A spokesperson for SFC said they’ve had stricter roadblocks at the international borders to make sure hunters and smugglers can’t escape, “This is to enable the illegal activities to be abolished and to allow those arrested for trespassing and smuggling to receive the punishment under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.”
SFC is working together with government agencies like the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Port Authorities, and Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).
The spokesperson also added that the frontliners are working hard to find a cure for COVID-19 but illegal hunting is NOT a solution!
Besides the fact that they are adorable, the Malayan sun bears are described to be the “forest’s doctors”, as they use their claws to scrape off and destroy termite nests around tree barks, and in turn, save the host tree from dying due to termite infestation.
So please, stop animal hunting! They, too, deserve a good life.
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
