222 Rat Snakes confiscated at Tarpalan Bridge between the Northern and Southern Shan States
and Elephant Poacher Prosecuted in Kyauktagar Township

Officers release the snakes back to the wild

On 28 January 2013 - a team comprised of Forest Department officials and Myanmar National Police Force seized 222 Rat Snakes as an action to combat wildlife trafficking at Tarpalan bridge, located at the border between the Northern and Southern Shan States. In accordance with the Protection of Wildlife and Protected Areas Law (1994), Myanmar National Police Force (Naung Cho Township) took action against the owner-carrier of the snakes. The defendant was charged according to Article No. 35(a) of the Protection of Wildlife and Protected Areas Law (1994). All the Rat Snakes were released into Shwe-U-Daung Wildlife Sanctuary.

Section 35(A) states whoever commits hunting without a license shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 years or with fine which may extend to Kyats 10,000 or with both.

Elephant Poacher Prosecuted in Kyauktagar Township

An operation on combating illegal killings of wild elephants has been successfully launched in Kyauktagar Township through the joint collaboration of the Forest Department staff, Myanmar National Police Force, and local village administers. On 29 January 2013, a staff from a private forest plantation camp provided information about an illegal killing of a wild elephant, which occurred in Compartment No.(109), Binder Forest Reserve, Bago Region. A dead elephant, two tusks, and one motorbike were confiscated. The poacher was charged according to Article No.37 (a) of the Protection of Wildlife and Protected Areas Law(1994).

Section 37(A) states whoever commits killing, hunting or wounding a completely protected wildlife species without permission; possessing, selling, transporting or transferring such wildlife or any part thereof shall, on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 7 years or with fine which may extend to Kyats 50,000 or with both.