Cambodian officials bust wild food restaurants
Copyright 2001 Reuters
October 3, 2001
PHNOM PENH - Cambodia's wildlife officials said yesterday they rescued over 1,300 endangered animals from the kitchens of restaurants in Phnom Penh.
The endangered animals were discovered in a three-month operation against restaurants specialising in rare delicacies, said Sun Hean of the Agriculture Ministry's wildlife protection unit.
"We rescued wild boars, porcupines, a sun bear, rare turtles and pangolins," Sun Hean said. Pangolins are scaly ant-eaters.
Some 1,360 wild animals were rescued and 88 kg of animal meat confiscated during sting operations on 137 restaurants, said Eng Peotith, a military police official attached to the ministry.
No arrests were made as Cambodian law - which bans trade in wild animals - allows only a small fine for those involved in the business, he said.
"The number of restaurants specialising in these animals has increased. Eating rare animals is becoming more popular."
The rescued animals had been sent to a zoo and a national park outside Phnom Penh, Eng said.
Phnom Penh Governor Chea Sophara said yesterday he would call the owners of 193 restaurants to a meeting to discuss the mushrooming wild meat trade.
Chea Sophara said he would also issue a directive banning endangered meat from restaurant menus. Restaurants would have two months to comply or face closure.
"Restaurants that still serve wild food will be shut down in two months," he said.