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The operation, carried out on Feb. 23, involved officers from the Sabah Wildlife Department working alongside police to raid a resort in Semporna district, The Straits Times reported.
The investigation was launched following reports that pangolins were being kept on the premises and offered as part of the resort's menu.
Enforcement officers discovered a live pangolin during the raid, along with multiple pots of pangolin prepared in herbal soup.
Authorities emphasized that pangolins are fully protected in Sabah, making it illegal to possess, trade, or serve the species for consumption, The Star reported.
Offenders may face fines ranging from RM50,000 to RM250,000 (US$12,873-64,366) in addition to prison sentences of up to five years upon conviction.
Officials warned that the preparation of protected wildlife as exotic tourist fare undermines conservation efforts and damages Sabah’s reputation as a sustainable nature tourism destination.
The department stated it will intensify patrols and enforcement measures to curb similar violations and safeguard the state’s wildlife.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature considered all eight species of pangolin as threatened, classifying three as critically endangered.
