Wildlife Crime

A KOREAN man working for an agricultural firm in Kampong Speu province has been arrested and detained for illegally keeping two bears at his residence, officials said.

Eoun Chantha, deputy head of the Forestry Administration triage in Phnom Sruoch district’s Traeng Trayeung commune, said yesterday that Kong Wou-ki, a representative of CJ Cambodia Co Ltd, a South Korean manufacturer of tapioca starch, was arrested Thursday for keeping two black bears without permission.

“According to the Forestry Law, raising any wildlife without permission from the Forestry Administration is illegal, and the animals will be confiscated and kept at the state zoo,” he said.

Eoun Chantha said Kong Wou-ki confessed to police and forestry officials that he had kept the two bears, which have now been taken to Phnom Tamao Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Centre in Takeo province.

Kampong Speu provincial court director Khlaut Pich, who is in charge of the case, could not be reached for comment. Judge Keo Mony said Kong Wou-ki had been freed on bail, but did not state the charges.