Suspect for poisoning animals in Melaka Zoo remanded

A 65-year-old man was arrested early today following the alleged fatal poisoning of a sun bear and a ‘Thoroughbred’ horse in the Melaka Zoo and Night Safari.

The suspect was later confirmed working as a trader, not with the zoo as claimed earlier.

The man is remanded for four days starting today (Wednesday) to assist in the investigation.

According to Melaka CID chief ACP Raja Shahrom Raja Abdullah, the police picked up the man at a housing area in Kulai Besar, Johor about 1 am and seized a vehicle and several items related to the case from him.

He added the suspect admitted to being involved in the case, but it is too early to reveal the motive of his action.

Raja Shahrom said the police went after the man for he was caught on the zoo's CCTV behaving suspiciously.

The case is investigated under Section 429 of the Penal Code for mischief with intent to kill or injure animals with imprisonment up to five years or a fine or both, if convicted.

A stallion aged 17 and a female sun bear aged between 14 and 16 died in the Melaka Zoo on Sunday. They were believed to have been poisoned through food.