The Ratanakkiri provincial authorities on Thursday warned of tough action against traders, vendors and restaurant owners who continue to deal in and serve bush meat.

The warning came two days after Forestry Administration and Military Police officers raided a market in Banlung town and confiscated 72kg of bush meat.

In a five-point directive to combat bush meat trading that was issued on Wednesday, provincial governor Thong Savon said those failing to comply will face legal action.

He said the directive aims to protect rare and endangered wildlife species and strengthen forestry law and the law on Natural Protected Areas.

The directive bans bush meat trading and consumption, import and export of live wild animals without permits, the raising of wild animals, poaching and any activity that is harmful to wild animal habitats.

The directive also encouraged the public to report cases of wildlife crimes.

“The authorities will resort to strict law enforcement if traders, vendors, restaurant owners, and souvenir shop owners do not comply with the five measures,” he said.

Separately in Kampong Cham province, police and Forestry Administration officials confiscated 46 live wild animals and 120kg of bush meat in a raid on two restaurants on Tuesday.

Kampong Cham town Military Police commander Long Vuthy told The Post on Thursday that the first restaurant owner, a 46-year-old from Veal Vong commune, was educated and made to pay a fine of 3.5 million riel ($850).

In the raid, officers seized 45.5kg of sparrow and dove meat, and seven turtle shells.

The second restaurant owner, Chhe Veasna, 31, from Kampong Cham town’s Boeung Kuk commune, will be sent to court.

“She still sold bush meat despite having been educated twice. So we’ve decided to build a case against her to send to court,” Vuthy said.

He said officers confiscated 12 live turtles weighing 12kg and 269 turtle shells weighing 50.5kg from her restaurant.