Anson Wong, 52, described as one of the world's most-wanted traffickers, pleaded guilty last week to attempting to smuggle 95 endangered boa constrictors to neighbouring Indonesia.

He was sentenced under laws which prohibit the export of animals without a permit and fined 190,000 ringgit (61,000 dollars), the Star newspaper said on its website.

An official from the Wildlife and National Parks Department confirmed the sentence to AFP but declined further comment. Wong had faced a maximum seven years in jail.

Wildlife groups criticised the penalty, saying it was "disappointing" that the courts had not thrown the book at "a man who has brought shame to this country" with his wildlife smuggling conviction abroad.

"This is a tragedy. It clearly tells wildlife traffickers that they have little to fear from Malaysian law," Traffic Southeast Asia regional director William Schaedla said in a statement.

The group pointed out that two women, both first-time offenders, who were found with two endangered Madagascan tortoises had been sentenced to one year in jail in July.

"As the government was not successful in delivering a harsh, deterrent sentence to a long-time, globally known and convicted wildlife trafficker, it gives up little hope that other offenders will be penalised accordingly."

"It sends a clear message that Malaysia is not ready to stand up and battle wildlife crime," Schaedla added.

WWF Malaysia described the amount of the fine as a "slap on the wrist", and urged the authorities to revoke Wong's licences to trade in wildlife, including permits for wildlife establishments he runs as well as those linked to his family.

Its executive director Dionysius Sharma said the move against Wong's trade was needed to prevent "the risk of illegal wildlife trade being furthered under the guise of legality and still very much under Wong's control".

Authorities have said Wong was arrested after his luggage broke while on the conveyor belt. Airline staff later found snakes and a turtle in his bag.

Wong was reportedly sentenced to 71 months in jail in the United States in 2001 after he pleaded guilty to trafficking charges.

Despite efforts by Southeast Asian authorities to crack down on animal smuggling, the practice still persists in the region, posing a threat to endangered species, activists say.

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