Tag - Environment

A satellite tagging project has been started, to tag selected male crocodiles in 10 main rivers of Sabah, as part of an on-going project to gain insight into human-crocodile conflicts.

So far, two Kinabatangan river crocodiles have been tagged by the Sabah Wildlife Department, through its Wildlife Rescue Unit and Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC), the latest being a 3.6 metre saltwater crocodile named Lais, on January 27.

DGFC director Dr Benoit Goossens said most human-crocodile conflicts involved large males of the species.

By tagging these animals, long term seasonal movements can be established, which would then help determine how lack of food may be forcing them to consider humans as a source of protein, he added.

“We plan to focus on 10 main rivers in Sabah and fit satellite tags on the male crocodiles in each of these rivers.

“We will also carry out surveys and collect samples to identify patterns of gene flow between the rivers and also to get an overall picture of fertility within the population,” said Goossens who is also leader of the Kinabatangan Crocodile Programme, in a press release issued yesterday.

The 10 rivers are Klias, Padas, Paitan, Sugud, Labuk, Kinabatangan,Segama, Kalumpang, Kalabakan and Serudon, with emphasis on two rivers with different degrees of human pressure — the Kinabatangan and Paitan.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Dr Laurentius Ambu attributed the recent successful tagging of the crocodile in the Kinabatangan river to both the Wildlife Rescue Unit and DGFC’s hard work. Ambu said the Wildlife Rescue Unit, funded by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort and Le Meridien Hotel, has been extremely active since its creation.

DGFC Manager Mark Rampangajouw said a camera set up in the cage had allowed the project team to catch good shots of the crocodile as it took the bait and moved into the trap.

The satellite tagging project is currently funded by the Chester Zoo in Chestershire, UK and DGFC.

Source: Bernama

Sue Sheward, the founder and chairperson of the Orangutan Appeal UK, has been included in The Queen’s New Year’s Honours List and was awarded with an MBE for her work in protecting Asia’s endangered primates.

In an interview held during the Sepilok Orangutan Appeal UK cocktail party at Rasa Ria Resort here on Monday evening, Sheward said she was overwhelmed when she received a letter from the House of Commons informing her that she had been recommended for the Queen’s Honours List in 2012.

“I thought it can’t be true so I phoned the office to ask them if they sent me the letter. They confirmed, so it wasn’t a joke,” she quipped.

The award for the cause of the orangutan would help open doors across the world, she said, adding that it will definitely open more doors in the UK and Europe.

“I hope it will open more doors here and in Asia,” she said.

She also felt that there was a need to explain to the people on the important work the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) and the Appeal are doing.

“Let’s hope that it encourages more people and companies to show their green side,” she said.

Additionally, the award is testimony of her work with the apes of Asia, particularly the orang utan is recognised.

“The orangutan is such an endangered species, it is important worldwide.”

Prior to the knowledge that she has been nominated for the award, Sheward was contemplating retirement.

“But now I can’t. I have to continue to do it,” she said.

Sheward also commented on the European debt crisis and how it is affecting the people’s attitude towards charities since people do not have much money to give away.

“So the level of donation tends not to be so high.”

To generate more fund, Sheward said that they are focusing more on companies and are trying to encourage them to donate to the work of Appeal.

She explained that companies stand to benefit if they donate since they can claim for tax exemption against the donation.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, meanwhile, congratulated Sheward for the recognition accorded upon her for her work in Sabah.

“The fact that she is recognised and honoured shows that what we are doing in Sabah in the conservation of the orangutan is on the right track.

“We always have complaints about how our orangutans are disappearing and how we are not doing enough and that oil palm is killing the orangutans. There has been flying allegations of our conservation efforts but if the British government has honoured her, then we must be doing right. To us, this is an international stamp of approval from the world on what is being done here and for the Appeal,” he said.

Also present at the event was Datuk Mike Steel, the adviser for the Orangutan Appeal UK in Sabah.

Source: Borneo Post

MALAYSIA is known to have some of the best tourist spots in the world. Be it the rainforest or skyscrapers in the city, Malaysia is filled with wonderful sights. In line with this, the Tourism Ministry launched the 1Malaysia Green 1Malaysia Clean Campaign (1MG1MC) last July. The idea, mooted by Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, aims to create greater awareness on preserving the beauty and cleanliness of the country.

“We must protect, preserve and conserve the environment,” stresses Dr Ng.

To ensure success of the campaign, the ministry is working with the Housing and Local Government, Youth and Sports, Education as well as the Natural Resources and Environment Ministries.

“The campaign is now at the initial stage and the ministry plans to make it bigger and broader this year. Hence, we are working with many parties to ensure the campaign will be a big success,” says Arif Mohd Daud Mohd, director of the industry development division at the ministry.

Some of the activities and programmes which have been carried out include:

> Plant A Tree project at ministry-registered homestays, to encourage tourists to cultivate trees at places where they had stayed.

> Gotong-royong activities at tourist spots such as beaches, waterfalls, parks and gardens.

> Activities promoting the 1MG1MC campaign at tourism events such as the Water Festival in Labuan, Langkawi in Kedah and Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan; 1Malaysia International Night Tourism Floral Parade in Putrajaya; Youth Tourism Carnival in Putrajaya; Parks and Garden Carnival in Penang Botanic Garden; and LIMA Tourism Carnival 2011 in Langkawi, Kedah.

> Collaboration with the private sector, media and non-governmental organisations in cleanliness and environmental awareness programmes such as Start in Pulau Tioman in Johor, Project Revive, 1MG1MC Boot Camp and Save Our Waterfall.

> A special TV programme for children featuring the campaign mascot “Mr Bin” to create awareness among children on the importance of keeping the environment clean.

> Collaboration with print and electronic media to publicise the 1MG1MC campaign.

Daud says the ministry plans to bring the campaign to a bigger platform this year. Cleaning efforts at tourist spots with NGOs, the corporate sector and schools will be more frequent. It will work with other groups, both governmental and private, as well as youths in higher education institutions, to spread the message on a greener and cleaner country.

To enhance the campaign, the ministry has launched the 1malay siagreenandclean.com.my website, which highlights and addresses issues pertaining to cleanliness and dirty tourist spots. The website also allows the public and tourists to upload pictures of popular destinations.

Another effort undertaken by the Ministry is to link up with some 36,000 students of 674 secondary schools nationwide which are registered under its Students Tourism Club (Kelab Pelancongan Pelajar or Kelab 3P).

“The mindset of the young should be shaped as they can influence their parents to think green when it comes to recycling and creating a cleaner and healthier lifestyle,” says Daud.

Recently, the Kelab 3P lined up several activities related to 1MG1MC, including a 3P Carnival which saw students competing in public speaking, choir and “explorace”. The 1MG1MC campaign is an excellent initiative to educate the young to keep the country clean, as well as promote the country’s tourism industry.

For more information, go to 1malaysiagreenandclean.com.my or e-mail info@motour.gov.my.

Source: The Star

Bio Channel (Astro 731) will be broadcasting a new documentary titled "Shoot for the Sky" featuring the journey of two photographers, Jonathan Tan and Cede Prudente, to photograph the world's oldest tropical rainforest from the air in Borneo. Cede, 47, is an award-winning local professional photographer, author and conservationist, while Jonathan, 27 is the other photographer noted for his landscape photography.   They will attempt to photograph Sabah from the air and attempt to capture never before documented visuals from the air.   The locations they have chosen include mangroves on the Sandakan coastline, Semporna islands, reefs and home of the sea gypsy and Mount Kinabalu.   To do this, they first have to learn how to fly. See how they master the skill of flying their paramotor. Then follow them on their breathtaking adventure.   As Cede and Jonathan travel via the paramotor, they will offer viewers and extraordinary vantage point to appreciate the beauty of Borneo's tropical rainforest.   With limited flying experience, their journey has been a bumpy one.   Will they succeed against constantly changing weather patterns, mechanical failures and tricky terrain, will they succeed in flying to the peak?   All of this is combined with as much danger and excitement you would expect from an adventurer flying off into the unknown.   Join Cede and Jonathan on a journey of a lifetime.   The encore for the documentary will be on Feb 26 at 11am, Feb 27 at 10pm and March 4 at 7pm.   Source: Daily Express

The Lahad Datu Tower of Heaven (Menara Kayangan Lahad Datu), standing 33 metres on Mount Silam, 10km from the township, will be opened to the public next month or March. The observation tower overlooking the picturesque Darvel Bay is set to be a new attraction for the district, which is already serving as the gateway to key natural attractions like Tabin and Danum Valley.   At 880m above sea level, Mt Silam is the highest point in Lahad Datu and forms part of the Sepagaya Forest Reserve. The observation tower was built by the State Forestry Department.   Its Director, Datuk Sam Mannan, also announced the recent publication of a pamphlet that will serve as a quick guide to the natural wonders of Mt Silam.   "The guide provides an overview of the different forest types found in Silam and the rich and unique plants and animals that they support.   In the pipeline is an interpretation centre as well as a two-kilometre nature trail to the summit of Mt SilamÉthis facility will further enhance the role and the capacity of the Forestry Department in catering to nature education," he said.   The tower construction was funded by the Federal Government at a cost of RM1.8 million, under the RM1 billion economic stimulation allocation to Sabah.   Mannan also showed a pocket booklet recently published by the department entitled Birds of the Heritage Amenity Forest Reserve.   It is a photo compilation of 48 bird species commonly observed within the 7-hectare man-made forest surrounding the Forestry Department headquarters in Sandakan.   "When greening work began in 2002 to convert this former rubber plantation to a forest patch of mixed species, birds were far from mind.   As this planted forest grew in stature, the increasingly active bird life caught my attention," he said.   Today, the seven-hectare Heritage Forest comprises 137 largely native tree species.   "As more and more natural habitats disappear, such small patches of forest are becoming increasingly important oases for birds to nest, breed, take shelter, and feed," he said.   Source: Daily Express