11Jan

Sabah still strives to ensure Sumatran rhinos’ survival

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 7 — Efforts to ensure the survival of the Sumatran rhinoceros, especially in Sabah, have not ceased, says state tourism, culture and environment minister Datuk Masidi Manjun. He admitted that with the poor health of Iman, the only female rhino in captivity, efforts had become more difficult. “Considering that she (Iman) is the only one left, to me, that is even more difficult (to save Sumatran rhinos from extinction). “You know, when you only have one left, sometimes you have to think twice before engaging in a treatment that has not been proven yet,” he said when met by reporters after opening the Camaca Gelato Concept Cafe here today. Masidi said there had been a lot of suggestions and theories on how to treat Iman, but so far, none were successful. Nevertheless, he was pleased the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD), through its cooperation with various bodies continued to work hard to ensure the survival of the rhino species. “They (SWD) have probably found and been in touch with someone best in the treatment of rhinos,” he noted. Iman has been battling uterine leiomyoma tumour when she began bleeding in her uterus on Dec 14 last year. She is the only female rhino in captivity in the country after the death of Puntung in June last year due to cancer. — Bernama Source: Malay Mail
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20Dec

Female Sumatran rhinoceros diagnosed with tumour in uterus

KOTA KINABALU: The country's last female Sumatran rhinoceros is facing a serious health problem. Sabah Wildlife department director Augustine Tuuga said the rhino, named Iman, is having tumour in her uterus. "Usually, this can be treated with medication and supplements. "But Iman is refusing to leave her mud wallow and she has hardly eaten, so the usual treatment has not been possible," he said in a statement, adding that she charges at anyone who goes near. Augustine said the bleeding from her uterus started three days ago. "It is believed that one of the larger tumours might have ruptured and is causing pain and bleeding. "Borneo Rhino Alliance (BORA) veterinarians are constantly monitoring Iman along with the keepers. We are hoping for the best and will keep the public informed," he said. Iman was the last wild rhino found in Malaysia. She was captured in Danum Valley and transported to Tabin Wildlife in Lahad Datu in March 2014. Despite being diagnosed with severe fibroids in the uterus, she still produced eggs for the in-vitro fertilisation attempts. Iman and another male rhino Kertam are kept at Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Lahad Datu under the care of BORA. Augustine said Tabin has received nearly six meters of rainfall this year making Iman's paddock a quagmire and making things even more difficult. The country lost another female rhino, Puntung, about six months ago. Puntung was euthanised on June 4 after suffering three months from skin cancer.   Source: New Straits Times
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10Aug

Arnab Village in Ranau earns RM300,000 in a year

KOTA KINABALU: The Arnab Village in Kampung Purakagis, Ranau located about 104km  from here, has generated  RM300,000 in revenue through ticket sales after a year of operation. The new tourism product  in Ranau  which is operated by Jubair Juhinin, a graduate of Aquaculture Science from the University  Malaysia Sabah (UMS), has become one of the tourist  destinations  in the district, besides the Mount of Kinabalu, Sabah  Tea Garden, Poring Hot Spring and  the Tagal Sungai Moroli in Kampung Luanti. Jubair, 27, told Bernama  he had never expected his hobby of keeping rabbits would turn  into a business in the rural tourism industry in Sabah  which promised a bright future. Although the business started with less than RM5,000, with minimum facilities and environmental landscapes, he was optimistic the tourism product which was developed on a 0.2-hectare land would bring good returns. Now, upgrading works are underway gradually at the Arnab Village for visitor convenience. “The upgrading works  include  public facilities such as toilets, garden expansion, rabbit stables and building a souvenir  shop. While for the third phase of development, we will focus on building restaurants and accessory shops. “Besides that, we will build shop lots around villages to be rented by traders to sell craft products, food or related products to help them in generating income,” he said here yesterday. Jubair  was met by Bernama  at the Sabah Rural Tourism Roadshow programme organised by the Sabah Tourism Board. The three-day event started last Friday aimed at showcasing Sabah’s rural based tourism products to tourism industry players and the public at large, besides leveraging the expertise and know-how of industry players in packaging and promoting rural tourism experience to the domestic and international markets. Furthermore, the young entrepreneur said there were 400 rabbits of eight species namely, New Zealand White; Standard Rex; Mini Satin; Lion Head; Netherland Dwarf; Lop Ear; Anggora; and Local Breed, that were released to roam around in a fenced area to enable visitors to take photos and videos of the animal. Jubair said he aimed to keep about 1,000 rabbits at the garden early next year. “For the second year, we aim to attract more visitors with revenue of RM500,000 through ticket sales,” he added. Therefore, he said the Sabah Rural Tourism Roadshow  programme had opened an opportunity for him and his team to expand networking. Admission ticket to the Arnab Village for locals is RM3 (children) and RM5 (adult); while for international visitors RM5 (children) and RM10 (adult) The Arnab Village, the first such tourism product in Sabah is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Source: The Borneo Post
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09Aug

Ranau’s Arnab Village: Young entrepreneur turns hobby into successful business venture

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 8 — The Arnab Village in Kampung Purakagis, Ranau located about 104km from here, has generated RM300,000 in revenue through ticket sales after a year of operation. The new tourism product in Ranau which is operated by Jubair Juhinin, a graduate of Aquaculture Science from the University Malaysia Sabah (UMS), has become one of the tourist destinations in the district, besides the Mount of Kinabalu, Sabah Tea Garden, Poring Hot Spring and the Tagal Sungai Moroli in Kampung Luanti. Jubair, 27, told Bernama he had never expected his hobby of keeping rabbits would turn into a business in the rural tourism industry in Sabah which promised a bright future. Although the business started with less than RM5,000, with minimum facilities and environmental landscapes, he was optimistic the tourism product which was developed on a 0.2 hectare land would bring good returns. Now, upgrading works are underway gradually at the Arnab Village for visitor convenience. “The upgrading works include public facilities such as toilets, garden expansion, rabbit stables and building a souvenir shop. While for the third phase of development, we will focus on building restaurants and accessory shops. “Besides that, we will build shop lots around villages to be rented by traders to sell craft products, food or related products to help them in generating income,” he said here yesterday. Jubair was met by Bernama at the Sabah Rural Tourism Roadshow programme organised by the Sabah Tourism Board. The three-day event started last Friday aimed at showcasing Sabah’s rural based tourism products to tourism industry players and the public at large, besides leveraging the expertise and know-how of industry players in packaging and promoting rural tourism experience to the domestic and international markets. Furthermore, the young entrepreneur said there were 400 rabbits of eight species namely, New Zealand White; Standard Rex; Mini Satin; Lion Head; Netherland Dwarf; Lop Ear; Anggora; and Local Breed, that were released to roam around in a fenced area to enable visitors to take photos and videos of the animal. Jubair said he aimed to keep about 1,000 rabbits at the garden early next year. “For the second year, we aim to attract more visitors with revenue of RM500,000 through ticket sales,” he added. Therefore, he said the Sabah Rural Tourism Roadshow programme had opened an opportunity for him and his team to expand networking. Admission ticket to the Arnab Village for locals is RM3 (children) and RM5 (adult); while for international visitors RM5 (children) and RM10 (adult) The Arnab Village, the first such tourism product in Sabah is open daily from 9am to 5pm.  — Bernama Source: Malay Mail Online
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