eagles, hippopotamus, microchip implant and complaint letter - news from Malaysia

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The Star - Pantai Acheh, Penang.

 

With the focus on eco-tourism by the Government during the sluggish economy,

Penang's very own " eagle feeding " spot (once Pantai Acheh is gazetted as a

national park) will be a major tourist draw. The reason is that nowhere else

in the world is there 1 265ha of natural park which is located so close to town.

A colony of about 40 white bellied sea eagles chose to nest in the tropical

forest reserve because of the abundance of a species of the shorea curtisiisic

or seraya tree found there.

 

These trees have not been touched for over 100 years and thus the eagles'

habitat is not disturbed. The seraya tree has exceedingly tall trunk and huge

branches. The reason eagles concentrate around the Tanjung bay area of Pantai

Acheh is because of the rocky cliff area which provides zero access to people.

Once its habitat (the seraya tree) was disturbed by people or development, the

near extinct population of eagles would start to dwindle.

 

University researchers had proposed that Tanjung, a bay between Muka Head and

Pantai Keracut, be turned into an " eagle-feeding " area to lure tourists. The

bay was an ideal feeding ground for eagles due to the rocky cliff which ensured

zero access to the forest as the eagles were highly sensitive to disturbances.

 

The eagle conservation programme is very important as any disturbance during the

critical breeding season can be detrimental to the eagle's survival. University

experts would play a vital role in ensuring that any eco-tourism product would

not disrupt the ecology of the forest.

 

A research cluster comprising experts from the university and the Wildlife

Department would be formed to help turn Pantai Acheh into a major tourism

attraction.

 

The Star 15.10.01

 

Four hippopotamus arrived in Paya Indah Wetlands from Gaborone, Botswana, on

Sept 26 on a 27 hour flight and were quarantined before being released. Only

one stepped out to inspect its new surroundings as the rest were a little

agitated and afraid of their new habitat.

 

The wetlands staff earlier had tried to persuade the remaining three hippos to

leave their shed by making noise with sticks and shouting to " chase " them out

into the enclosure.

 

The two males and females collectively weighed more than two tones, with the

biggest bull at 1 500kg and the smallest at 300kg. On average their daily

sustenance, comprising mainly vegetables and fruits, came up to over 6okg. This

translocation of the hippos is based on a government to government agreement in

l999 and is the first time that wild hippos have been airlifted to Malaysia.

 

New Straits Times - 29.10.01. - Letter to editor from the Ipoh Society for

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

 

We refer to the recent announcement by the director-general of the Veterinary

Services Department that all dogs in Malaysia would be implanted with

microchips.

 

This practice is common in many developed countries.

 

It is particularly effective in the prevention of pet thefts and in reuniting

lost pets with their owners. Theoretically, it is also supposed to help reduce

the number of strays.

 

Generally, the Ipoh SPCA is supportive of the department's move to introduce the

microchips. However, we have reservations as to whether it should be made

compulsory.

 

First, there is the cost factor. Many dog owners will be turned off by the high

cost of implanting the microchip in their pets. This is a hardship, especially

for lower income dog owners. If compelled by the authorities to do so, some may

be forced to abandon their pets.

 

Rather than having fewer strays on the streets, it may lead to an increase in

the population of strays. Quite of these are abandoned pets in the first place.

 

Animal shelters will be hard pressed to take in the strays due to space and

financial constraints. Consequently, higher costs will be incurred by the local

councils in having to dispose of the strays.

 

Most, if not all animal shelters have a re-homing programme which encourages pet

seekers to adopt the animals from the shelters. The programme helps to free up

available space to enable the shelters to collect more strays and victims of

animal cruelty.

 

We are concerned that the introduction of compulsory use of microchips will

discourage prospective pet owners from adopting animals from the shelters.

 

The ISPCA feels it is better to continue with the current practice of issuing

dog licences, while at the same time giving dog owners the option of using

microchips should they wish to do so.

 

The Star 6.11.01. - Letter to editor from a reader in Johor.

 

I refer to your report, " Resident upset over dog-catching method " , (The Star

Nov. 3).

 

It seems there are always negative reports when municipal council officials

conduct operations against stray dogs.

 

Why do they not go by the rules and if there are complaints, have they ever been

solved justly or to the dog owners' satisfaction?

 

We have read of how a puppy was shot in its owner's house through the gates not

too long ago. Was the owner ever compensated?

 

Just because an animal is involved, a case is rarely seen as important.

 

In your report, these officials have crossed the line way too far. They have

become trespassers, even criminals, in entering a private property without

permission.

 

If this ever happens to me, I shall not hesitate to take action to protect my

pets.

 

These people acted beyond their jurisdiction. I urge for action to be taken

against them.

 

The Star - 6.11.01.

 

Thailand plans to regulate diving and yachting off its south-western Andaman Sea

coast to avoid environmental damage caused by an increasing number of tourists,

a report said recently.

 

Thailand's Royal Forest Department said it would establish a registration center

in the island resort of Phuket to manage marine activities, the Nation daily

reported.

 

The center would require yachting and diving enthusiasts to register before

entering the water of the Andaman Sea, with Thai official limiting the number of

tourists and boats allowed each day.

 

A Forest Department official reportedly said that apart from the damage done by

fishing boats, which often destroy coral reefs, the growth of marine

recreational activities by tourists has also threatened marine life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Star - Pantai Acheh, Penang.

 

 

 

With the focus on eco-tourism by the Government during the sluggish economy,

Penang's very own " eagle feeding " spot (once Pantai Acheh is gazetted as a

national park) will be a major tourist draw. The reason is that nowhere else

in the world is there 1 265ha of natural park which is located so close to town.

A colony of about 40 white bellied sea eagles chose to nest in the tropical

forest reserve because of the abundance of a species of the shorea curtisiisic

or seraya tree found there.

 

 

 

These trees have not been touched for over 100 years and thus the eagles'

habitat is not disturbed. The seraya tree has exceedingly tall trunk and huge

branches. The reason eagles concentrate around the Tanjung bay area of Pantai

Acheh is because of the rocky cliff area which provides zero access to people.

Once its habitat (the seraya tree) was disturbed by people or development, the

near extinct population of eagles would start to dwindle.

 

University researchers had proposed that Tanjung, a bay between Muka Head and

Pantai Keracut, be turned into an " eagle-feeding " area to lure tourists. The

bay was an ideal feeding ground for eagles due to the rocky cliff which ensured

zero access to the forest as the eagles were highly sensitive to disturbances.

 

 

 

The eagle conservation programme is very important as any disturbance during the

critical breeding season can be detrimental to the eagle's survival. University

experts would play a vital role in ensuring that any eco-tourism product would

not disrupt the ecology of the forest.

 

 

 

A research cluster comprising experts from the university and the Wildlife

Department would be formed to help turn Pantai Acheh into a major tourism

attraction.

 

 

 

The Star 15.10.01

 

 

 

Four hippopotamus arrived in Paya Indah Wetlands from Gaborone, Botswana, on

Sept 26 on a 27 hour flight and were quarantined before being released. Only

one stepped out to inspect its new surroundings as the rest were a little

agitated and afraid of their new habitat.

 

 

 

The wetlands staff earlier had tried to persuade the remaining three hippos to

leave their shed by making noise with sticks and shouting to " chase " them out

into the enclosure.

 

 

 

The two males and females collectively weighed more than two tones, with the

biggest bull at 1 500kg and the smallest at 300kg. On average their daily

sustenance, comprising mainly vegetables and fruits, came up to over 6okg. This

translocation of the hippos is based on a government to government agreement in

l999 and is the first time that wild hippos have been airlifted to Malaysia.

 

 

 

New Straits Times - 29.10.01. - Letter to editor from the Ipoh Society for

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

 

 

 

We refer to the recent announcement by the director-general of the Veterinary

Services Department that all dogs in Malaysia would be implanted with

microchips.

 

This practice is common in many developed countries.

 

It is particularly effective in the prevention of pet thefts and in reuniting

lost pets with their owners. Theoretically, it is also supposed to help reduce

the number of strays.

 

Generally, the Ipoh SPCA is supportive of the department's move to introduce the

microchips. However, we have reservations as to whether it should be made

compulsory.

 

First, there is the cost factor. Many dog owners will be turned off by the high

cost of implanting the microchip in their pets. This is a hardship, especially

for lower income dog owners. If compelled by the authorities to do so, some may

be forced to abandon their pets.

 

Rather than having fewer strays on the streets, it may lead to an increase in

the population of strays. Quite of these are abandoned pets in the first place.

 

Animal shelters will be hard pressed to take in the strays due to space and

financial constraints. Consequently, higher costs will be incurred by the local

councils in having to dispose of the strays.

 

Most, if not all animal shelters have a re-homing programme which encourages pet

seekers to adopt the animals from the shelters. The programme helps to free up

available space to enable the shelters to collect

 

more strays and victims of animal cruelty.

 

We are concerned that the introduction of compulsory use of microchips will

discourage prospective pet owners from adopting animals from the shelters.

 

The ISPCA feels it is better to continue with the current practice of issuing

dog licences, while at the same time giving dog owners the option of using

microchips should they wish to do so.

 

 

 

The Star 6.11.01. - Letter to editor from Johor.

 

 

 

I refer to your report, " Resident upset over dog-catching method " , (The Star

Nov. 3).

 

It seems there are always negative reports when municipal council officials

conduct operations against stray dogs.

 

Why do they not go by the rules and if there are complaints, have they ever been

solved justly or to the dog owners' satisfaction?

 

We have read of how a puppy was shot in its owner's house through the gates not

too long ago. Was the owner ever compensated?

 

Just because an animal is involved, a case is rarely seen as important.

 

In your report, these officials have crossed the line way too far. They have

become trespassers, even criminals, in entering a private property without

permission.

 

If this ever happens to me, I shall not hesitate to take action to protect my

pets.

 

These people acted beyond their jurisdiction. I urge for action to be taken

against them.

 

 

 

The Star - 6.11.01.

 

Thailand plans to regulate diving and yachting off its south-western Andaman Sea

coast to avoid environmental damage caused by an increasing number of tourists,

a report said recently.

 

Thailand's Royal Forest Department said it would establish a registration center

in the island resort of Phuket to manage marine activities, the Nation daily

reported.

 

The center would require yachting and diving enthusiasts to register before

entering the water of the Andaman Sea, with Thai official limiting the number of

tourists and boats allowed each day.

 

A Forest Department official reportedly said that apart from the damage done by

fishing boats, which often destroy coral reefs, the growth of marine

recreational activities by tourists has also threatened marine life.