Guest guest Posted April 1, 2003 Report Share Posted April 1, 2003 This message was forwarded to you by yitzeling. Comment from sender: This article is from thestar.com.my URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/3/29/nation/sapenguin & sec=nation ________________________ Saturday, March 29, 2003 Ecosystem attraction for Langkawi BY NG SU-ANN PENANG: Malaysians can experience & #147;a piece of Antarctica & #148; without leaving the country once a RM25mil project to feature three different ecosystems at the Langkawi Underwater World, Kedah, is completed in October. . In addition to the existing building, a new one will be constructed to display the Amazonian, sub-Antarctic and Antarctic ecosystems and house a three-dimensional (3D) theatre with a 200-seating capacity. The brainchild of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the project will involve importing tropical and polar animals including penguins, anacondas, eels and whistling ducks. American environmental consultant Frank S. better known as the & #147;penguin man, & #148; has been enlisted by Eden Enterprises (M) Bhd to help source the animals. & #147;I can help with the setting up of educational programmes, penguin maintenance and visual displays. I have also started contacting penguin keepers to source the animals for the Langkawi facility. & #147;However, buying a penguin is not cheap. For every penguin available, there are 10 people who want it. But sometimes we need to plant an acorn to get an oak tree, & #148; he said in an interview yesterday. 60, who is the executive director of the Californian-based EcoCepts International, has spent 30 years in researching and writing about penguins. He was also among the scientific heads on board a Russian icebreaker ship, the Capitan Dranitsyn, where Dr Mahathir led a 70-member Malaysian expedition to the Antarctica in February last year. . Eden executive chairman Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohamad said the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic ecosystem displays would include a & #147;penguinarium & #148; to feature an underwater tunnel for visitors to view swimming penguins and fishes. & #147;There will also be high platforms for visitors to watch the penguins & #146; antics from above. We will also use the latest technology to make artificial ice and snow, & #148; he said, adding that the facility would act as an educational and research centre. Abdul Rahim said the construction of the new building with a 5,000 sq m built-up area would begin next month and be completed in October. <p> ________________________ Your one-stop information portal: The Star Online http://thestar.com.my http://biz.thestar.com.my http://classifieds.thestar.com.my http://cards.thestar.com.my http://search.thestar.com.my http://star-motoring.com http://star-space.com http://star-jobs.com http://star-ecentral.com http://star-techcentral.com 1995-2002 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Star Publications is prohibited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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