Stop releasing exotic animals

[Guest guest]

From the New Straits Times

 

Stop releasing exotic animals, urges Frim

 

Elizabeth John

 

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24:

--

 

Well-meaning acts have left the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (Frim)

with a serious problem.

For the past two years, the institute’s staff have had to remove several

exotic species of animals released on its grounds.

 

If allowed to survive and reproduce, these animals could prey on native

species, create hybrid species, infect native amphibians with diseases or

become impossible to control or eradicate.

 

Among species released in Frim are the North American bullfrog (Rana

catesbeiana) and the Taiwanese edible frog (Holoplobatrachus chinensis),

saved by good Samaritans from the cooking pot.

 

Both species, though not native to Malaysia, are farmed commercially here

for consumption.

 

In November, Frim staffers witnessed a group of visitors releasing Taiwanese

edible frogs in the Kepong Botanical Gardens, which lies within Frim’s

grounds.

 

Frim staff, led by research officer Norsham Yaakob, spent several days

trying to recapture the frogs.

 

They were able to capture only 55, although more were believed to have been

released. The captured frogs were given to a Chinese restaurant.

 

In other incidents in December last year, 30 Taiwanese edible frogs were

collected from Frim’s gardens and eight Chinese soft shell turtles (Trionyx

sinensis) were found dead in Frim’s main pond, said Norsham.

 

The pond has also become home to the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta

elegans) while North American bullfrogs have been found at the Sungai Kroh

waterfall.

 

Both these species have been recognised globally as a major threat to

biodiversity, agriculture and other human interests, and are considered

" invasive alien species " .

 

Both are also on the World Conservation Union’s (IUCN) list of 100 of the

world’s worst invasive alien species.

 

IUCN’s Alien Invasive Species Specialist Group notes that invasive plants

and animals are a major threat to natural ecosystems and species, second

only to direct destruction of habitats by humans.

 

The introduction of alien species such as brown tree snakes to Guam

devastated its terrestrial bird population.

 

Frim, which encompasses the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve and the botanical

garden, is home to hundreds of rare plants and animal species which could be

at risk from releases of such species.

 

Norsham has urged the public to stop releasing the animals as they could

cause damage to the environment.

 

_______________

Find love online with MSN Personals.

http://match.msn.com.my/match/mt.cfm?pg=channel