Latest news with #SabahWildlifeDepartment
Daily Express
7 days ago
- Daily Express
Increase in crocodile sightings raises public concern
Published on: Saturday, June 14, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 14, 2025 By: Ahmad Apong Text Size: A crocodile sighted in Kg Bekalau. BEAUFORT: A crocodile was seen basking along the banks of the Padas River near the new bridge at Kampung Bekalau, sparking concern among locals. A villager known as Ahcai said the reptile appeared while someone was fishing nearby. The angler immediately stopped after spotting the crocodile, fearing a possible attack. Advertisement 'The Padas River is known for its freshwater prawns, which is why crocodiles often appear here. Residents must be careful, especially when fishing near the riverbank,' Ahcai said. He also warned that crocodiles can attack without warning, especially when people are distracted while fishing. Another resident, Mohd Johawalia Kimsin, called on the Sabah Wildlife Department to take action by capturing crocodiles in the area to prevent harm to the public. 'This river is popular among anglers, but crocodiles are dangerous predators. We can't take this lightly,' he said. In Weston, residents reported an increase in crocodile sightings near water village homes. Chairman of the Kampung Menengah Security Committee Aznizam Abd Rahman, said swimming in the river is now strictly prohibited, especially for children. 'Last month, two crocodiles were shot by the Wildlife Department, but many more remain,' he said. Meanwhile, local resident Mohammad Salleh said he was shocked when a large crocodile tried to snatch his cat from his veranda. Instead, it bit a wooden post and broke one of its teeth. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
12-06-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
World's first gibbon born in captivity in Sabah to be released into the wild
Pictures courtesy of Gibbon Conservation Society KOTA KINABALU: The world's possibly first gibbon born in captivity will be released into the wild with its parents once it reaches 6 months of age. '"Nabalu' was born on May 8 to Candyman and Manis, a pair of gibbons rescued and rehabilitated at the Borneo Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (Borneo GReP) in Kampung Kiau Bersatu, Kota Belud. The centre was established in 2022. Gibbon experts said a successful "rewilding" must meet all release criteria outlined in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Best Practice Guidelines for the Rehabilitation and Translocation of Gibbons. Gibbon Conservation Society founder and president Mariani Ramli, a Sabahan primatologist, said Nabalu and its parents will be released as a family once the baby is over 6 months old. "With Nabalu's birth, both Manis and Candyman have demonstrated their readiness for rewilding." She said the release site must be agreed upon by all stakeholders, including the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, Sabah Wildlife Department and Gibbon Conservation Society. The honour of naming the newborn gibbon was given to Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew by the Gibbon Conservation Society. "The birth on May 8 is a historic milestone for this endangered species in captivity at the rehabilitation centre. I chose the name 'Nabalu', which means Spirit of the Mountain, for this baby gibbon," said Liew. She added that the ministry, through the Sabah Wildlife Department, supports the Gibbon Conservation Society's gibbon conservation, rehabilitation and rewilding efforts. Liew congratulated Mariani for gaining international recognition for her gibbon conservation work in Malaysia. Mariani was recently appointed the only Malaysian World Female Ranger Ambassador for Resilience for 2024 and 2025. "With your passion and relentless dedication, you (Mariani) have made Sabah and Malaysia proud through your leadership in gibbon conservation.
The Star
04-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Snare traps remain a threat to Sabah wildlife
Bath time: A WRU ranger caring for Taburi at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. KOTA KINABALU: It has been almost three years but Taburi the elephant is still bearing the scar from a leg wound she suffered after getting tangled in a wire snare. Taburi was a calf of just about 1.2m in height when she was discovered by estate workers who heard her cries at an oil palm estate in Lahad Datu. They found the calf, scared and injured, and called the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) which sent a team from the Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU). The calf was brought to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre where round-the-clock attention was given by WRU rangers. Given the name Taburi, the elephant has since been thriving in the wildlife sanctuary it now calls home. WRU, in a Facebook post yesterday to highlight the dangers of snares, said Taburi was one of the 'lucky' ones as many other animals did not survive. 'Snare traps are cruel and indiscriminate. It takes only a single wire to destroy a life. Most victims are never seen. They die hidden, alone, and in pain,' it said. The rescue unit said Taburi's story is a call to action. 'Say no to snare traps. Support wildlife conservation and protection efforts. Let's make our forests safe again. Every life matters. Every trap removed saves a future,' said WRU. SWD director Soffian Abu Bakar said snare traps remain a threat to wildlife in Sabah. Throughout the years of operations against these traps, he said community rangers have found that there are a number of active traps in the jungles. 'We have also found traps set up for birds,' he said when contacted. Soffian said the department would continue to deal with issues linked to poaching through initiatives such as hiring community rangers and collaborating with other agencies to fight against wildlife crime. 'We have community rangers employed under the Biodiversity Protection and Patrolling Programme (BP3) working with our department officials and rangers,' he added.
The Star
27-05-2025
- The Star
Filipinos jailed for having green turtle parts
Crime against fauna: The three men were found to be in possession of 865kg of critically endangered green sea turtle parts. KOTA KINABALU: Three foreigners have been sentenced to a year in prison and fined a total of RM660,000 at the Kota Marudu Sessions Court for possessing 865kg of critically endangered green sea turtle parts in Sabah's northern waters off Kudat. The Filipinos – skipper Erwin Monares Comendo, 39, and crew members Rudyzon Darel Infante, 37, and 52-year-old Amel Meniona – pleaded guilty before Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court judge A. Akhiruddin Acho, during a sitting at the Kota Marudu Court yesterday. They were charged under Section 41(1) of the state's Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for five years' jail and a maximum of RM250,000 fine. The judge sentenced each of them to one year imprisonment and a fine of RM220,000 each. If they fail to pay the fine, they would be subjected to an additional eight months' jail term. The three men were arrested on Sept 27, 2023, by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), which found the suspects with green turtle body parts packed inside 39 sacks and 14 boxes on their boat in waters off Simpang Mengayau. The case was investigated by the Sabah Wildlife Department and the accused were charged on Dec 9, 2024. Disclosing the court decision, Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said the arrest was a result of strategic cooperation between enforcement agencies. 'The Sabah Wildlife Department greatly appreciates the cooperation and swift action of the MMEA in Kudat district, which successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle turtle parts in Sabah waters. 'This reflects our continued commitment to protecting endangered marine species, especially green turtles,' Mohd Soffian said in a statement.
Daily Express
26-05-2025
- Daily Express
Green Turtle parts: Three Filipinos jailed and fined
Published on: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 27, 2025 Text Size: KOTA MARUDU: Three Filipinos were jailed one year and fined RM220,000 each after being found guilty of possessing approximately 865kg of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) parts stored in 39 sacks and 14 boxes. They were arrested by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officers on Sept 27, 2023, in Sabah waters near Simpang Mengayau, Kudat. The case was handed over to the Sabah Wildlife Department for further investigation and prosecution. They were charged under Section 41(1) of the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional eight months of imprisonment. 'This success reflects the strong inter-agency cooperation and our continued commitment to protect endangered marine species, especially the green turtle,' said Sabah Wildlife Department Director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar, who commended the swift action of the Kudat MMEA enforcement team. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
