Bakun Dam: Flora, fauna to have new sanctuary

New Straits Times 22 Jun 10;

KUCHING: Wildlife in the Bakun Dam catchment areas will be relocated to 18 islands within the main dam once the dam is flooded.

"We have identified 18 islands of between 50 and 150 hectares each in the Bakun Dam area itself to be used as wildlife sanctuaries for wildlife as well as the endemic plants," the state Controller of Wildlife Datuk Len Talif Salleh said.

Yesterday, he commended the public for their increasing awareness of the importance of protecting the wildlife.

He cited the example of a businessman, Thomas Ting from Bintulu who saved eight totally endangered species from one of the longhouses in the division.

The animals that were saved included the Borneon gibbon, slow loris, bearcat and primates.

Speaking at a press conference after launching the Sarawak forestry apprentice programme held at the Sarawak Forestry Corporation headquarters here, he said the state needed more enforcement officers, especially for looking after its wildlife and logging activities.


Earlier in his speech, he advised the 30 apprentices to study hard as they had been selected from 500 applicants.

The apprentices will undergo courses such as the Sarawak log grading rules, wood anatomy and identification, furniture design and furniture making.

Read more: Flora, fauna to have new sanctuary http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/22bakun/Article#ixzz0rXJyb7rz