More Than Half Of Borneo's Carnivores Face Extinction

Bernama 19 Jun 11;

KOTA KINABALU, June 19 (Bernama) -- More than fifty percent of Borneo's many carnivore species could become extinct, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) which lists them on its red list of threatened species.

In disclosing the findings, Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) director Dr Laurentius Ambu said as such, there was a need for action plans and long-term solutions to the declining number of Borneo's carnivores.

Speaking at the launching of the 1st Borneo Carnivore Symposium, here, today, he said the need to strengthen knowledge was crucial in efforts to protect the 24 species of carnivores found in Borneo such as the amazing Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi), which is only found in Borneo.

"Last year, scientists even rediscovered the world's most endangered otter species here in Sabah at Dermakot (near Sandakan), so it's obvious we have to work harder to protect these amazing wildlife," he said.

The symposium, aimed at developing action plans to ensure the survival of the carnivores in Borneo, was attended by almost 200 scienties from 15 countries including Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

"The conservation of carnivores is important because they are what we call the keystone species as their presence maintains a healthy ecosystem within the forests of Borneo," said Laurentius who was also the organising chairman of the Symposium.

Besides the Sunda Clouded Leopard (harimau dahan), the threatened carnivores of Borneo refers to mammals including civet cats like the Malay civet (Viverra tangalunga), otters and badgers such as Teledu.

Laurentius said carnivores were on the top of the food chain and maintained ecological balance within the forests as well as agriculture plantations in Borneo.

The symposium was organised by the SWD, IUCN's Cat, Small Carnivores and Otter Specialist Groups of the Species Survival Commission and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research of Germany.

-- BERNAMA

Saving carnivores to save ecosystem
New Straits Times 20 Jun 11;

KOTA KINABALU: Animal experts will put their heads together for the next few days to find ways to better protect carnivores that are threatened with extinction in Borneo.

Focus will be on 24 species in the 1st Borneo Carnivore Symposium, with the theme "Road Towards Conservation Action plans" which started yesterday and will end on Friday.

Jointly organised by the Sabah Wildlife Department, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Leibniz Institute from Germany, some 200 participants from 15 countries are expected to participate in the event.

State Wildlife Department director Dr Laurentius Ambu, in launching the symposium, said it was important to strengthen knowledge on the endangered species as this would allow for better conservation plans.

"Last year, scientists had even discovered the world's most endangered otter species here in Sabah at Dermakot, so it's obvious we have to work harder to protect these amazing wildlife," he said referring to the hairy-nosed otter Lutra Sumatrana.

"The conservation of carnivores is important because they are what we call the keystone species as their presence maintains a healthy ecosystem within the forests of Borneo," said Laurentius who was also the organising chairman.

Carnivores are on the top of the food chain and maintain ecological balance within the forest as well as agriculture plantations in Borneo.

"Survival of the carnivores would be of great global relevance as Borneo has more species of endemic carnivores than any other island in the world except for Madagascar," said Dr Andreas Wilting of Cat, Small Carnivores & Otter Specialist Groups of the Species Survival Commission of the Leibniz Institute Specias Survival Conversation.

"The theme was chosen because we are aiming to gather what scientific information we have now and develop conservation management plans that can be applied across Borneo," he said.

Save Borneo carnivores
Ruben Sario The Star 23 Jun 11;

KOTA KINABALU: Countries in Borneo must cooperate on conservation efforts for the island's diverse but highly endangered carnivores, said state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Man-jun.

He said Malaysian wildlife experts and their Indonesian and Brunei counterparts should share technical know-how and information on the conservation of these animals.

“While we rejoice in the fact that Borneo has one of the most diverse carnivore species, this is also a challenging time for conservationists,” he said when launching the Borneo Carnivore Symposium here yesterday.

He said the biggest threat to wildlife in Borneo was poaching and loss of habitat due to clearing of forests for agriculture.

Some 200 international scientists attended the conference aimed at mapping out plans to stave off the extinction of the carnivore species.

The symposium was held amid International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that about half of these species could eventually go extinct. The IUCN has placed these animals in its Red List of Threatened Species.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Dr Laurentius Ambu said conservation of carnivores was vital be-cause their presence maintained a healthy ecosystem within the forests of Borneo.

“Carnivores are at the top of the food chain and maintain ecological balance within the forest as well as agricultural plantations in Borneo.

“Last year, scientist even rediscovered the world's most endangered species, the otter, in Sabah at Derma-kot,” he said, adding that 24 species of carnivores unique to Borneo such as the Sunda Clouded Leopard had to be protected.