Bernama 28 Apr 13;
KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- An action plan has been drawn up for the conservation of the Malayan tapir for the next 20 years, which also identifies the latest threats to the fully protected species.
The plan was drafted in collaboration between the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) and Copenhagen Zoo.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Malaysian Nature Society said this in a joint statement, in conjunction with World Tapir Day, on Saturday.
"This included programmes to release tapirs to their natural habitat. Efforts and cooperation to promote tapir and its habitat as a national heritage will be continued for the coming generation," said the statement.
It said that close cooperation from government agencies, non-government organisations (NGO), educational institutions and the private sector was crucial because conservation efforts was a joint responsibility. The statement added, the World Tapir Day, celebrated worldwide on April 27, was to boost awareness on the conservation of the Mountain Tapir, Lowland Tapir, Baird's Tapir and the Malayan Tapir.
"The tapir is also fully protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. It is an offence to hunt or keep a tapir without a special permit and those found guilty would be fined up to RM100,000 or jail of not more than three years or both as stated under Section 68 Act 716," it clarified.
The statement said, the 2013 World Tapir Day was held for the first time in Malaysia at the National Park, Pahang which was the natural habitat of the species.
The programme was jointly organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Perhilitan, Malayan Nature Society, the Forestry Faculty of Universiti Putra Malaysia and supported by the Malaysian Education Ministry's Mutiara Taman Negara, Tapir Specialist Group, Copenhagen Zoo and Leica, the statement added.
--BERNAMA
