Borneo Post, 2 Oct 13;
MIRI: In anticipation of new hornbill couple Juliet and Jimmy reproducing, a video surveillance system has been proposed to collect data for future reference and conservation purposes.
Chairman of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Miri Chapter, Musa Musbah said Shell had made this request to monitor the hornbills during their breeding period.
“I would like to set up video surveillance of the nest. We have done this in the past, manually. This time, I propose an online system we can logon. This video surveillance system will enable data to be captured 24/7 and recorded on a disk. We will have a complete courting at nest, making and sealing of nest and fledgling. This is valuable data at a place where all facilities are on hand,” he said yesterday.
Musa told The Borneo Post that Jimmy had stopped mourning and switched to survival mode after new love Juliet appeared on the scene.
His previous mate Faridah was found dead after she was captured by poachers on Sept 26.
Studies show that hornbills are partners for life, so Musa had worried that Jimmy might die from hunger if he keeps mourning for her.
He said the system is not expensive to install but sponsorship is required as MNS has limited funds like pro tem Piasau Camp Nature Park Society (PCNPS) which he is vice-chairman of.
Musa is also Honorary Ranger of Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC).
“Could someone sponsor this system and connect it to Shell’s telecommunication lines? Anyone can access the cameras via his/her handphone to see the area and the birds feeding without having to go there physically.
“They can see the streaming video in real time and can save it. We do not have to give them free but sell them the password for them to see via the cameras anytime they want. This access cost is from their line,” he stressed.
Musa said the new system is expected to cost over RM5,000, including cameras, two terabytes of hard disk and related gadgets, in addition to the setting up of a black plastic sun blocking sheet along the perimeter of House 58 to reduce disturbances from joggers and visitors and activities at Piasau Boat Club.
He is optimistic that if Juliet can produce more offspring, Piasau Camp will have many more hornbills.
Faridah produced 56 offspring since 2005 but many did not survive, probably due to rampant poaching.
As of Sunday evening, the family of four was spotted at the camp: Jimmy with new mate Juliet, and Ahkaw and Ahmoi — his youngest brood with Faridah.
Older brood comprising Utet and Nong were also spotted recently.
Jimmy finds new love who may give him new off spring
Borneo Post, 30 Sep 13;
MIRI: Mirians, particularly nature lovers, yesterday had another good news on the totally protected hornbills at Piasau Camp as Jimmy, Faridah’s widower, now has another female hornbill coming into his life.
They were spotted courting each other about 5pm yesterday in the camp by the Borneo Post reporter and a few others who had earlier joined the 5th Hornbill Walk held in memory of Faridah who was found dead on Sept 26 after being poached and brutally killed on Sept 24.
Also spotted were Jimmy’s two off-springs – Ahkaw and Ahmoi.
“It is unusual for hornbills; normally they are partners for life. But it does happen and Jimmy is in survival mode. He was seen very sad for about two days when Faridah was hunted by poachers at Piasau Garden on Sept 24 and found dead on Sept 26.
“Probably, Jimmy also reads the newspaper including The Borneo Post seeing that the government has decided to gazette Piasau Camp as a nature reserve,” said Musa Musbah in a joking but happy mood when contacted by The Borneo Post.
Earlier last week, Musa said Jimmy might die of hunger due to sadness over the loss of Faridah.
However, with the turn of events, Musa, Sarawak Forestry honorary ranger and chairman of the Malaysian Nature Society Miri Chapter, said Jimmy’s new partner, who had already been named Juliet (a name famous in Shakespeare’s book – Romeo and Juliet) could be fertile in a few days.
“They have been seen surveying Faridah’s old nesting area in the past few days and in no time Juliet will be producing babies in the camp, good news for the survival of Jimmy’s family,” revealed Musa, who is also pro tem vice-chairman of the Piasau Camp Nature Park Society (PCNPS).
In view of this, he urged Mirians to cooperate in safeguarding the area in support of the government’s decision to make the camp a nature reserve by year end.
He also called for more financial sponsorship to build more artificial nests to encourage more hornbills and other birds to come and make the matured forest in the camp their home.
Yesterday, a well-known local marathon runner, Liew Joon Kien, donated B$100 for the nest.
Several others including PCNPS pro tem chairman Datuk Sebastian Ting, Miri MP Dr Michael Teo and three former elected representatives of Miri –Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan (ex deputy chief minister), Datuk Seri Peter Chin (former minister of energy, green technology and water) and Andy Chia (former Pujut assemblyman) also pledged to sponsor a nest each.
Musa said MNS Miri Chapter planned to set up about 20 artificial nests at the camp soon.
