Malaysia: State govts to host Raptor Watch 2014

New Straits Times 6 Mar 14;

TANJUNG TUAN: The raptors are flying in again through Tanjung Tuan, Malacca.

Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) with the support of the Malacca and Negri Sembilan state governments will be co-hosting the Raptor Watch to be held on Saturday and Sunday at PNB Ilham Resort, Tanjung Tuan, Malacca.

Raptor Watch 2014, in its 15th instalment, is held with the aim to raise awareness of the need for conservation of the birds and their habitats.

Tanjung Tuan is an important raptor migration stopover and crossover site as tens of thousands of raptors fly away from the northern hemisphere during winter.

"Migration of raptors and other birds is an amazing natural phenomena and we, as Malaysians, play host to tens of thousands of 'raptors' or birds of prey as they journey from the winter season of the northern hemisphere to the warm southern hemisphere and back, using important stopover sites such as Tanjung Tuan for thousands of years," said MNS-Bird Conservation Council member Lim Kim Chye at RW2014's press conference at the PNB Ilham Resort grounds here recently.

He added: "Events like Raptor Watch bring about more awareness and bring people together to understand and protect our natural heritage.

"MNS is heartened that the state governments of Malacca and Negri Sembilan, as well as the invaluable support of Tourism Malaysia are coming together to promote this wonderful eco-tourism event."

He also announced that Malaysia will play host to the Asian Bird Fair in November, promoted by the ABF Network, of which MNS is a founder member.

This year's Raptor Watch promises to be exciting and eventful.

One of the biggest attractions would be the popular Raptor Hunt 2014 which is organised by MNS with the support of Air France, the official airline for RW2014, which will held on Saturday.

Winners of the Raptor Hunt 2014 stand a chance to win tickets to Paris.

Read more: State govts to host Raptor Watch 2014 - Central - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/state-govts-to-host-raptor-watch-2014-1.498650#ixzz2vF0ivVPg