muguntan vanar The Star 8 Sep 14;
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah wildlife conservationists are seeking to make the fast depleting Sunda pangolins a totally protected species under a measure to check rampant poaching of the nocturnal animal.
The move to push for full protection under Schedule One of the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 will help boost conservation efforts of the pangolins.
The newly formed Sabah Pangolin Conservation Working Group has suggested that a state Cabinet paper be prepared to propose total protection of the animal that is currently listed in Part One of Schedule Two, which means that it can be hunted with a licence and upgrading its status to Schedule One will accord it full protection.
Sabah Wildlife Department assistant director Dr Sen Nathan said participants at a recent workshop to discuss the fate of pangolins had unanimously agreed that the matter has to be brought to the attention of the State Cabinet.
Apart from seeking full protection for pangolins next steps include starting an awareness campaign with the soon to be established Wildlife Enforcement Unit, an initiative between Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) and the department.
DGFC director Dr Benoit Goossens said: “The long term goal which covers a period of two to five years will be to decrease poaching and trade of pangolins, increase ecological and population studies and to look at the possibility of setting up a sanctuary to rehabilitate pangolins.
Dr Goossens pointed out that according to a 2010 report by wildlife monitoring network TRAFFIC, some 22,200 pangolins were killed between May 2007 and January 2009 to supply one syndicate, with most coming from the districts of Keningau, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Ranau.
The working group was set up at the end of a day-long workshop involving the relevant government agencies, NGOs, research organisations and an oil palm company.
Pangolins to get total protection
New Straits Times 8 Sep 14;
KOTA KINABALU: The pangolin will be classified as a totally-protected species in Sabah.
Once that happens, the Sunda pangolin, or Manis javanica, will enjoy similar protection like seven other animals in the state.
The Sumatran rhinoceros, orang utan, sun bear, proboscis monkey, clouded leopard, Bornean pygmy elephant and dugong are listed as totally-protected species under the Sabah Wildlife Enactment 1997.
Those found guilty of harming or killing these animals can be jailed between six months and five years.
The Sabah Pangolin Workshop Group was recently formed to prepare a working paper to be submitted to the state cabinet to elevate the level of protection of the species.
Sabah Wildlife Department assistant director Dr Sen Nathan said this was necessary because of the rampant hunting of pangolins.
Between May 2007 and January 2009, 22,200 pangolins were hunted and killed to supply international syndicates. Most of the pangolins came from Keningau, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Ranau.
