Avila Geraldine New Straits Times 24 Jun 19;
KOTA KINABALU: A pangolin sanctuary, to be established within the protected Tawau Hills National Park, is set to become Sabah’s new wildlife tourist attraction.
Funded by Arizona Sabah Pangolin Sanctuary and Research Institute (Sapsari) with an initial start-up investment of RM1 million, the sanctuary is an effort by the state government to further protect arguably the world’s most poached and trafficked animal.
Deputy Chief Minister cum state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said Tawau was picked as a suitable location for the pangolin sanctuary because it has a vast forest.
“It will be a suitable place for pangolins because there’s plenty of food supplies there in the form of insects such as termites and ants.
“The Tawau Hills cover an area of 20,000-hectare, and that’s plenty of land. I will ask Sabah Parks and the Wildlife Department to identify a location for the sanctuary that will be convenient for tourists to come and visit the sanctuary.
“We will be working together with our pangolin expert Elisa Panjang, so we can have a proper outfit there because the sanctuary will also serve as a research centre. It is expected to assist the wildlife department and researchers to have better data on pangolin population and behaviour,” she said today.
Earlier, Liew witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of the sanctuary between Sapsari and Sabah Wildlife Department.
Sapsari was represented by its founder and chief executive officer Peter Chan, while Sabah Wildlife was represented by its director Augustine Tuuga.
According to Liew, Sabah needed such a sanctuary to educate the people on the need to protect pangolin as the species was the state’s asset.
“No one is allowed to kill and poach pangolins for whatever reason. In February this year, we discovered RM8 million worth of smuggled pangolins and body parts in Tuaran. We will increase enforcement to prevent this from recurring.
“With a proper sanctuary, we will be able to carry out more effective and efficient conservation efforts of the pangolins,” she added.
Chan meanwhile said the pangolins had been under-represented and that it was only right to gather like-minded individuals to bring conservation of the species to greater heights.
“Sabah has a vibrant eco-tourism industry and well-educated people. This (sanctuary) is not just a Sabah project but a global one. I am confident the state can take the lead in pangolin conservation efforts,” said the Penang-born retired engineer.
Chan, who resides in the United States and engages in philanthropic works, also said the sanctuary would be run by locals and Sabah Wildlife Department in particular.
In Sabah, it is estimated there are slightly more than 1,000 pangolins left in the wild. The animal is hunted for its meat (exotic food), scales (traditional medicine) and skin (accessories).
Engineer gives RM1mil to set up pangolin sanctuary
stephanie lee The Star 25 Jun 19;
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Pangolin Sanctuary and Research Institute (Sapsari), to be based in Tawau, received RM1mil from retired Malaysia-born, US-based engineer Peter Chan who first mooted the idea for the institute.
The Penangite, who lives in Arizona, urges other Malaysians to support and contribute to Sapsari.
“Pangolins are very much under-represented in terms of wildlife protection, and I personally feel we should take the lead as Malaysians to protect pangolins before they go extinct,” he said.
Chan, along with State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew, yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the creation of Sapsari.
“I am sure that with the work we are doing in the ministry, together with the Wildlife Department, Sabah Parks and all relevant agencies, we will be able to make a change for the better,” she said.
Asked whether the state government will commit to annual funding to facilitate Sapsari, she said “it will be considered”.
The sanctuary, to be managed by local pangolin expert Elisa Panjang, is expected to be fully operational and opened to the public next year.
Liew also said the state government has taken initiatives to improve wildlife protection and conservation in Sabah.
“For some of our wildlife such as the pygmy elephants, Sunda clouded leopards, proboscis monkeys and bantengs (wild buffalo), we have drawn up a 10-year action plan to protect these species,” she added.
She said the Sabah Wildlife Department will also be embarking on a two-year conservation programme to do a statewide survey on Borneo pygmy elephants and orang utan.
“As for the near extinct Sumatran rhinos in Sabah, we will not stop until we find a way to revive this species,” Liew added.
US-based founder of pangolin research centre, sanctuary needs public help
stephanie lee The Star 24 Jun 19;
KOTA KINABALU: Animal loving engineer Peter Chan has come to Sabah to initiate the setting up of a pangolin research centre and sanctuary, but he would need the public’s assistance to keep the programme afloat.
Chan, a Penangnite who is based in Arizona, United States, said with the help of the Sabah Wildlife Department and state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, have identified Tawau as the location for the centre.
The Sabah Pangolin Sanctuary and Research Institute (Sapsari) founder, gave a RM1mil startup fund, and hopes to get everyone in Sabah to be part of the programme.
“Pangolins are very much under-represented in terms of wildlife protection in the world, and I personally feel that we should take the lead as Malaysians to protect pangolins before they go extinct,” he said.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said awareness on pangolin conservation had increased in Sabah over the past years.
“I am sure with the work we are doing in the ministry together with the Wildlife Department, Sabah Parks and all relevant agencies, we will be able to make a change for the better,” she said.
Asked whether the state government will commit to an annual funding to facilitate Sapsari, she said "it will be considered".
Liew said this after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of Sapsari with Chan.
The sanctuary is expected to fully start and cater to public visits by next year, and it will be managed by local pangolin expert Elisa Panjang, as Chan will be based in Arizona.
Earlier, Liew said the state government has taken new initiatives to improve wildlife protection and conservation in Sabah.
“For some of our wildlife such as the pygmy elephants, Sunda clouded leopard, proboscis monkeys and bantengs (wild buffalo), we have drawn up a 10-year action plan to protect these species,” she said.
She said the Sabah Wildlife Department will also be embarking on a two-year conservation programme to do a statewide survey on the Borneo pygmy elephants and orangutan.
“As for the near extinct Sumatran rhinos in Sabah, we will not stop until we find a way to revive this species,” Liew said.
