Malaysia: Chopping forests to plant durians like killing goose that lays golden eggs

mei mei chu The Star 25 Oct 18;

PETALING JAYA: Durian farmers are "shooting themselves in the foot" if they continue to clear the forest for durian plantations, conservation groups said.

A total of 36 conservationists co-signed a statement on Thursday (Oct 25) said destroying wildlife habitats will reduce the number of durian fruit pollinators, which will directly influence the quantity and quality of durian fruit yields.

They are raising concerns over durians as the new monoculture crop driving further deforestation and biodiversity loss in Malaysia.

Rimba president Dr Sheema Abdul Aziz said the durian tree cannot self-pollinate, and is thus dependent on wild animal pollinators to cross-pollinate with other plants of the same species.

These bats are essential to the sustainability of the durian industry.

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World’s most controversial fruit may depend on giant bats for pollination

While we debate whether the durian is the best or worst food on the planet, it turns out this wonderful oddity may require healthy populations of flying fox for survival.
Jeremy Hance The Guardian 19 Feb 18;

Durian. Depending on whom you talk to it’s either the most beloved or the most despised fruit on the planet. It suffers no moderation, no wishy-washiness. It is the king of fruits or the worst thing you’ve ever tasted. Due to its potent odour – delicate and sweet to its advocates and sewage-like to its detractors – durian has been banned from airplanes, subways, and hotels (though punishments appear light if non-existent). But a recent study in Ecology and Evolution finds there may be no durians at all without bats: big, threatened bats. The scientists found that flying foxes – bats in the Pteropus and Acerodon genus and the largest in the world – are likely vital pollinators for the polarising durian.

“We already knew that flying foxes feed on durian flowers, but there was this unsubstantiated belief, even among some researchers, that flying foxes just destroyed the flowers,” said Sheema Abdul Aziz, the lead researcher on the project that was done as part of her PhD at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in France. “It doesn’t help that a durian flower only blooms for one night, then falls off the tree naturally, regardless of whether it’s been pollinated or not. When people see all the flowers on the ground in the morning, they think it’s the bats.”

It’s not. By setting up camera traps high in durian trees on Tioman Island off the coast of peninsular Malaysia, Aziz and her colleagues exploded the myth that flying fox were damaging the flowers. Instead, the researchers watched the large winged-mammals – in this case the Island flying fox – hang upside down over the flowers and bow down their long snout into them, lapping up the nectar while leaving the flower unruffled.

“The video footage showed without a doubt how delicately flying foxes feed without destroying the flowers, and it also showed how tough and hardy these durian flowers really are,” Aziz said, who is also the founder and president of Rimba, a local NGO devoted to getting hard science out to the government and the public.

Flying foxes may not be the durian’s only pollinator. Aziz said other bats – including smaller ones – have been seen pollinating durians. It is also possible that civets and slow loris are capable of pollinating durian in some parts of Asia. Still, that doesn’t mean all pollinators are equal. Aziz pointed to recent research in Thailand that found some bats are better pollinators than others depending on the plant species.

“This really suggests that the loss of a primary pollinator can potentially affect fruit production, even when there’s another, substitute pollinator that’s still available to do the job,” she said. “This is the sort of thing that I’m hoping to investigate further, if I can get funding to continue my research into durian pollination ecology.”

But like so many species in Southeast Asia, flying fox populations are under assault. According to Aziz, hunting and killing bats as pests are the biggest threats to flying fox species across the region. In some places flying fox are killed to be eaten, in others for traditional medicine.

“I’ve even heard of trigger-happy people with guns using flying foxes for target practice, just for fun,” she said. “This all stems from the fact that people don’t value flying foxes as being important in any way – they’re only viewed positively when they’re dead and can be consumed.”

Of course, deforestation is also threatening bat populations. Southeast Asia has some of the highest deforestation rates in the world with Indonesia recently eclipsing Brazil as the world’s biggest forest destroyer.

Farmers will often kill flying foxes en masse viewing them as a pest, but Aziz says this could undercut the durian industry.

“If growers are killing the bats, this will actually reduce the production of durian fruits. So there’s a real economic implication there … Bat conservation should be a real priority for the commercial durian industry.”

Aziz stresses the situation is complicated as flying fox and other bats are also known to damage some fruit crops, so mitigation efforts need to be developed to protect particular crops from raiding bats – without killing them.

Governments have a major role to play here as well, according to Aziz, who says they need to extend legal protections to bats and their habitats.

“For flying foxes this means protecting rainforests, mangroves, and swamps,” she said. “Mangroves and swamps are the last few refuges sheltering flying foxes from hunting pressure, so their roost sites need to be secured.”

Globally, there are around 70 flying fox species – but six species have gone extinct in recent times: the small and large Samoan flying foxes, the small Mauritian flying fox, the dusky flying fox, the large Palau flying fox, and the Guam flying fox – all bats once found on islands.

Meanwhile, around half of the surviving flying fox species are considered threatened with extinction and many that are not are still imperiled locally.

Bats are not just threatened by hunting and habitat loss, according to Aziz. They are also threatened by a reputation for being nasty, scary animals and associated almost solely with disease. She points out that nearly all the research on flying foxes in peninsular Malaysia has been around bat diseases – not their ecology or importance in maintaining food sources and forests.

“Even conservationists and scientists have largely ignored them here,” she said.

Aziz is changing that. When her study first landed, it produced a remarkable headline in the Malaysian Star: Dwindling flying fox numbers, dying durian industry. News stories were also carried regionally in the Straits Times and the Malay Mail. Aziz, herself, appeared on a local radio programme.

“Flying foxes could be doing all kinds of pollinating jobs that we’re not aware of, just because we haven’t thought to look into it, or because we simply ruled them out without investigating it properly,” she said.

This is why research is so important. But next comes the really hard part: conservation. Conservation means convincing the government and the public that protecting species – and wilderness – matters. And then implementing new laws and measures on the ground.

But durian lovers should take note: your king of fruits depends on the king of bats. Lose one and we’ll lose the other.

Durian haters? Don’t worry: it’s likely more research will shows these bats pollinate far more than durian trees. Just take this example: Aziz believes flying fox are “likely” integral to the survival of the most important ecosystems on the planet: mangroves. Buffeting coastal populations from storms, storing massive amounts of carbon, and housing fish nurseries for innumerable species, mangroves are long-neglected wilderness powerhouses. And it may be that they – like durians – depend on bats.

Like many people – and even many biologists – Aziz says she never thought she would be working with bats. But then she got an HSBC-Earthwatch Fellowship to work with bat expert Tigga Kingston from Texas Tech University.

“Holding a tiny little fluffball with wings, and getting to see it up close and personal, was a life-changing experience for me,” she said. “I knew then that I wanted to study bats and help protect them.”

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Bats flying into homes a common phenomenon in Singapore

Wildlife rescue group Acres receives four to five reports a week of bats getting stranded in housing estates
Ang Tian Tian The New Paper 1 Dec 17;

Ms Tan Yilin has moved three times - from Yishun to Yio Chua Kang then to Sembawang - and each time, bats have flown into her home.

The make-up artist, 24, said: "I usually try to steer the bats to the window or balcony so they can fly out."

Last Saturday, she found a bat nestled underneath a patio umbrella on her balcony. She clapped her hands loudly to scare it off.

She said: "I am used to the bats by now."

Bats flying into homes is a common occurrence in Singapore.

On average, wildlife rescue group Acres receives four to five reports a week of bats flying into homes or getting stranded elsewhere in housing estates, at void decks or covered walkways.

Acres deputy chief executive Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan, 31, told The New Paper that highly urbanised landscapes and green spaces like rooftop gardens have given rise to such cases.

According to Dr Benjamin Lee, director of the National Parks Board (NParks), there are at least 25 species of bats in Singapore that roost in natural and man-made habitats.

These habitats range from fallen logs, trees and bamboo hollows to the underside of bridges, culverts, buildings and abandoned bunkers.

Mr Kalai said the two species that commonly roost in housing estates are the lesser dog-faced fruit bat and insectivorous whiskered bat.

These nocturnal creatures usually fly into homes at night and are discovered in the day.

They may climb onto furniture and curtains or get stranded on the ground because they cannot take off from there.

Bats are also found in places with fruit trees.

Mr Lim Keng Tiong, 75, told TNP that more than 10 bats fly around the Punggol Coral resident's committee garden at night.

The volunteer, who grows more than five types of fruit trees in the garden, said the bats feed on the fruits.

Mr Lim said: "There is nothing much I can do about it. At least they are not dangerous."

At the Halia restaurant in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, bats add to the experience.

Restaurant manager Mae Paguirigan, 31, said: "Once or twice a month, a few fruit bats fly into the restaurant, but customers are okay with it."

If you find a bat at home and do not know how to handle it, call the 24-hour Acres hotline at 9783-7782.

What to do when a bat is indoors

INDOORS

According to a spokesman from Acres, a bat found indoors is usually disorientated and has problems escaping.

Do not handle the bat with your bare hands. If you must, gather the bat up with a towel. Even though bats are not aggressive, they may bite in self-defence. If bitten, seek medical consultation.
Turn off all interior lights and open all windows and doors leading outdoors.
If a bat is unable to escape, wait for the bat to land and cover it with a box. Gently ease the bat into the box and release it outdoors at night.
OUTDOORS

When releasing a bat outdoors, wait till nightfall to release the bat as they are nocturnal animals.
Some bats cannot take off from the ground. If the bat is in a box, hold the box aloft and tilt gently to the side. Or hold the box against a tree branch until the bat clings onto the bark.
- ANG TIAN TIAN

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Malaysia: Dwindling flying fox numbers, dying durian market

mei mei chu The Star 30 Sep 17;

PETALING JAYA: Flying foxes are disappearing from our forests and according to a team of researchers, this could be devastating to the multimillion-ringgit durian industry.

Flying fox specialist Dr Sheema Abdul Aziz said her team's research showed that the giant fruit bats, known as "keluang" in Malay, are major pollinators of durian trees.

Unfortunately, flying foxes are commonly killed as pests as there is a perception that their large form – they are the biggest of all the bat species – are destructive to the trees which produce the “king of fruits.”

Her study, which included placing camera traps in durian trees on Pulau Tioman, however, found the opposite was true: Not only are they non-destructive, but they play a crucial role in the pollination process.

And the decline in the flying fox population could lead to fewer or poorer-quality durians.

“Previously, people believed flying foxes eat the durian flowers but our study shows the exact opposite. They do not destroy the flowers, they merely drink the nectar by licking it with their tongues.

“The pollen from the flowers sticks to their fur while they feed on the nectar, and the pollen is transferred and cross-pollinated when the flying foxes move to feed on other trees,” Dr Sheema said.

She also noted that cross-pollination, the process of transferring pollen from the anther of a flower one plant to the stigma of the flower of another plant of the same species, is essential to the production of healthy fruit.

Previous studies have also shown that durian trees have evolved to be perfectly suited to bat pollination, making these animals the main and most effective pollinators for durian trees.

The durian industry “owes a huge debt” to these bats, said Dr Sheema.

However, flying foxes have become a rare sight in orchards across Peninsular Malaysia.

Orchard owner Hapsah @ Apisah Abdul Manap said that majestic flocks of flying foxes, numbering in the thousands, used to grace the skies of Pulau Tioman, but these have dwindled to the occasional sighting of flocks of only 20 to 30.

“Two years ago, you could see thousands of flying foxes leave the roost and emerging into the sky during sunset.

“It’s difficult to see flying foxes now; I don’t know where have they gone,” she said, adding that the only bats she sees now are the smaller varieties.

Hapsah, 52, said the durian harvest in her orchard in Kampung Juara has likewise dropped.

In Pahang, Jimmy’s Durian Orchard director Jimmy Loke said there are no flying foxes in his orchard, but he welcome these bats because of their importance in the cross-pollination process.

“Most orchard owners have no issues with bats, unless they have fruit trees like longan because the bats will eat all the fruits,” said Loke.

Some, however, were not aware of the essential role bats play in pollination.

Desaru Fruit Farm director Steve Er, whose farm is in Johor, said they used to erect nets to catch bats, especially crops like jambu air.

“Since then, the number of bats in our farm has been reduced, but we do not think the decline of bats is related to the poor durian harvest,” said the 31-year-old.

Four orchard owners The Star spoke to lamented the fact that their durian harvest this year was 30% to 80% less than last year’s harvest, but they attributed it to the prolonged rainy season.

Already on a decline due to climate change, these durian orchards could suffer even more if the population of flying foxes continues to deteriorate, Dr Sheema’s study suggests.

According to Dr Sheema, both the Malayan flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) and island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus) are classified as “Endangered” under Malaysia's National Red List.

Flying foxes are severely threatened worldwide due to over-hunting and deforestation.

In Malaysia, they are killed as agricultural pests and hunted not only as exotic meat, but also consumed as medicine due to an unproven belief that they can cure respiratory problems like asthma.

“If flying foxes are hunted to extinction, it’s not hard to see that there could be a serious blow to the beloved king of fruits,” said Dr Sheema, who is also president of wildlife conservation organisation Rimba.

“In areas of Thailand where bats don’t exist, durian farmers are manually pollinating durian trees by hand,” she said. “It is an expensive and dangerous job”.

She added that in areas where there are no flying foxes, the cave nectar bat (Eonycteris spelaea) is the main pollinator for durian trees, but even these smaller bats are threatened by the quarrying of limestone karsts for cement and marble.

Dr Sheema, who led the study as part of her PhD research under France’s Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, said the findings are important as they shed light on the importance of flying foxes as seed dispersers and pollinators in Malaysia’s rainforests.

According to University of Nottingham Malaysia associate professor Dr Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz, the disappearance of flying foxes could have disastrous repercussions on tropical ecosystems.

“The durian is a fascinating plant that, with its flowers pollinated by bats and its seeds dispersed by large animals like elephants, beautifully exemplifies the importance of plant-animal interactions,” said the professor, who also co-authored the study.

“We hope this study brings attention to the urgency of conserving flying foxes in South-East Asia,” he added.

For consumers, a further drop in the durian harvest could see prices go up as demand from locals and tourists alike has reportedly outstripped supply.

The Star previously reported that in Perak, Musing King and Black Thorn varieties are being sold at between RM60 and RM90 per kg while D101 and D24 are being sold at RM25 to RM28 per kg.

Adding to the increasing demand is China’s growing appetite for the pungent fruit.

Malaysia’s durian exports to China, consisting of frozen fruit and derivative products, were RM18.02mil in 2016 and is targeted to hit RM92.5mil by 2020.


Flying foxes to be upgraded to 'totally protected species'
mei mei chu The Star 30 Sep 17;

PETALING JAYA: The endangered Malayan flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) and island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus) will soon be listed as “totally protected species” under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) is in the midst of amending Act 716 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and plans to upgrade its classification from “protected species” to “totally protected species”.

“The flying fox is currently listed under the First Schedule (protected species) of the Wildlife Conservation Act, but Perhilitan is proposing to upgrade the protection status of the flying fox to the Second Schedule (totally protected species),” director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim told The Star.

Once they are listed as a “totally protected species”, the hunting of flying foxes will be prohibited.

It is currently legal to hunt flying foxes with a hunting permit issued by Perhilitan.

According to Abdul Kadir, only Johor and Terengganu have banned the hunting of flying foxes.

“Since 2015, Perhilitan has stopped issuing hunting permits for flying foxes in various states based on the understanding of the breeding habits of the species and the dramatic population decline,” he said.

This, he added, was to allow a sufficient recovery period for the local bat population.

Abdul Kadir said Perhilitan has no plans to put a blanket ban on the hunting of flying foxes, but will not issue any permits until the law is amended.

The changes are expected to take effect next year.


We need more flying fox researchers
mei mei chu The Star 30 Sep 17;

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has not enough researchers who specialise in the conservation ecology of flying foxes, and the lack of data has put local conservationists in a quandary over how to save the endangered megabat species.

Dr Sheema Abdul Aziz (pic below), the only ecologist in Malaysia specialising in flying fox conservation ecology, said the flying fox is a forgotten animal.

“It is an animal group that has been neglected for so long that we do not have enough information to be able to take the right conservation action,” she said.

“Flying foxes have been completely ignored by research and conservation groups because bats have a bad reputation – they are not cute and cuddly like tigers and elephants,” she said of the winged mammal.

She added that the flying fox is a victim of the negative perception of it as a health threat and a pest.


image: http://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/online/2017/09/30/03/09/sheema-abdul-aziz-new.ashx?la=en


Yet, research has shown that flying foxes, along with other bat species, are major pollinators of the durian fruit, and their extinction could affect the nation’s durian supply.

“The current studies on flying foxes revolve around virology as they were found to be the host of the deadly Nipah virus that caused an outbreak here in 1998.

“However, we need more research to understand the beneficial aspects of flying foxes to overcome these negative perceptions, so we can determine effective conservation actions,” she said.

Dr Sheema, who has been studying flying foxes since 2013, took up the task for her PhD research as she was fascinated by their unique interaction with plants.

“I was interested in flying foxes when I learned bats are helping us by pollinating and producing durian fruit – it was something that many people did not know,” she said.

She said that studies overseas have noted the importance of flying foxes as seed dispersers and pollinators, but there is not enough local data to fully understand their ecological services, population size, and conservation methods here.

She added there was also an urgent need to research the conflict between flying foxes and fruit farmers who want the animal eradicated.

“We need to understand how much economic loss flying foxes are causing and come up with effective conflict mitigation options,” she said.

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Bat man has a secret mission on Pulau Ubin

Despite its small size, Singapore is home to a large variety of animal and plant species. But conserving them is an ongoing challenge. In this five-part weekly series to mark the ongoing Biodiversity Week, The Straits Times has been highlighting some success stories. Today, in the last part of the series, we look at the bats of Pulau Ubin, and ask NParks officers why they love their jobs.
Samantha Boh Straits Times 26 May 17;

With their hairy bodies, razor-sharp teeth and macabre appearances in horror films, bats are feared by many.

However, these creatures of the night actually help maintain a balance in the ecosystem - pollinating plants, dispersing seeds and keeping insect populations in check.

Their numbers worldwide are under threat, with their habitats destroyed by deforestation or colonies wiped out by humans because of fears fuelled by myths about vampires.

In Singapore, the lack of forested areas makes it difficult for bats to thrive. That's why they have earned themselves a spot in the National Parks Board's (NParks) species recovery programme, which is aimed at conserving Singapore's endemic and threatened plants and animals.

About 30 bat boxes and two bat houses, man-made structures for bats to roost in, have been set up across Pulau Ubin. They are meant to promote the growth of more colonies, and to attract new bat species to the island.

NParks' focus is on species that are critically endangered in Singapore, including the Megaderma spasma, known commonly as the Lesser false vampire bat, that lives on Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong, and the Hipposideros cineraceus, or the Ashy roundleaf bat, which has been spotted only on Pulau Ubin.

The Ashy roundleaf bat was first recorded here three years ago and, so far, two colonies have been found in abandoned structures, said NParks manager for conservation Noel Thomas, who spotted them during one of his nature surveys.

The exact location of their dwellings is a well-kept secret, to protect the bats from being disturbed by human activities.

This bat species, named after its leaf-shaped nose, is not endangered in other parts of South and South-east Asia but its numbers are believed to be small here, and estimated at fewer than 100, said Mr Thomas, who is studying them.

They are forest-dwelling bats which use echolocation. This means the bats produce sounds that bounce around their surroundings and return to their ears, to detect insects to feed on.

Their sighted cousin, the Lesser false vampire bat, is a more established species here with about 120 individuals. Several colonies are found in disused structures around Pulau Ubin. It looks like the vampire bat but does not consume blood, feeding primarily on insects.

"Insect bats can go out and consume insects in large numbers at night, so they do play that ecological role to maintain a balance in nature by keeping insect numbers in check," said Mr Thomas, 35.

Globally, bats make up one-fifth of all mammals, with about 1,000 species of bats, many of which are fruit and nectar bats.

Fruit bats help to disperse seeds while nectar bats pollinate flowers by carrying pollen on their furry coats from one flower to another as they feed on nectar. "They are also important for scientific research... as they have strong antibodies that protect them from contracting diseases," added Mr Thomas.

As part of the bat species recovery programme, the bat boxes and houses were placed last December in various habitats across Pulau Ubin, such as mangroves and coastal forests, to provide more roosting options.

"These species of bats that reside in rainforests around South-east Asia roost in large tree holes which can hold hundreds of bats, but we don't have that kind of environment here," said Mr Thomas, who will be checking all the structures for bat colonies next month.

Research, however, shows that it can take up to three years for bats to colonise such structures. Another effort to promote the conservation of bats includes a survey of known bat colonies to ensure that their environment is hospitable.

BAT FACTS

Only mammals capable of sustained flight

Associated with vampires in Western cultures, but believed to bring good luck in Asia

There are about 1,000 species of bats, and they make up one-fifth of all mammals

All bats are nocturnal

Bats live an average of 20 years

The popular phrase "blind as a bat" is not quite right - some bats have well-developed eyes which they use to hunt their prey


NPARKS OFFICERS ON WHY THEY LOVE THEIR JOBS AND BIODIVERSITY

MS BAZILAH IBRAHIM, HERBARIUM MANAGER, SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS

I love my job because... of the experiences it allows me to be part of. Also, I have awesome colleagues at the Herbarium. They are genuinely passionate about what they do and are always willing to share their knowledge about plants. As a bonus, I get to work in a pretty neat environment.

I find herbarium work fascinating because... I get to work on specimens that have passed through the hands of many celebrated botanists and collectors. I also get a glimpse of Singapore's history and its natural heritage.

I feel that biodiversity is important because... we rely on it for science, research, the economy and more. It tells the story of our natural heritage.

MS HOLLY SIOW, MANAGER OF BIODIVERSITY (TERRESTRIAL), NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY CENTRE

I love my job because… I feel like I can make a tangible difference to the future of biodiversity conservation in Singapore.

I find frogs fascinating because... given their permeable skin (which makes them vulnerable to environmental contaminants), studying the frogs in an area can tell you a lot about the general health of the ecosystem. They are also adorable.

I feel that biodiversity is important because... it plays a critical part in many aspects of our life, such as the views we wake up to each morning, the food we eat, the clothes we wear and even the air we breathe.

MR ZESTIN SOH, MANAGER OF PARKS

I love my job because... there is rarely a typical day at the office. My job allows me to be involved in activities revolving around my passions - working with nature and people in Singapore.

I find bees fascinating because... they arecritical to ecosystems but are under-appreciated and misunderstood. Most people do not realise that Singapore is home to more than 100 native bee species, and that they come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours - even blue.

I feel that biodiversity is important because... so many incredible stories about the natural world that possess the ability to thrill and teach lie within its intricacies. Also, biodiversity is an irreplaceable part of our natural heritage - we would not be Singapore without it.

MR NOEL THOMAS, MANAGER FOR CONSERVATION (PULAU UBIN)

I love my job because... I get to monitor species that are threatened and propose measures to aid their conservation.

I find bats fascinating because... they communicate in ways we cannot detect without special equipment and are the only flying mammal. They are nocturnal animals that work hard to pollinate our flora and keep insect numbers in check.

I feel that biodiversity is important because... it takes many species to form ecosystems that provide services used by all living things. Better species diversity means natural sustainability for all life forms.

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Malaysia: Fading roar -- Only 23 tigers left in Terengganu

ROSLI ZAKARIA New Straits Times 27 Dec 16;

KUALA TERENGGANU: HABITAT loss, especially in forest reserves, and increased conflict with humans, have shrunk the tiger population in Terengganu to an estimated 23 animals.

The number is expected to decrease further.

The frequency of data capture based on sightings, camera trap research and wildlife inventory showed 16 tigers recorded in 2012, but this year, only seven were sighted, including one killed by poachers in Kemaman.

State National Parks and Wildlife Department director Mohd Hasdi said the seven sightings of the Malayan Tiger recorded this year were near forest reserves and in areas close to national park borders.

“Sightings or conflicts reported this year were in Kerteh and Cerul in Kemaman, Ketengah Jaya in Dungun and Kuala Berang in Hulu Terengganu.

“The numbers showed a decline, primarily due to habitat loss and conflict with humans for food.”

He said the department conducted enforcement in areas that had high tiger population, such as in forest reserves surrounding Tasik Kenyir, the Terengganu National Park, Puah and Tembat dams as well as in Kemaman, Dungun and Besut.

“A live tiger is more expensive than a dead one but it is not easy to trap a tiger alive. Usually, a tiger will either be shot dead or snared. A dead tiger or the sale of its body parts can fetch hundreds of thousands of ringgit.

“The parts, such as the fur and fangs, are sold for decorative purposes, while the gall, feet and meat are traded as traditional medicine.”

Hasdi said despite the high penalty imposed on offences related to the poaching of tigers, the crime persisted because of the lure of the high prices for the animal, dead or alive.

“Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act Amended Act 716, those who committed tiger-related offences can be fined from RM100,000 to RM500,000. But it seems the high penalties are no deterrent.

“We need to reinforce the law with intelligence activities and increase public awareness in hotspots and conflict areas.

“We also provide technical recommendations in Environmental Impact Assessment on mitigation measures to prevent conflicts and to avoid development in areas that will disturb the habitat of tigers.”

He said the department was also conducting a study under the Central Forest Spine (CFS) at three viaducts in Hulu Terengganu together with Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, as well as several related non-governmental organisations.

“The study covers all wildlife and not specifically tigers,” he said.

Read more!

Bats can be model for human medicine

Audrey Tan, Straits Times AsiaOne 29 Oct 16;

Prof Wang, once nicknamed the Bat Virus Man, hopes to breed a colony of these flying mammals here as part of his research into infectious diseases, so he can uncover how they remain largely immune to deadly viruses such as Nipah, Hendra and Sars even while playing host to the organisms.

Bats are often viewed with distaste, except in Chinese culture, where the characters for bat, bian fu, evoke the term for prosperity, fu. So for the Chinese, bats are a symbol of good fortune and longevity.

Professor Wang Linfa, 56, from the Duke-NUS Medical School, believes there might be truth in this.
Although they are natural hosts of viruses such as Nipah, Hendra and Sars, bats themselves are largely immune to the deadly diseases.

They also have an average lifespan of 20 to 30 years - generally 10 to 20 times longer than that of their land-bound rodent cousins. Also, studies have shown that bats do not get cancer easily.

These are some reasons Prof Wang, who is director of the emerging infectious diseases programme at Duke-NUS, believes the study of bats could unlock novel cures for diseases in humans.

For more than 20 years, the Shanghai-born biochemist researched bat-borne viruses. Then in 2006, he decided there was a need to learn more about the bats themselves.

"I used to be nicknamed the Bat Virus Man. But now, it is probably more accurate to call me the Bat Man," he told The Straits Times with a chuckle.

He now hopes to breed a colony of bats in Singapore to learn more about them, as part of a study funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF).

He could not be drawn into giving more details about the project, but said: "Humans always dreamt of living long lives and, in a way, bats are a great model system to achieving that goal. After all, living long lives, being cancer-free and not getting deadly infectious diseases seem to be all linked."

An NRF spokesman said the research is supported under the foundation's Competitive Research Programme Funding Scheme, which funds use-inspired basic research up to a period of five years.

She noted: "Prof Wang's research was deemed by an international review panel to be cutting-edge, with potential relevance to Singapore.

"It could uncover strategies and mechanisms for novel drugs in cancer and infectious disease. It could also develop immunological research tools that could be commercialised."

So even as vampire bats rise among the ghouls that populate Halloween this weekend, remember, they might be more friend than foe.

Some bats found in Singapore

There are more than 1,000 species of bats in the world, 25 of which can be found in Singapore. Those here can be divided mainly into two groups: insect eaters, and species that prefer fruit or nectar.
Here are some examples of bats found in Singapore.

SHORT-NOSED FRUIT BAT

Most common of all fruit/nectar-eating bats here. It can be found in habitats ranging from orchards and gardens to forested tracts.

CAVE NECTAR BAT

Not as common as the short- nosed fruit bat and can also be found across South-east Asia. In countries where it roosts in natural caves, uncontrolled tourism and mining are major threats.

BAMBOO BAT

Possibly the smallest bat in Singapore, this insect-eater can be found in secondary forests, parks and gardens. They are small enough to roost in the cavities of bamboo plants.

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Bats: nice with rice?

Scientists believe a species of bat that preys on a major rice pest in Thailand could boost food security by preventing paddy losses
SciDev theguardian.com 16 Apr 14;

Scientists believe wrinkle-lipped bats could prevent annual paddy losses of nearly 2,900 tons, enough to feed 26,000 people for a year. Photograph: Barbara Walton/EPA

Bats that prey on a major rice pest in Thailand could save paddy harvests worth millions of dollars and help contribute to better food security, claim scientists in a paper published in Biological Conservation.

Using data from a previous study and their own field survey, the scientists put a value on the wrinkle-lipped bat's predation on the white-backed planthopper, a migratory insect pest in Asia that feeds on rice shoots.

The scientists calculated that each wrinkle-lipped bat (Tadarida plicata) consumes about 1,130 white-backed planthoppers (Sogatella furcifera) daily. With a population of almost 8m, the bat species may prevent annual paddy losses of nearly 2,900 tons – enough to feed 26,000 people for a year – with an export value of $1.2m (£716,000).

Thomas Cherico Wanger, lead author of the paper and a tropical ecologist at the University of Göttingen in Germany, suggests that Thai rice farmers can recruit bats in their fields by providing roosting boxes.

"The model shows that 300 bats in each roosting box can protect almost 700kg of rice per year," says Wanger.

Bats have yet to be considered as a significant pest control agent in agriculture, according to Wantana Srirattanasak, senior entomologist of Thailand's department of rice. "Our farmers have never thought of using bats as biological control agents," she says.

A year-long survey in 2005 reported that planthoppers made up almost 30% of the diet of wrinkled-lipped bats. Working from this survey, Wanger and his team built a model to "quantify the amount of rice that bats protect when they feed on planthoppers".

Combining data from the literature with their field observations, the scientists used the model to estimate the number of white-backed planthoppers consumed by all the wrinkled-lipped bats in Thailand. They then estimated the amount of rice harvest saved due to the predation of these planthoppers.

But models simplify nature based on assumptions that might be wrong, Wanger warns, adding that it is crucial to "compile good data" and "to indicate the level of error that comes with an estimate".

"The model has merits as a thought experiment," says Geoff Gurr, applied ecology professor at Charles Sturt University in Australia.

But Gurr, who has been working on the biological control of planthoppers with arthropod predators, notes that only one field survey was used to estimate the bats' predation on planthoppers. "It is not a substantial base on which to extrapolate too widely," he says.

Another caveat is that the amount of rice saved by the bats – 2,900 tons – is only a tiny portion of the 25-30 million tons of rice produced annually in Thailand. Bats might not be irrelevant, says Gurr, "but they are a very small portion of the mortality that would be required to control the planthoppers".

Wanger says his team understands the limits of their model. But he argues it is crucial to test predictions of the model against field experiments and more data analyses. He says their modelling code, published with their paper, was made "as transparent as possible" to help others test their predictions.

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Scientists: SARS virus originated from China's horseshoe bats

The Star 31 Oct 13;

CANBERRA: The Australian national science body, CSIRO, has confirmed that the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus originated in horseshoe bats from China.

The findings were made by a research team led by Prof Shi Zhengli from Wuhan Institute of Virology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, CSIRO and Duke-NUS scientist Prof Linfa Wang, according to the Xinhua news agency.

The team isolated a SARS-like coronavirus (CoV) called SL-CoV WIV1 directly from faecal samples of Chinese horseshoe bats using a methodology developed by scientists at CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, Victoria.

While researchers globally have previously used genetic sequencing to demonstrate that bats are the natural reservoirs of SARS-like CoVs, this is the first time that live virus has been successfully isolated from bats to confirm them as the origin of the virus.

"The results will help governments design more effective prevention strategies for SARS and similar epidemics," the agency said citing CSIRO.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) pandemic has killed 774 people out of 8,094 infected, a case fatality ratio of almost 10%.

Horseshoe bats are found around the world including in Australia and play an important ecological role.

Their role in SARS-CoV transmission highlights the importance of protecting the bat's natural environment, so they are not forced into highly populated urban areas in search of food.

The latest research is published in the journal Nature. - Bernama

Bats responsible for SARS virus
CSIRO Science Alert 30 Oct 13;

A team of international scientists has isolated a very close relative of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) from horseshoe bats in China, confirming them as the origin of the virus responsible for the 2002-3 pandemic.

The SARS-CoV pandemic killed 774 people of the 8094 people infected, a case fatality ratio of almost 10 per cent. With cases diagnosed across the world, the pandemic had an impact on international travel and trade.

The research team, led by Professor Shi Zhengli from Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and including CSIRO and Duke-NUS scientist Professor Linfa Wang, have just had their breakthrough results published in the prestigious journal Nature.

The results will help governments design more effective prevention strategies for SARS and similar epidemics.

While researchers globally have previously used genetic sequencing to demonstrate that bats are the natural reservoirs of SARS-like CoVs, this is the first time that live virus has been successfully isolated from bats to definitively confirm them as the origin of the virus.

The team successfully isolated a SARS-like CoV, named SL-CoV WIV1, directly from faecal samples of Chinese Horseshoe bats using the world renowned bat virus isolation methodology developed by scientists at CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong.

The results will help governments design more effective prevention strategies for SARS and similar epidemics.

Horseshoe bats are found around the world, including Australia and play an important ecological role. Their role in SARS-CoV transmission highlights the importance of protecting the bat’s natural environment so they are not forced into highly populated urban areas in search of food.
This work is part of CSIRO's ongoing commitment to protect Australia from biosecurity threats posed by new and emerging infectious diseases.

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Malaysia: Perhilitan: Species of bats in Cave Villa not under our purview

Steven Daniel and Bavani M, The Star, 4 Oct 13;

AS THE furore over bats being forced out of Cave Villa, a tourist attraction in Batu Caves rages on, there seems to be confusion on which agency has jurisdiction on the matter.

According to a Wildlife Department (Perhilitan) spokesman, they had sent a team to the area yesterday but the species living in the two caves operated by Cave Villa did not fall under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and as such were beyond their purview.

However, Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) president Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain said Perhilitan should investigate the matter.

“The council is prepared to conduct its own investigations.

“I cannot comment on Perhilitan’s behalf but when my officers do the site inspection soon, we will invite Perhilitan,” he said.

Mohd Azizi expressed concern over the chemicals used by the pest controllers to chase away the bats, as the area is popular among Malaysians and tourists.

Selangor executive councillor for Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment, Elizabeth Wong was shocked that the bats were treated in this way.

“Bats play an important role in our ecosystem. Some of these bats fly as far as Hulu Selangor and other fruit orchards and help pollinate the plants.”

She said any action which might affect the environment or eco-system must be properly assessed and researched before being implemented.

The Malaysian Nature Society in a statement said bats were essential for a healthy cave eco-system.

“Perhaps the Cave Villa management lacks environmental knowledge. The Malaysian Nature Society will be pleased to provide an environmental education programme to enhance their awareness on cave management,” said its head of communications, Andrew J. Sebastian.

Cave Villa is among several structures built in the Batu Caves area. Many Hindus said some of the projects undertaken have no religious significance while environmentalists have raised concerns over the impact of development on the flora and fauna in the area.

In July, the National Heritage Department said Batu Caves did not meet the criteria to be declared a Unesco World Heritage Site.

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Malaysia: Bats forced from caves

Steven Daniel The Star, 3 Oct 13;

THE company managing Cave Villa, a tourist attraction in Batu Caves, has hired a pest control company to get rid of the bats in two of the caves.

The move has caused an uproar among environmentalists.

According to a source, the management had hired the pest control company several months ago to get rid of the bats.

He said this was because the bats were carriers of various diseases and the operators did not want to endanger visitors’ health.

However, he could not say if there had been complaints of people falling ill due to contact with the bat droppings.

“The bat droppings are an eyesore and tourists are often put off by the sight,” said the source.

He said the pest controllers had sprayed chemicals at the nests to get rid of the bats.

He admitted that no experts or environmental groups had been consulted prior to hiring the pest control company.

He said, however, that the bat population had decreased.

The source said the pigeon population in Batu Caves was also being kept under control by trapping about 50 pigeons every two weeks.

“There are just too many here,” he said.

Meanwhile, Friends of Batu Caves coalition spokesman Lim Teck Wyn said they were appalled by the operator’s actions.

He said under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, it was an offence to harm indigenous wildlife in any location, adding that at least 10 species of bats were living in some of the 20 caves in Batu Caves.

“The area where Cave Villa is located was gazetted in 1930 for public use and should not have been converted for commercial use in the first place.”

“The Batu Caves temple committee has abused its powers,” he said when contacted.

He urged the Wildlife Department (Perhilitian) to take stern action over the matter.

Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) officers, led by licensing director Affendei Samingan, also visited Cave Villa yesterday morning following a recent StarMetro report on Tuesday titled “National icon in shambles”.

It was reported that many visitors were unhappy over the deplorable condition of the Cave Villa and questioned its relevance in a place of worship as well as its effects on the environment.

MPS found the operators of Cave Villa guilty under the Entertainment and Entertainment Premises regulations (Selangor,1996), for failing to apply for an entertainment licence and fined them RM1,000.

The operators only have valid licences to sell food, beverages and souvenirs.

Affendei said the operators were cooperative and had claimed they were unaware of the need to apply for an entertainment licence.

He said they would be applying for one soon.

Later, MPS also inspected 21 business premises in Batu Caves and issued three compounds of RM1,000 each to three premises for not having valid licences.

On reports of alleged abuse of animals kept in Cave Villa and bats, Affendei said they would notify Perhilitan to investigate the claims.

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