Best of our wild blogs: 1 Sep 18

16 Sep (Sun): Kayak Punggol to Ubin with Kayakasia
Celebrating Singapore Shores!

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Malaysia has not sent Singapore proposals for third link: Desmond Lee

Channel NewsAsia 31 Aug 18;

SINGAPORE: Malaysia has not sent Singapore its proposals to build a third link to Singapore, said Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee in a Facebook post on Friday (Aug 31).

He had met members of the Friends of Ubin Network, who asked him about news reports that Johor was studying the possibility of building a third link to Singapore via Pulau Ubin.

"I explained that we have not received Malaysia’s proposals and do not have details of it," he said, echoing an earlier statement from Singapore's Ministry of Transport.

Singapore is currently linked to Johor via the Woodlands Causeway in the north and the Second Link Bridge at Tuas in the west.

It was reported on Thursday that Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said that there is "some" plan to build a third link with Singapore, without providing details.

Mr Lee said that if Singapore does receive a proposal, the "relevant agencies will certainly study it carefully".

"Work on the Ubin Project, to keep Pulau Ubin rustic and to protect its heritage and biodiversity, continues," he added.

News of the potential third link was also met with disapproval online, with one nature enthusiast adding that Pulau Ubin should be preserved for its "rustic" features.

"As a nature conservationist and activist, I have seen Ubin transform ... over the past 35 years and my main worry is what would happen to Ubin once it’s been accepted as the choice for the third link," said Ben Lee, founder of nature conservation group Nature Trekker.

"It would be, in short, disastrous. Particularly to all those people who appreciate nature or wildlife."

He added that Pulau Ubin is the "last remnant left in Singapore for people to enjoy the sight, smell and feel of rustic kampung lifestyle".

Source: CNA/aa(ra)


No word on Malaysia's proposal for a third link to Pulau Ubin: Desmond Lee
Today Online 1 Sep 18;

SINGAPORE – The Republic has not received any proposal from the Malaysian government for a third link to Singapore via Pulau Ubin, said Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee.

Mr Lee, who is also Second Minister for National Development, was responding to questions on the sidelines of a meeting he had with the Friends of Ubin Network (FUN) following reports about the possibility of a third link between the two countries.

In a Facebook post on Friday (Aug 31) evening, Mr Lee said: "We have not received Malaysia's proposals and do not have details of it. If we do receive it, the relevant agencies will certainly study it carefully."

He added that Pulau Ubin will be kept rustic and its heritage and biodiversity will be protected.

On Thursday, the Johor state government reportedly expressed interest in developing another link to Singapore on its eastern flank and mooted the idea of a link directly to Pulau Ubin.

Johor Chief Minister Osman Sapian said the state government, which is formed by Malaysia's ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, will send a proposal to the federal government on the matter before further plans can be made.

Later in the day, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad also told media in Kuala Lumpur: "There is some plan in the offing... there is already some plan." No further details were given.

Responding to TODAY's queries on Thursday, a spokesperson from Singapore's Ministry of Transport said: "We have not received any official proposal or communications from Malaysia regarding a third link between Singapore and Malaysia."


Singapore has not received Malaysia's proposals for third link via Pulau Ubin: Desmond Lee
Charmaine Ng Straits Times 31 Aug 18;

SINGAPORE - Singapore has not received Malaysia's proposals for a third link via Pulau Ubin, said Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee on Friday (Aug 31).

He was speaking a day after Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said that there was "some" plan to build a third link with Singapore.

Malaysia's The Star newspaper also quoted Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian as saying that the state government was in talks with a company about the third-link project, which could be built in the next three to four years.

Datuk Osman said the proposed bridge - which would start from Pengerang near Kota Tinggi, in Johor, and end at Pulau Ubin, in Singapore - could help ease traffic congestion on the two existing land links between the two countries.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Mr Lee said he was at a meeting with volunteers from Friends of Ubin Network, when he was asked about news reports about the third link.

"I explained that we have not received Malaysia's proposals and do not have details of it. If we do receive it, the relevant agencies will certainly study it carefully," said Mr Lee, who is also Second Minister for National Development.

"Work on the Ubin Project, to keep Pulau Ubin rustic and to protect its heritage and biodiversity continues," he added.


Singapore to study Malaysia's proposal on Third Link once received
Bernama New Straits Times 1 Sep 18;

SINGAPORE: Singapore will study carefully Malaysia’s proposals to have a third bridge linking Johor with Singapore via Pulau Ubin once it is on the table.

As for now, Singapore has yet to receive any official proposals from Malaysia.

“If we do receive it, the relevant agencies will certainly study it carefully,” Singapore Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee wrote on his Facebook page late Friday evening.

Lee, who is also the Second Minister for National Development, was at Pulau Ubin for a quarterly meeting with members of the Friends of Ubin Network (FUN).

Lee said he was asked about news reports that Johor was studying the possibility of the third link on the sidelines of the meeting.

“I explained that we have not received Malaysia’s proposals and do not have details of it,” he wrote.

Lee assured FUN’s members that work on the Ubin Project, including a restoration study of kampung houses .

“We will keep Pulau Ubin rustic and protect its heritage and biodiversity,” he wrote.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian, had on Aug 30, said the state government planned to build the third link to ease traffic congestion at the Johor Causeway and second link crossing.

However, Osman said a proposal would first be sent to the federal government for due diligence.

The plan is to link Pengerang, Johor and Pulau Ubin in Singapore via a three-kilometre bridge and an undersea tunnel. – BERNAMA

Related link: Malaysia: Johor govt mulling third Malaysia-Singapore link

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AVA received 150 cases of wild boar-related feedback from January to July 2018, more than entire year in 2016

Timothy Goh and Toh Ting Wei Straits Times 31 Aug 18;

SINGAPORE - The AVA said on Friday (Aug 31) that it had received about 150 cases of wild boar-related feedback islandwide from January to July in 2018.

In 2017, it had received a total of 310 cases of feedback, more than double of the 140 cases in 2016, and almost four times of the 80 cases in 2015.

In Punggol, however, 33 cases were reported in the first seven months of this year, which exceeded the 27 cases reported for the whole of last year.

The latest statistics come on the heels of an incident in Punggol on Tuesday (Aug 28) where a woman was injured by a wild boar near Punggol Secondary School. She had to be taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital to receive treatment for her injuries.

The boar later fled to an executive condominium in the area, where it was tranquillised and captured.

Mr Kalai Vanan, Acres' deputy chief executive, said that "feeding by people may have had a part to play in causing the animal to venture" into the area.

The AVA said on Friday: "The public must do their part by not feeding wild animals and ensuring proper food waste disposal."

The wild boar was tranquillised and captured after it ran into a condominium. It had earlier attacked an administrator from Punggol Secondary School (right).

It added that members of the public may not know the appropriate ways to interact with wild and stray animals, and how some of their actions (e.g. feeding) may "inadvertently condition stray and wild animals to become familiar and comfortable with human presence and reliance for food".

In June 2017, posters reading "No Feeding of Wild Animals" were put up by staff outside the canteen of Tuas Bus Terminal, after a video showing a pack of wild boars loitering in the area was shared online.

A bus captain at the time told The Straits Times that he had seen the boars looking for food in the garbage around the area.

On Thursday, Chinese paper Shin Min Daily News reported that a herd of over 20 wild boars had been spotted at Pasir Ris. The paper said that over a hundred pieces of bread were found near the herd and speculated that someone had left them there deliberately for the boars to eat.

Wildlife experts ST spoke to said that the rise in numbers may not only be due to feeding of wildlife but also the destruction of their natural habitats.

Mr Subaraj Rajathurai, director of Strix Wildlife consultancy, said that many pockets of nature had been removed for housing development in recent years, causing wildlife to lose their habitats and wander around looking for food.

He said: "We have encroached on their homes, where do you expect them to go?"

He added that the problem is likely to increase in the future due to Singapore's growing population and shortage of land.

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Head out and enjoy Singapore's nature spots

If you haven't paid a visit to some of Singapore's green spots recently, take some time this weekend to venture forth, says Channel NewsAsia's David Bottomley.
David Bottomley Channel NewsAsia 1 Sep 18;

SINGAPORE: I have a new, favourite nature spot in Singapore: Berlayer Creek.

Until last weekend, I’d never heard of it, let alone visited it. But on Sunday during a trip to Labrador Park, I was intrigued by a signpost pointing towards the creek and decided to investigate.

If you’ve never been there, you’re missing out on an opportunity to enjoy a peaceful oasis smack in the middle of the urban sprawl around that stretch of West Coast Highway. A few steps from Labrador Park MRT station is the start of a boardwalk that runs alongside the creek for a kilometre, with a couple of viewing platforms along the way.

Thick foliage provides some shade, but there are still plenty of gaps through which to gaze at the slow-moving, clear water, which is home to fish and other aquatic creatures. The final treat is reaching the end of the boardwalk, where the wooded area suddenly opens out to a vast expanse of sea and sky, with a clear view to Sentosa and beyond.

A few steps from Labrador Park MRT station is the start of a boardwalk that runs alongside the creek for a kilometre, with a couple of viewing platforms along the way. (Photo: My Community)

Buffeted by a cooling sea breeze, standing there enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of this location was a reminder that, despite its size, Singapore is blessed with pockets of natural loveliness that are all too readily dismissed by some and ignored by many.

Indeed, the delights of this little walk should make it very popular, but I was almost alone for the 45 minutes I spent there before heading into Labrador. All I had for company was a couple of joggers, a family with a toddler in a stroller and a spritely old uncle, who greeted me with an enthusiastic wave and a cheery “hello” as he enjoyed his afternoon constitutional.

The lack of big crowds at some nature spots has been a constant theme in recent weeks when I have visited parts of Singapore that I am less familiar with.

Bored of always running at MacRitchie or Bedok reservoirs and tired of walking at Bukit Timah Hill (all of which seem busy during the weekend), over the past couple of months I have set out to explore some other natural charms with a fresh pair of eyes, adopting the mindset of a new visitor rather than someone who’s been here almost 20 years.

And what a revelation it has been.

From Coney Island to Sungei Buloh and all points between, Singapore is teeming with beautiful parks, vistas and green spots that never fail to delight.

Among the highlights for me was walking at Kranji Reservoir at dusk and seeing a big bird of prey (I’m not sure which type) swoop down on the still waters to scoop out a large fish for its dinner.

Then there was the long walk around Coney Island and Punggol, ending at the Lorong Halus Wetland.

The attractions of Punggol have hit the headlines recently after being mentioned by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally. If you haven’t been there, I recommend that you go. Only by visiting can one appreciate how pleasant it is, with its extensive network of waterways, bridges and paths.

Visits to both locations were significant for their lack of visitors. On a Sunday afternoon – peak time to explore – crowds were thin on the ground. At Lorong Halus Wetland – another location whose existence had passed me by – I was almost alone.

On the upside, this meant I could enjoy a peaceful stroll among the ponds and plants. On the downside, it seemed a shame that more people weren’t there to share its green gorgeousness.

So, if it’s been a while since you set out to explore Singapore’s natural attractions, especially some of the more recent additions, then maybe head out this weekend. Pick somewhere you’ve never been to before or haven’t visited for a long time and go and take a look.

While the place you visit might not have the “wow” factor of some of the world’s greatest natural wonders, I guarantee it will please the eye and soothe the soul, offering some much-needed respite from the daily pressures of city life.

As Ferris Bueller says:

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

And sometimes getting stuck in a routine means we don’t venture forth to explore what is on our doorstep. If that applies to you, get out and about.

Sniff the fresh air. Have a nose around a nature reserve. Take a peek at some unfamiliar parks.

You won’t regret it.

Source: CNA/db(cy)

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Malaysia: Poachers running rampant in Pahang's forests to kill elephants just for their tusks

Amin Ridzuan Ishak and T.N Alagesh New Straits Times 31 Aug 18;

KUANTAN: Lying on the ground is the carcass of an adult elephant with its head badly mutilated and bearing gunshot wounds while its tusks were hacked-off by poachers.

That is the stunning discovery made by Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) rangers near a forest reserve here late last year raising concerns about poaching syndicates making inroads into the state to gun-down the mammals for their tusks.

Fetching USD2,000 (RM8,100) a kilogram abroad, the ivory trade is widely considered as the most lucrative business making the elephants a prime target for poachers.

Forest clearing activities have exposed Pahang with an estimated population of between 300 and 400 Asian elephants to be among the target for the well-organised syndicates who are believed to have established links with a bigger poaching racket operating in neighbouring countries and around the region.

Among the hotspots identified as a favourite among elephant poachers here is the Endau Rompin National Park, Lesung reserve forest, Selancar, Cenderawasih, Bukit Ibam, Chemomoi, Kemasul, Jelai reserve forest, Kenong, Kechau, Som, Tekai, Bekelah, Ulu Lepar, Sungai Lembing and Bukit Sagu.

State Perhilitan director Ahmad Azhar Mohamed said the death of the adult male elephant last year was an eye-opener as the syndicates have began targeting the endangered pachyderm in the state which is covered with dense tropical forest.

He said investigations revealed, poachers armed with a gun will kill the elephant before using a chain saw to brutally cut off the tusks and leave the carcass to rot.

Ahmad Azhar said forest clearing activities has forced the mammals to find new areas as sources of food especially near settlements, which expose them to human-elephant conflict and a target for poachers.

“It makes it easier for poachers especially when the forest has access including logging trails...they might leave their vehicles near the forest perimeter and use a motorcycle to reach far into the jungle as they only bring along a gun and saw.

“Killing an elephant often happens by chance as the poachers might study the animals behavior and surrounding areas before striking.The target might be a lone adult elephant which may have strayed out of forests, its group or ventured a little too far in search of food,” he told NSTP.

He said the department also learnt that the poachers have hired “tonto” to keep a watch for the presence of Perhilitan enforcement officers and also provide details if they spotted elephants roaming in their settlements.

Meanwhile Ahmad Azhar said the poaching syndicates might have a wide network around the country including abroad and they are connected to the recent arrest in several other locations over the past few years.

“We are conducting investigations and it could be a matter of time before we track down the culprits. In 2017, a gang were arrested in Kelantan before another syndicate was caught in Perak early this year.

“They are certainly notorious and heavily armed prepared to brutally kill the animals just for the tusks. We have not noticed any other organs missing from the carcass found in Pahang,” he said.

He said the poachers mainly target elephants but are prepared to kill other endangered animals that comes their way as their aim is to only earn lucrative returns from selling the wildlife.

The tusks, which can fetch thousands of dollars overseas, could fetch between RM500 and RM2,000 a kilogramme on the black market locally.

Those charged under Section 68 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) for hunting or killing protected wildlife can be fined RM100,000 or jailed up to three years.


Rise in local elephant poaching rings alarm bells nationwide
AMIN RIDZUAN ISHAK, TN Alagesh New Straits Times 31 Aug 18;

KUANTAN: When it was reported that Malaysia has emerged as a major transit point for African ivory, many were shocked.

But the recent killings of elephants in the country have taken many by surprise.

A former Perhilitan ranger said that elephant poaching in Malaysia was almost unheard of in the past, but the significant price for Asian elephant ivory tusks has prompted some to engage in the illicit and immoral activity.

He said that although reported cases of poaching are rare, it remains unknown how syndicates operate and the precise locations of their activities in Peninsular and East Malaysia.

“(These people) are certainly not amateurs. They know their job and (who to sell the tusks to). It is not every week that you can find an elephant with tusks and kill it easily.... it only happens by chance.

“In the past, elephants were butchered in certain African countries and the tusks were smuggled into Asia, where they were turned into carved ornamental ivories.

“Malaysia has no domestic industry for ivory products, so the tusks (of Malaysian elephants) are sent abroad,” he said.


“Malaysia has no domestic industry for ivory products, so the tusks (of Malaysian elephants) are sent abroad.” Pix courtesy of Perhilitan
Meanwhile, state Perhilitan director Ahmad Azhar Mohamed urged the public to play a more significant role in helping to combat elephant poaching by providing tip-offs to Perhilitan.

“People must realise that when an elephant leaves a forest, it means that the mammal is facing a conflict, and poachers would often target the elephant. Do not wait until the elephant reaches a village to inform us.

“Please immediately alert us in case you spot elephants near plantations, as we will send our rangers to do the necessary. The Orang Asli community and various non-governmental organisations are also cooperating with us to ensure the elephants always remain in their habitat,” he said.

About elephants:

• All African elephants, both male and female, have tusks, whereas only some Asian males have tusks.
• Asian elephant tusks are named “gading jantung” and “gading rotan.”
• Gading jantung is solid and measures about 1m long, while gading rotan is hollow, measuring some 1.5m long
• Asian elephant tusks weigh between 10 and 15kg

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Best of our wild blogs: 31 Aug 18

3rd Link on Pulau Ubin? NO!
Wan's Ubin Journal

Fires and haze are back in Indonesia as peat protection bid falls short
eco-business.com

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Malaysia: Water transfer initiative likely for critical Sungai Lebam Dam, says Johor exco

Malay Mail 30 Aug 18;

JOHOR BARU, Aug 30 — The Johor government is likely to carry out a water transfer initiative from its other dams especially in southern Johor, if water supply is inadequate following the critical water level at the Sungai Lebam Dam near Kota Tinggi.

State Committee chairman for International Trade, Investment and Utilities, Jimmy Puah Wee Tse said with water usage in southern Johor being the highest in the state, the amount of water at the Sungai Lebam dam was a cause for concern as it was feared to be insufficient.

“The state government will hold a special meeting with relevant agencies to discuss water solving and transfer methods (from the other dams),” he said after visiting the Frontier Industrial Park in Ulu Tiram, here today.

The state would continue to monitor the weather and if it remained hot without rain, it would have to start the water-transfer process (from other dams) if the situation worsened, he said, adding that the water-level readings at other dams had dropped but were not critical.

He said that the Sungai Lebam reservoir’s water level now stood at at 11.48 metres, lower than its critical level mark of 12.32 metres, attributing it to the current hot weather, expected to continue until October.

Puah said that the state government would also have to start water rationing as the existing water supply at the dam was only expected to last for 60 days from today.

The Sungai Lebam Dam reservoir was crucial as it supplies 45 million litres of water daily to more than one million users in southern Johor and the authorities would also monitor the dams that supply water to Kluang and Mersing which were often affected by drought, he added. — Bernama

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Malaysia: Johor govt mulling third Malaysia-Singapore link

MOHD FAHMI MOHD YUSOF New Straits Times 30 Aug 18;

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government says it plans to build a third link between Malaysia and Singapore to reduce traffic congestion on the Johor Causeway.

Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian said the third link, once completed, would connect Pengerang in east Johor to Pulau Ubin in Singapore.

He also said the state government will draft a proposal for the construction of the link before submitting it to the federal government for approval.

“If we look at it, Pengerang is only three kilometres away from Pulau Ubin and east Johor is experiencing rapid growth.

“We also talked about implementing a new system at the third link, where people will only need to show authorities their passports once for verification,” he said during a press conference here today.

Present was UEM Sunrise Bhd chief executive officer and managing director Anwar Syahrin Abdul Ajib.

Osman said discussions on the new link would involve several agencies, including the state Implementation and Coordination Unit.

“The discussions will also involve the Singaporean government,” he said, adding that the link may be connected to the Pulau Ubin underground tunnel.

“The state government is always thinking about Malaysian citizens who cross into Singapore for work and the existing links are congested and packed,” he added.


Singapore yet to receive official proposal for third link
Bernama New Strait Times 30 Aug 18;

SINGAPORE: Singapore has yet to receive any official proposal from Malaysia on a third bridge linking both countries from the eastern side of Johor.

“We have not received any official proposal or communication from Malaysia regarding a third link between Singapore and Malaysia,” a spokesperson from Singapore’s Ministry of Transport said in a statement today.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian had earlier today said the state government had a plan to build the third link to ease traffic congestion at the Johor Causeway and second link crossing.

However, Osman said a proposal would first be sent to the federal government for due diligence.

The plan is to link Pengerang, Johor and Pulau Ubin in Singapore via a three-kilometre bridge and an undersea tunnel.--BERNAMA


Malaysia floats plan for third link to Singapore
Channel NewsAsia 30 Aug 18;

SINGAPORE: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday (Aug 30) that there is "some" plan to build a third link with Singapore, amid reports that Malaysia's southern state of Johor was in talks to build a bridge that could be completed in three or four years.

Singapore is currently linked to Johor via the very busy Woodlands Causeway in the north and the Second Link Bridge at Tuas in the west.

Asked about a plan to build a third link, Mahathir told reporters in Kuala Lumpur: "There is some plan in the offing ... there is already some plan." He did not provide any further details.

In response to media queries, a spokesperson from Singapore's Ministry of Transport said: "We have not received any official proposal or communications from Malaysia regarding a third link between Singapore and Malaysia."

Earlier, Malaysian state media reported that the Johor government was researching the possibility of building a bridge from Pengerang near Kota Tinggi to the Pulau Ubin island in Singapore.

The proposed bridge could help ease traffic congestion on the two existing bridges which link the two countries, said Johor's Chief Minister Osman Sapian as cited by Bernama.

"Yesterday, I had a discussion with interested parties about the possibility of a third link from east Johor. We observed that the area was close to Pulau Ubin - they were only about 3km apart," Mr Osman said.

Mr Osman said it was likely that the link would have a different customs and immigration system from the one used at the Causeway and Second Link.

"We may use a new system. It could be that Singapore and Malaysia's immigration checks will be conducted just once either in Pengerang or in Pulau Ubin," said the minister.

The project was still at the research stage, he added, and findings would be presented to the federal government to be studied.

Mr Osman also commented on the RTS link, saying that the project would likely begin in the third quarter of 2019.

"The design of the RTS will remain as it was decided before. It's just that presently, there is an overlap of companies," he said.

The RTS, which is supposed to operate from Bukit Chagar to the Woodlands North station in Singapore, is expected to be able to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour when it is ready in 2024.

Mahathir's comment comes after he reviewed a series of infrastructure projects with China and with Singapore that had been pushed by his predecessor Najib Razak, whose coalition suffered a surprise defeat in the May election.

Mahathir has suspended plans for a high-speed rail link from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.

Source: Bernama/Reuters/CNA/hs(cy)/mz



Possible 3rd link to Singapore: Johor govt moots bridge to Pulau Ubin
Today Online 30 Aug 18;

KUALA LUMPUR/ISKANDAR PUTERI (Malaysia) — Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad confirmed on Thursday (Aug 30) that there is "some" plan to build a third link with Singapore.

Dr Mahathir was fielding questions from media in Kuala Lumpur following reports of the possibility of another link with the country's southern neighbour. He was quoted saying: "There is some plan in the offing ... there is already some plan." No further details were given.

The Johor state government had earlier expressed interest in another link to Singapore, this time to be built on its eastern flank.

Johor Chief Minister Osman Sapian said the proposed route is from the Sungai Rengit area in Pengerang, Kota Tinggi district direct to Singapore's Pulau Ubin.

"Yesterday I had a discussion with several interested parties. From the discussion, there is likely to be a third link in eastern Johor that will link to Pulau Ubin in Singapore.

"It will be developed like the Second Link crossing," he said.

Datuk Osman said the state government, which is formed by Malaysia's ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, will send a proposal to the federal government on the matter before further plans can be made.

Over the years, several groups — mainly local business associations and guilds — had called on the previous Barisan Nasional state government to look at having a third link from Johor to Singapore.

The proposal was due to increasing traffic on the Causeway in Johor Baru and on the Second Link crossing from Tuas to Gelang Patah.

In late 2016, the Transport Ministry had recommended the proposed construction of a third link from Pasir Gudang to Singapore's Changi Airport.

However, the proposal remained in the discussion stage and no specific development was followed up. AGENCIES


Malaysia floats plan for third link to Singapore
Channel NewsAsia 30 Aug 18;

SINGAPORE: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday (Aug 30) that there is "some" plan to build a third link with Singapore, amid reports that Malaysia's southern state of Johor was in talks to build a bridge that could be completed in three or four years.

Singapore is currently linked to Johor via the very busy Woodlands Causeway in the north and the Second Link Bridge at Tuas in the west.

Asked about a plan to build a third link, Mahathir told reporters in Kuala Lumpur: "There is some plan in the offing ... there is already some plan." He did not provide any further details.

In response to media queries, a spokesperson from Singapore's Ministry of Transport said: "We have not received any official proposal or communications from Malaysia regarding a third link between Singapore and Malaysia."

Earlier, Malaysian state media reported that the Johor government was researching the possibility of building a bridge from Pengerang near Kota Tinggi to the Pulau Ubin island in Singapore.

The proposed bridge could help ease traffic congestion on the two existing bridges which link the two countries, said Johor's Chief Minister Osman Sapian as cited by Bernama.

"Yesterday, I had a discussion with interested parties about the possibility of a third link from east Johor. We observed that the area was close to Pulau Ubin - they were only about 3km apart," Mr Osman said.

Mr Osman said it was likely that the link would have a different customs and immigration system from the one used at the Causeway and Second Link.

"We may use a new system. It could be that Singapore and Malaysia's immigration checks will be conducted just once either in Pengerang or in Pulau Ubin," said the minister.

The project was still at the research stage, he added, and findings would be presented to the federal government to be studied.

Mr Osman also commented on the RTS link, saying that the project would likely begin in the third quarter of 2019.

READ: Singapore, Malaysia to announce joint decisions on RTS, HSR soon, says Khaw Boon Wan
"The design of the RTS will remain as it was decided before. It's just that presently, there is an overlap of companies," he said.

The RTS, which is supposed to operate from Bukit Chagar to the Woodlands North station in Singapore, is expected to be able to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour when it is ready in 2024.

Mahathir's comment comes after he reviewed a series of infrastructure projects with China and with Singapore that had been pushed by his predecessor Najib Razak, whose coalition suffered a surprise defeat in the May election.

Mahathir has suspended plans for a high-speed rail link from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.

Source: Bernama/Reuters/CNA/hs(cy)/mz


Possible 3rd link to Singapore: Johor govt moots bridge to Pulau Ubin
Today Online 31 Aug 18;

KUALA LUMPUR/ISKANDAR PUTERI (Malaysia) — Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad confirmed on Thursday (Aug 30) that there is "some" plan to build a third link with Singapore.

Tun Mahathir was fielding questions from media in Kuala Lumpur following reports of the possibility of another link with the country's southern neighbour. He was quoted saying: "There is some plan in the offing... there is already some plan." No further details were given.

The Johor state government had earlier expressed interest in another link to Singapore, this time to be built on its eastern flank.

Johor Chief Minister Osman Sapian said the proposed route is from the Sungai Rengit area in Pengerang, Kota Tinggi district direct to Singapore's Pulau Ubin.

"Yesterday I had a discussion with several interested parties. From the discussion, there is likely to be a third link in eastern Johor that will link to Pulau Ubin in Singapore.

"It will be developed like the Second Link crossing," he said.

Datuk Osman said the state government, which is formed by Malaysia's ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, will send a proposal to the federal government on the matter before further plans can be made.

Responding to TODAY's queries, a spokesperson from Singapore's Ministry of Transport said: "We have not received any official proposal or communications from Malaysia regarding a third link between Singapore and Malaysia."

Over the years, several groups — mainly local business associations and guilds — had called on the previous Barisan Nasional state government to look at having a third link from Johor to Singapore.

The proposal was due to increasing traffic on the Causeway in Johor Baru and on the Second Link crossing from Tuas to Gelang Patah.

In late 2016, the Transport Ministry had recommended the proposed construction of a third link from Pasir Gudang to Singapore's Changi Airport.

However, the proposal remained in the discussion stage and no specific development was followed up. AGENCIES

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Trade of coastal sand is damaging wildlife of poorer nations, study finds

Wealthy nations’ drastic increase in construction sand consumption contributes to erosion of estuaries
Patrick Barkham The Guardian 31 Aug 18;

The secretive trade of coastal sand to wealthy countries such as China is seriously damaging the wildlife of poorer nations whose resources are being plundered, according to a new study.

Sand and gravel are the most extracted groups of materials worldwide after water, with sand used in the concrete and asphalt of global cities. China consumed more sand between 2011 and 2013 than the US did during the entire 20th century. India has more than tripled its annual use of construction sand since 2000.

But coastal sand is also being used to make wealthy countries larger via land reclamation projects, and the cost to poorer nations is revealed in a presentation to the Royal Geographical Society’s annual conference.

Research by Melissa Marschke and Laura Schoenberger of the University of Ottawa highlights that the dredging of coastal sand from Cambodia is causing the loss of mangrove swamps, coastal erosion, and damaging local fishing. They also allege that the sheer scale of the multimillion dollar trade of sand must be illegal, given that the volumes permitted for import are being exceeded.

Singapore is built on sand: its land area has grown by more than a fifth since its independence in 1965 from 581 sq km to 719 sq km in 2015, according to the researchers. Between 2007 and 2017, Singapore imported more sand from Cambodia than any other country.

Sand worth US$752m was imported by Singapore from Cambodia between 2007 and 2016, according to UN data.

Cambodia is not the only place experiencing vast sand extraction. A study recently estimated that 236m cubic metres of sand were extracted from Poyang Lake in China, causing its water levels to drop dramatically. Sand miners have destroyed at least two dozen islands in Indonesia since 2005. The UK obtains about one fifth of its sand from the seabed.

Cambodian figures claim that the total export worth for the same time period was just $5m but Singapore trade statistics show that 80.22m metric tons of sand was imported from Cambodia, compared with the 2.77m metric tons Cambodia claims was exported to Singapore.

Schoenberger, a postdoctoral fellow, told the conference: “The volume of sand that has been leaving Cambodia over the last ten years is absolutely illegal; way beyond the government’s permitted limits.

“Small amounts of sand can be legally exported, but Singaporean import figures reveal that this Cambodian resource is clearly, and rapidly, disappearing. It appears that someone with high level connections in the Cambodian government is making a lot of money.”

Desert sand is too rounded by the wind to make good concrete but coastal sand can be rinsed with freshwater to clean it of salt before use in construction. Coastal sand is also a key ingredient in land reclamation projects such as China’s expansion into the South China Sea.

Schoenberger and Marschke interviewed villagers and sand dredgers in Cambodia and found that most dredgers were entrepreneurs with small boats who extracted the sand in estuaries and close to coastal fisheries, damaging local crab and fish stocks.

According to Marschke, associate professor at the University of Ottowa, the noise and sediment disturbance causes grouper fish to relocate and drives crabs from the area. Subsequent erosion of mangroves destroys vital fish and crab breeding grounds and damages a natural sea defence for coastal communities.

“Sand mining is contributing to the erosion of estuaries, the collapse of riverbanks and loss of mangroves,” said Marschke. “The removal of vast quantities of sand will definitely impact upon coastal erosion.”

Following petitions and protests by local people and an influential campaign by Cambodian group Mother Nature, the Cambodian government banned coastal sand mining in 2017. But the researchers cast doubt on whether the ban is being upheld or will endure in the face of relentless global demand for sand. Singapore’s land area in 2030 is predicted to be 30% larger than in 1965.

Marschke said: “We need to realise that sand is a finite resource and we are overusing it and if we don’t start to manage it properly it has huge implications.”

Schoenberger said the issue of rich nations buying poor nations’ sands was “a huge social justice question”.

She added: “What does it mean for a wealthy country to grow out into the sea and up into the sky at the expense of the physical biomaterial of poor countries?

“Sand is not a renewable resource within human timescales.”

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Do you know what kind of plastics can be recycled? Majority of Singaporeans have no clue

SIAU MING EN Today Online 30 Aug 18;

SINGAPORE — Seven in 10 people in Singapore are not fully certain about the type of plastics that can be recycled, causing many to trash most of the products as general waste instead of recycling them, said the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) in its report on Thursday (Aug 30).

The report was derived from an eight-month study which included a recent survey of 1,003 people here on their plastic usage habits and attitudes towards recycling.

To test their level of awareness on the types of plastics that can be recycled here, the respondents were asked to determine if each of the five plastic items – plastic bags, take-away containers (non-polystyrene), styrofoam containers, bottled drinking water and detergent bottles – can be recycled in Singapore.

Only three in 10 gave the correct answers for all five items.

Only 6 per cent of the plastic waste generated in Singapore was recycled last year, the lowest rate in the last decade. In comparison, the United States and Europe recycle 9 and 30 per cent respectively of such waste annually.

Inconvenience was also listed as the top reason for not recycling plastic waste, said the council.

Respondents who cited this reason for not recycling plastic waste (42 per cent) said it was a hassle to bring their bag of recyclables to the recycling bin, separate it from general waste, as well as having to wash, dry and clean the recyclable plastic items.

But others (35 per cent) said they did not recycle these items as they intend to reuse them for other purposes.

To help recycling efforts, 45 per cent of the respondents said they need more information on the different types of plastics, as well as what can or cannot be recycled.

An earlier set of findings from the same survey released by SEC earlier this month found that people here use at least 1.76 billion supermarket plastic bags, plastic bottle and plastic disposables a year. About half of those surveyed also use three or more plastic bags each time they visit the supermarket.

Further findings released on Thursday showed that the respondents were divided over whether imposing a charge on plastic items will be effective in reducing its use.

However, the majority said incentives such as product discounts, shopping vouchers and membership points for bringing their own bag or container would be effective at cutting down the use of plastic.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Singapore Environmental Achievement Awards on Thursday, SEC chairman Isabella Huang-Loh said the low level of awareness on recycling plastics could be due to an earlier emphasis on recycling items such as paper and tins.

Likewise, plastic products often contain different information on recycling since they are imported from several countries. This makes it more complex for people to understand how plastics can be recycled, she said.

The SEC's report on consumer use of plastic and the waste ecosystem in Singapore also made several recommendations.

WHAT CAN BE DONE:

Replace single-use plastic bags

Retailers can get customers to use reusable bags to bag vegetables and fruits at supermarkets, as well as for the bread at bakeries.

Create a market for innovative uses of recycled plastic

Recycled plastics can be converted to oil and fuel using technology, or used in the production of flat-panel displays, and ink and toner cartridges.

Set up specialised recycling companies

The contracts for collecting general waste and recyclables could be separated to allow specialised companies to enter the Singapore market, providing the technology and capabilities to recycle plastic.

Standardise recycling bins

The colour and shape of recycling bins can be standardised so that recycling can be more intuitive. The same goes for labels so that consumers can easily understand the information on recycling.

Introduce legislation and policies targeted at reducing plastic waste

Make it mandatory for public waste collectors to provide recycling bins and collections services to commercial firms as they produce more plastic waste than households.

Inconvenience and ignorance key obstacles to recycling
Environment Council spells out six proposals to boost Singapore's plastic recycling rate
Adrian Lim Straits Times 31 Aug 18;

Non-polystyrene takeaway containers can be recycled after being emptied and rinsed, but styrofoam ones should not be thrown into the blue recycling bins in Singapore.

However, most Singaporeans are not fully aware of such guidelines and which kinds of plastics can and cannot be recycled. This lack of knowledge is why the bulk of plastic products are disposed of as general waste, a report by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) shows.

The Consumer Plastic and Plastic Resource Ecosystem in Singapore report, released yesterday at the SEC Annual Conference, showed four in 10 cited inconvenience as a reason for not recycling. This is in addition to seven in 10 who indicated they did not fully understand what plastics to recycle. About 20 per cent said they were not aware of the location of the nearest recycling bins.

To tackle the issues, SEC, a non-governmental organisation, has spelt out six recommendations to boost Singapore's plastic recycling rate, which is only at 6 per cent, poorer than for other materials like paper and cardboard, at 50 per cent.

They include giving firms that specialise in recycling technology the opportunity to operate in Singapore.

The council also suggested that public-sector and non-governmental organisations partner major packaging-waste industries, such as food and beverage, to reduce the use of plastic packaging. Another recommendation is to build a market for recycled plastic through innovation, like using recycled plastic to support manufacturing segments such as the electronics sectors. Council executive director Jen Teo said: "In Singapore, our plastic eco-system is mostly linear, which means that plastic goes from producers to consumers, to the waste bin. This places a strain on our waste management systems as well as uses up an enormous amount of natural resources."

For the report commissioned jointly with Deloitte & Touche Enterprise Risk Services, 1,003 people were surveyed from December to May. Despite the lack of awareness on which plastics can be recycled, 45 per cent wanted to learn more.

Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said the council's efforts to fight plastic waste, and its call for individuals to use one less plastic item a day, are commendable, and he hopes the public will rise to the challenge.

Mr Emmanual Tay, who runs Eco Innovative, which helps clients monitor and analyse their waste data, said that when recyclable plastic is contaminated by food waste, it is hard to recycle. Recyclable plastic is usually collected, baled and sent overseas, which takes weeks. But if it is contaminated, there may be decomposition and health issues.

During the SEC Annual Conference held at the One Farrer Hotel and Spa, 14 firms and organisations were recognised for their sustainable business practices, as part of the 21st annual Singapore Environmental Achievement Awards.


Seven in 10 Singaporeans unaware of which plastics can be recycled
Adrian Lim Straits Times 30 Aug 18;

SINGAPORE - Non-polystyrene takeaway containers can be recycled after being emptied and rinsed, but styrofoam ones should not be thrown into the blue recycling bins in Singapore.

However, most Singaporeans are not fully aware of such guidelines and which kinds of plastics can or cannot be recycled.

This lack of knowledge is why the bulk of plastic products are disposed of as general waste, a new report by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) has shown.

The Consumer Plastic And Plastic Resource Ecosystem In Singapore report, which was released on Thursday (Aug 30) at the SEC Annual Conference, also showed that four in 10 cited inconvenience as a reason for not recycling.

This was in addition to the seven in 10 who indicated that they did not fully understand what plastics to recycle. More than 20 per cent also said they were not aware of the location of the nearest recycling bins.

To tackle the issues, the SEC, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has spelt out six recommendations to help improve Singapore's plastic recycling rate, which is only at 6 per cent, poorer than other materials like paper and cardboard, at 50 per cent.

They include giving companies that specialise in recycling technology the opportunity to operate in Singapore.

The council also suggested that public sector organisations and NGOs partner major packaging-waste industries - such as food and beverage - to reduce the use of plastic packaging.

Another recommendation is to build a market for recycled plastic through innovation, such as using recycled plastic to support major manufacturing segments in Singapore, like the biomedical and electronics industries.

In a survey of more than 1,000 people online, the non-governmental organisation found that people in Singapore take 820 million plastic bags yearly from supermarkets.

"In Singapore, our plastic ecosystem is mostly linear, which means that plastic goes from producers to consumers, to the waste bin," said the council's executive director Jen Teo.

"This places a strain on our waste management systems as well as uses up an enormous amount of natural resources," she added.

Ms Teo said the study shows that there are already existing technologies to convert plastic to fuel, and even use recycled plastic for 3D printing.

For the report, which was commissioned jointly with Deloitte & Touche Enterprise Risk Services, 1,003 Singaporeans were surveyed from last December to May this year.

Despite the lack of awareness on which plastics can be recycled, the poll found that 45 per cent of respondents wanted more information on the matter, suggesting that they do want to recycle.

Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said that the council's effort to fight plastic waste, and its call for individuals to use one less plastic item a day, are commendable, and he hopes the public will rise to the challenge.

Mr Masagos said the Government is studying the feasibility of extending the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approach to plastic and packaging waste.

The EPR approach will apply to producers of electrical and electronic equipment by 2021, and they will have to ensure their products are collected and recycled or disposed of when they reach the end of their lifespan.

He added that the National Environment Agency also recently launched a research grant call for the sustainable design of plastic materials, with the aim for plastics to be made more reusable, easier to recycle and to extract value from waste plastics.

Mr Emmanual Tay, who runs Eco Innovative, a company which helps clients monitor and analyse their waste data, said that when recyclable plastic is contaminated by food waste, it is difficult to recycle.

Recyclable plastic is usually collected, baled, and sent overseas, in a process which takes weeks. But if it is contaminated, there may be decomposition and health issues, Mr Tay added.

“Plastic collectors in Singapore are specific in the type of plastics they can recycle and they can accept,” he said.

During the SEC Annual Conference, held at the One Farrer Hotel and Spa, 14 companies and organisations were also recognised for their sustainable business practices, as part of the 21st annual Singapore Environmental Achievement Awards.

The top award went to technology firm HP PPS Asia Pacific, which is working with suppliers to replace wood pallets used to ship its products with straw ones. This opens up a market for straw waste and also reduces air pollution from burning unwanted straws, the SEC said.

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Malaysia: TARP wildlife under threat by holidaymakers' illegal fishing

Kristy Inus New Straits Times 30 Aug 18;

KOTA KINABALU: The wildlife at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP) is under serious threat, no thanks to irresponsible tour operators who allow holidaymakers to fish for ‘seafood’.

Marine biologist Scott Mayback said although such activities are illegal, tour companies are openly flouting the law.

It is understood that authorities are receiving between two and three reports on illegal fishing in TARP every week.

Sabah Parks, the statutory body in charge of TARP, had issued multiple summonses to errant tour companies that committed the offence, but to no avail.

TARP is made up of five islands — Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Sulug and Mamutik — and is a famous tourist destination best known for its diving and snorkelling activities.

In an effort to combat illegal fishing in TARP, resort operators, diving companies, Sabah Parks rangers and maritime enforcement personnel have set up a monitoring group.

Mayback, the manager of the Gaya Island Resort Marine Centre (GIRMC), is one of the group’s key members.

“Just yesterday (Aug 29), we spotted a fishing boat anchored near Pulau Gaya.

“We took some videos and photos (of the people onboard fishing). One of them even threatened us,” Mayback told the New Straits Times Press when contacted today.

Mayback lamented that there were too many irresponsible tour operators breaking the rules and too few people conducting monitoring and enforcement work.

He said although there is a plan to establish an honorary rangers programme in TARP, it may take some time to materialise.

“We can safely say there are two or three reports of illegal fishing in TARP every week, and that’s during the day.

“For now, we can’t do anything but take pictures and videos and submit them (to the authorities),” he added.

Mayback said tour companies may have licensed fishing boats and are charging tourists to fish within the park’s boundaries, which is a clear breach of the law.

He also said the tourists, who could be Malaysians or foreigners, normally used nets during the night and fishing rods during the day.

“However, some fishermen and tourists may have problems determining the border and do not realise they are encroaching into TARP.”

Sabah Parks director Dr Jamili Nais, however, said the culprits are well aware of their actions.

“I think they know the boundary and I think they know the law.

“I think they are intentionally breaking the law to make some money.

“And it is always a cat-and-mouse game. When our Sabah Parks rangers are out patrolling, they’re nowhere to be seen. They only go when nobody’s watching,” he told the NSTP when contacted.

Individuals whose fishing vessels are found anchoring within TARP’s restricted waters could be fined RM3,000 and they can also be fined RM500 for every fish they catch.

Sabah cracks down on illegal fishing tours in marine park
stephanie lee The Star 6 Sep 18;

KOTA KINABALU: Six tour operators have been fined for offering fishing tours to tourists inside the protected Tungku Abdul Rahman marine park here.

Sabah Parks assistant director Maipol Sipait said their enforcement team identified the culprits through a special operation dubbed Ops Pancing on Wednesday (Sept 5).

He said the tour operators were fined RM3,000 each.

Fishing within the marine park constituted an offence under the Sabah Parks Enactment and Sabah Parks Regulations, and the tour operators were well aware of this, Maipol said.

In a statement, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Christina Liew said tour operators must comply with the law.

"We do not condone this illegal activity and will not hesitate to charge the operators found breaching rules," she said, adding that severe action will be taken against stubborn operators.

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Malaysia: Land owners to be held responsible for elephant deaths on their land

Olivia Miwil New Straits Times 30 Aug 18;

KOTA KINABALU: No one will be spared from being held liable should elephant killings take place on their land, including at forest reserves in Sabah.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Christina Liew was responding to a report that the state recorded 25 elephant deaths in the first eight months of this year which is higher than in previous years.

The government has offered a reward of RM120,000 to those who can furnish details on the killing of elephants, but to date no one had come forward.

“The (Sabah Wildlife department) director (Augustine Tuuga) has power to prosecute...land owners will be asked to come and explain why elephants die at their land.

“An elephant expert from United States is also coming, a special unit will be formed to help us solve the (elephants) issue,” she said after the 50th anniversary celebration of the ministry here.

Meanwhile, Augustine said there could be many possibilities that lead to the killing of elephants which is most likely due to human-elephant conflict that has been going on for many years.

NSTP had also reported last month that a herd of 30 elephants had wreaked havoc in Telupid which damaged many farms and property.

“Due to the conflict, elephants spend most of the time at plantations and they could be feeding on pesticide and herbicide, or even be more exposed to poachers.

“In recent cases of elephant killings, they were shot but the tusks were still intact or left with the carcass,” he said.

Augustine said none of the 25 elephant deaths this year were brought to court as there is no solid evidence.

The department was still investigating the death of 14 Borneo Pygmy elephants at Gunung Rara forest reserve in Tawau which occurred between Dec 2012 and Jan 2013.

“Nobody wants to come forward as a witness and poachers usually do it (the killing) at night when no one can see them,” he said, adding it was believed there were fewer than 2,000 Borneo pygmy elephants left in the wild.


Elephant deaths: Sabah to go after plantation owners, smallholders
natasha joibi The Star 30 Aug 18;

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is sending a stern warning to landowners that they will be held accountable for the deaths of Borneo pygmy elephants on their property.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew said the government will invoke the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 law against landowners whose properties are found to have snare traps or other trapping devices.

The Deputy Chief Minister said neither smallholders nor big plantation owners will be spared from being investigated under Section 33 of the Act for prohibited methods of hunting.

Liew added that under this particular law, the Sabah Wildlife Department director has the power to prosecute those involved in the deaths of elephants.

“We will ask the landowners to come and explain why elephants were killed on their land.

“We have to turn to this last resort as the killings have been rampant and we feel sorry that these elephants were killed unnecessarily.

“Whatever the motive, the killings have to stop. This law will be enforced with immediate effect, starting today,” she told reporters after attending her ministry's 50th-anniversary celebration here on Thursday (Aug 30).

Liew, who is also Tawau MP, said the operators of forest reserves would also be investigated if elephants were found dead in their area.

“Some people think because the elephants died in forest reserves or on government land, that we would be lenient.

“No, no more. So far we have done everything we can, and we have been advising them. These human-elephant conflicts have been going on long enough.

“Now that the situation has become worse, we have no choice but to invoke the law,” she said.

Recently, WWF-Malaysia urged the government to look into amending the enactment to help counter the worrying number of elephant deaths from snare traps in Sabah.

The organisation suggested the Act be amended to include a strict liability provision for private landowners to be held accountable, and they would have to prove their innocence should an elephant die on their land or if evidence of illegal activities such as snares, hunting platforms and pitfall traps are found in their area.

Through this provision, the burden of proof will be reversed, which would mean that it no longer lies with prosecutors.

Four elephants, including a cow and its calf shot by poachers, have died over the last weekend, with a fifth injured by snare traps in the state's east coast.

The latest deaths bring to 25 the number of elephants killed in the first eight months of this year, with most of the deaths discovered in the past four months.


Pygmy elephant deaths in Borneo prompt Malaysian probe
Reuters New Straits Times 30 Aug 18;

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is investigating a surge in the number of deaths of pygmy elephants, an endangered species found in the tropical rainforests of Borneo, wildlife authorities said on Thursday.

Twenty five pygmy elephants have died in the Malaysian state of Sabah this year, Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga told Reuters.

"This is the highest recorded so far," Augustine said, referring to annual fatalities. Over 100 elephants have died in the last eight years in Sabah.

Conservation group WWF estimates that only around 1,500 elephants are left.

Baby-faced with oversized ears and long tails that drag on the ground, pygmy elephants are found on Borneo island which is shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

Loss of habitat is the biggest threat for the pygmy elephants, with deforestation, logging and rapid expansion of palm oil plantations contributing to the decline in their population. The elephants also fall prey to poachers or traps set up to catch animals.

Authorities have been unable to determine the exact reasons for the higher number of deaths this year, but Augustine said they have noticed elephants spending more time outside of forests and in plantations.

The rich rainforests of Borneo are surrounded by vast palm oil plantations. Palm oil companies in Malaysia and Indonesia, the world's top two producers of the vegetable oil, have been accused of doing little to protect wildlife and their habitat.

The latest reported death in Sabah was on Saturday, when wildlife officers found the slightly decomposed carcass of a female elephant in a plantation, with what they believe was a gunshot wound at its temple.

There have been at least two other deaths by shooting and many others caused by injuries from traps.

Bringing the killers to justice has proven to be difficult, due to the remoteness of the locations and the sheer lack of information and witnesses, Augustine said.

No witnesses have come forward despite a reward offer of 120,000 ringgit ($29,200), he said.

WWF Malaysia called on palm oil companies to take more action.

Four male elephants died from snare injuries in the past two months and all of them were found in plantations bordering forest reserves, WWF said in a statement this week.

"Even more worrisome than the number of elephant deaths are the number of elephants that have died due to strategically placed snare traps within their habitat," the conservation group said. -- REUTERS

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