Best of our wild blogs: 24 Sep 10

House Crows fishing
from Bird Ecology Study Group

Birdtanical gardens
from The annotated budak

Damselfly (30) - Libellago Lineata
from Nature Photography - Singapore Odonata

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Learning Forest of tropical trees at the Singapore Botanic Gardens

Hannah Koh Straits Times 24 Sep 10;

GOOD news for nature and tree lovers.

NParks will be expanding the 6 hectare site of primary rain forest in the Singapore Botanic Gardens to include a 9.8 hectare Learning Forest to showcase the best of tropical trees.

Through thematic walks, visitors will be able to see giant trees, trees with interesting forms and barks of various textures, a conservation collection of rare fruit and nut species, and a bamboo garden.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan announced this at the opening of the 'Wealth of the Rain Forest' exhibition at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on Friday morning.

The Learning Forest will also include a new marshland showcasing tropical wetland plant species and aquatic wildlife. When completed, visitors can look forward to an exceptional forest and marshland experience within the city for nature education and nature watching, said Mr Mah.

Mr Mah stressed the importance of rain forests as a ' key defence against global warming' for their natural capacity to store large amounts of carbon, saying that the amount of carbon stored in forests is estimated to be more than the total amount of carbon found in the atmosphere .

NParks also reforests secondary rain forests on top of maintaining existing primary rain forests. Last year, NParks launched the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which is a framework setting out the key strategies to guide efforts in conserving Singapore's biodiversity.

An exhibition on 'Wealth of the Rain Forest' is now on at the Singapore Botanic Gardens till Oct 6 to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity.

Some interesting nuggets about the rain forest:

* Outside of the coral reefs, tropical rain forests hold the planet's largest treasure of biodiversity.

* Forests in Southeast Asia house more than three times the number of flowering plants than those in North America, which has a land area almost seven times larger.

* Quinine, the anti-malaria medication, was extracted from the bark of the Cinchona tree found in the rain forests on the Andes mountains of South America.

*The Gutta-Percha, a relative of the Chiku fruit tree, was discovered by the colonial British in Singapore during the mid-19th century for use to insulate the new invention of submarine telegraphic communications cable from 1866. It is still the preferred non-toxic material for dentists performing root-canal fillings.

The exhibition will also feature with its exquisite images of biodiversity in the rain forest - from rain forest giants like the dipterocarps to healing rain forest plants that have been used in traditional and Western medicine.

Interactive exhibits that will also enhance visitors' experience and appreciation of the forest world.

Catch these at the 'Wealth of the Rain Forest' exhibition. Admission is free for the public and it will be held at the Botany Centre at the Singapore Botanic Gardens from Sept 24 to Oct 6.

NParks to expand primary rainforest area
Saiful Bahri Ismail Channel NewsAsia 24 Sep 10;

SINGAPORE: The National Parks Board (NParks) will be expanding the Singapore Botanic Gardens with a new 9.8 hectares parkland.

Speaking at the launch of the "Wealth of the Rain Forest" exhibition on Friday, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the learning forest area will showcase the best of tropical trees.

There will also be a new marshland showcasing tropical wetland plant species and aquatic wildlife.

Mr Mah added when completed, the learning forest will give visitors an exceptional forest and marshland experience within the city for nature education and nature watching.

Through thematic walks, visitors will get to see giant trees, trees with interesting forms and barks of various textures, a conservation collection of rare fruit and nut species, and a bamboo garden.

The "Wealth of the Rain Forest" exhibition is an indoor display that features the richness of plant life in the rain forest, and will be held until October 6.

-CNA/wk

Exploring the rainforest
Straits Times 25 Sep 10;

Check out a native bamboo house used by semi-nomadic and subsistence farmers in the Tropics, stroll beneath a rainforest canopy, see forest orchids and smell the jungle's fruits and spices - at the Botanic Gardens.

Orchidologist Saw Lwin, 51, was among those who got to do these at the Wealth Of The Rain Forest exhibition, which was opened by Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan yesterday and is on till Oct 6.

In celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity, the exhibition highlights ecosystems and uses of the rainforest, such as for fuel, food and building materials.

Speech by Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development at the launch of the Wealth of the Rainforest exhibition
NParks media release 24 Sep 10;

Mrs Christina Ong

Chairperson, National Parks Board

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen,

1. As we stand amidst the lush greenery of our Singapore Botanic Gardens, it is hard to imagine that what we enjoy here is being deliberately destroyed at an astonishing rate in many countries.

Celebrating Biodiversity

2. As countries along the tropical belt embark on development and urbanisation, one of the casualties is their rainforests, which are being lost at a rate of at least 7 million hectares a year. This is equivalent to about 100 Singapores in one single year! Forests are being converted for agricultural use and urban development. Naturally occurring forest fires, pests and diseases also contribute to the loss.

3. Today, only 36% of all forests in the world are primary forests. This "Wealth of the Rain Forest" exhibition is indeed timely and useful as it helps to create better awareness and appreciation of the incredible richness of life in the rainforest and its value to mankind. The exhibition is also a good preamble to next year's United Nations International Year of Forests.

4. The tropical rainforest is probably Planet Earth's best showcase of biodiversity. Rainforests contain more than half the world's biodiversity species, even though they occupy only 6% of the Earth's land surface. It is quite amazing that Southeast Asia, with about 3 million square kilometres of land area, actually houses more than three times the number of flowering plants than North America, which has a land area almost seven times larger.

5. The "wealth" that tropical rainforests confer is multi-fold. They provide us with sustenance and valuable materials for fabrics, building, fuel, pharmaceutical and medicinal applications. Rainforests also present eco-tourism and recreational opportunities. But more importantly, rainforests are our key defence against global warming as a mega carbon sink, given their natural capacity to store large amounts of carbon.

In fact, the amount of carbon stored in forests is estimated to be more than all the carbon found in the atmosphere[1].

Singapore's Role in Rainforest and Biodiversity Conservation

6. Like many other countries, we are also grappling with the dilemma of development and conservation. We have been able to manage this policy dilemma through judicious land use planning and development over the years. Our nature reserves still contain primary forests. The 280 hectares of primary forests in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve are living laboratories for important ecological and taxonomic research. Even outside of our nature reserves, we have 6 hectares of primary rainforest right in the heart of our city - in fact, right here at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

7. We are among a handful of cities in the world today which still have a primary rainforest in the city. NParks will be expanding this 6 hectare site to include a 9.8 hectare Learning Forest that will showcase the best of tropical trees. Through thematic walks, visitors will get to see giant trees, trees with interesting forms and barks of various textures, a conservation collection of rare fruit and nut species, and a bamboo garden. There will also be a new marshland showcasing tropical wetland plant species and aquatic wildlife. When completed, this extension of the Singapore Botanic Gardens will give visitors an exceptional forest and marshland experience within the city for nature education and nature watching.

8. Besides conserving our remaining primary rainforests, NParks also carries out reforestation activities in our secondary forests to help sustain viable biodiversity populations. A recent example would be the Forest of Giants[2] initiative at Telok Blangah Hill Park.

9. The Singapore Botanic Gardens plays an important role in plant conservation efforts in Singapore and the region. Since its establishment in 1859, the Gardens has worked with scientists worldwide to develop and pool new knowledge of rare and endangered species, both in the wild and in cultivation. Our botanists are exploring the forests in the region to document, research and name plants. Our researchers have pioneered horticultural trials for plant groups and are studying how to grow endangered species.

10. At the national level, NParks has also formulated a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which was launched last year. It is a framework that sets out the key strategies to guide our efforts in conserving Singapore's biodiversity.

11. At the international level, we are working with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity or CBD, to develop a City Biodiversity Index to be endorsed at next month's United Nations CBD Conference of Parties meeting in Nagoya. The Index is a self-assessment tool for cities around the world to evaluate their own biodiversity conservation efforts, which is an important step towards preserving global biodiversity.

Conclusion

12. In conclusion, let us marvel at the diversity and beauty of the rainforest as we walk through the "Wealth of the Rain Forest" exhibition. I hope that you will be motivated to return, together with your families and friends, to explore the rainforest right here at the Gardens.

13. On this note, it gives me great pleasure to open the "Wealth of the Rain Forest" exhibition. Thank you.

[1] Forests store 290 Gigatonnes of carbon (289 tonnes x 109). Source: FAO, 2010

[2] The Forest of Giants initiative was launched by Minister in Apr 2010. With $1mil sponsorship (over 5 years) from Sembawang Corporation, the forest comprises over 600 trees that NParks will plant across 76ha of land area at the Southern Ridges.

Singapore Botanic Gardens celebrates International Year of Biodiversity with launch of "Wealth of the Rainforest" exhibition
NParks media release 24 Sep 10;

24 September 2010 - In celebration of International Year of Biodiversity, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is holding a public exhibition that features the richness of plant life in the rain forest. Held for the first time in the gardens, "Wealth of the Rain Forest" is an indoor display of the many treasures that the forest holds and little known facts, which aim to create awareness and enhance visitors' appreciation towards biodiversity.

Few may realise that outside of the coral reefs, tropical rain forests hold the planet's largest treasure of biodiversity. In addition, forests in Southeast Asia house more than three times the number of flowering plants than those in North America, which has a land area almost seven times larger. These amazing facts and many more will be unveiled in the exhibition, which was declared open by Minister for National Development, Mr Mah Bow Tan, this morning.

Not only does the forest provide pleasure for mankind to enjoy nature for leisure, it also offers many economic opportunities for centuries through the fruit and other foods, fibre used to make fabrics and materials for building, fuel, pharmaceutical and medicinal applications.

"Wealth of the Rain Forest" also reveals interesting facts on how certain rain forest plants have healing properties and how the forests present opportunities for eco-tourism and other forms of recreation. For example, quinine, the anti-malaria medication, was extracted from the bark of the Cinchona tree (Cinchona spp.) found in the forests on the Andes mountains of South America. The Gutta-Percha (Palaquium gutta), a relative of the Chiku fruit tree, was discovered by the colonial British in Singapore during the mid-19th century for use to insulate the new invention of submarine telegraphic communications cable (from 1866) and is still the preferred non-toxic material for dentists performing root-canal fillings.

This educational display will also entertain with its exquisite images of biodiversity in the rain forest - from rain forest giants like the dipterocarps to healing rain forest plants that have been used in traditional and Western medicine. Interactive exhibits will also enhance visitors' experience and appreciation of the forest world.

Dr Wong Wei Har, Director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, said, "We are very excited to have been able to put together this exhibition that allows people in Singapore to have a better understanding of the rain forests and their biodiversity. Through this educational and entertaining exhibition, we hope visitors to the Singapore Botanic Gardens will be able to discover and appreciate the richness of these forests. More importantly, we hope they will be reminded that Singapore is not only rich in biodiversity, but that they can see a primary rainforest right here in the Gardens, just 5 minutes away from busy Orchard Road. "

The exhibition is free for the public and will be held at the Botany Centre at the Singapore Botanic Gardens from 24 September to 6 October 2010.

The event also saw the launch of the Singapore Botanic Gardens 2011 Calendar at the exhibition. The Singapore Botanic Gardens Calendar is a community project by ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, a staunch supporter of this project since 2002. Featuring some of the beautiful wild orchid species native to Singapore, the 2011 calendar is available for sale at Singapore Botanic Gardens from 24 September, and is priced at $12 for a desk calendar and $20 for a wall calendar. All proceeds from the sale of the calendar will go towards the Singapore Botanic Gardens Exhibition Fund, in support of the Garden's public exhibition programme. This programme is used to educate visitors about the appreciation of flora and fauna.

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PUB wins two international water awards

Straits Times 24 Sep 10;

THE national water agency PUB scored another feather in its cap yesterday.

It scooped up two international awards - one in recognition of the Marina Barrage and the second for developing a pioneering water treatment plant that is able to collect and treat water flowing in small estuaries such as canals and streams near the sea.

The biennial Project Innovation Awards, conferred by the International Water Association, recognise innovative excellence in water engineering projects around the world.

Despite the limited availability of land here, more than two thirds of Singapore's land area has been set aside for water catchment space. Most major rivers that flow through the island have been dammed to create 15 reservoirs that provide most of the water supply generated locally.

But till recently, it was not possible to create catchments from the streams and rivulets that flow near the shoreline, due to their relatively small size.

It is to tap this water resource that the Variable Salinity Plant was designed, said the PUB.

The plant can generate a higher yield of treated water by being able to treat surface runoff stored in a canal behind an inflatable rubber weir when rain water is present.

If the canal is dry, it is able to switch to treating sea water.

'By tapping the small rivers and streams near the shoreline as sources of water, the Variable Salinity Plant has the potential to increase the water catchment from 67 per cent to 90 per cent,' said MrChua Soon Guan, PUB's Assistant Chief Executive of Policy.

This is the third international award won by the Marina Barrage, widely considered an engineering feat for its ability to both serve as a water catchment and alleviate flooding, as well as be a focal point for recreational activities.

Together with the Punggol and Serangoon Reservoirs, which will be opened over the next few years, the Marina Reservoir will increase Singapore's water catchment space from half to two-thirds of the country's land area.

It will also boost Singapore's water supply by 10 per cent.

AMRESH GUNASINGHAM

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Two metre sea levels predicted by U.S. coastal geologist

ABC 24 Sep 10;

An American coastal geologist describes rising sea levels is going to be the first major negative impact of global warming.

Described as America's most outspoken coastal geologist Professor Orrin Pilkey assumes sea levels will rise by 2 metres by 2100.

This is far beyond the predictions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change who claim levels will rise to half a metre.

He says more needs to be done to prepare coastal communities from climate change threats.

"If you're going to have development and its close to the beach, make sure the buildings movable."

He also recommends a planned retreat.

"It means you recognise there's rising sea levels and you move things back as required, or you demolish the buildings."

With threats of rising sea levels and more extreme weather events to thrash our coastline, there is a high probability of litigation and claims of compensation, brought on by property owners for damage to their properties.

Professor Jan McDonald, director of the Griffith University Climate Change Response Program says currently there's no policy position in respect of liability for past decisions, and this needs to change.

It's going to cost a lot of the next 50 to 100 years to either fortify and protect existing properties, repair properties that have been damaged or in some case retreat and relocate whole communities.

Rather than focusing on litigation and individual property owners that may want to sue, I would like to see a national conversation on a proper funding mechanism for dealing with these coastal impacts."

She says currently COAG is putting together national planning principles for sea level rise and other coastal impacts, but liability funding mechanisms aren't being discussed."

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Best of our wild blogs: 23 Sep 10

Interesting green ideas
from The Straits Times Blogs by Jessica Cheam

Kusu pilgrimage season: 8 Oct - 5 Nov 2010
from wild shores of singapore

Been to Cyrene: "Unlike any other reef I've seen in Singapore"
from Cyrene Reef Exposed!

There's always a catch...
from The annotated budak

Dragonfly (42) - Orchithemis Pruinans
from Nature Photography - Singapore Odonata

Common Myna altercation over nest ownership
from Bird Ecology Study Group

Dredging and massive reclamation next to Labrador until Apr 2011 from wild shores of singapore and Dredging off Kusu Island continues until Mar 2011.

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Keeping reservoirs litter-free and dealing wtih illegal fishing

Straits Times Forum 23 Sep 10;

PUB, the national water agency, thanks Mr Tan Poh Soon for his letter ('Pandan Reservoir under threat from dorm workers'; Sept 17).

Since 2006, PUB has been opening up reservoirs for more recreational activities such as boating and fishing. This is in line with our efforts to bring people closer to water as part of the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) programme. By encouraging people to enjoy water, it is hoped that they will value water and play a part in protecting this precious resource and keeping it clean.

With the opening of the two new fishing jetties at Pandan Reservoir, it has attracted more people including foreign workers to fish at the reservoir. PUB is aware that there were instances when foreign workers fished outside the designated fishing zones using live baits which is prohibited. As such, PUB has stepped up its regular checks at Pandan Reservoir.

We have also liaised with the nearby foreign workers' dormitory operators to conduct regular talks to help educate the workers not to litter and to fish using only artificial baits at the two designated fishing jetties at Pandan Reservoir.

To further create public awareness and educate the public on keeping the waterways clean, PUB is engaging Sports Fishing Association (Singapore) and Gamefish & Aquatic Rehabilitation Society to hold workshops to share good fishing etiquette such as sports fishing with artificial baits, practising 'clean-up after fishing' and 'catch and release' habits.

PUB encourages members of the public who share the same vision of promoting recreational fishing to volunteer their services with the two organisations.

Tan Nguan Sen
Director, Catchment & Waterways
PUB, the national water agency

Pandan reservoir under threat from dorm workers
Straits Times Forum 23 Sep 10;

TWO fishing jetties have opened at the Pandan Reservoir, yet I have witnessed increased illegal fishing taking place outside the designated spots.

It disturbs me greatly that such activities are carried out by workers from the Penjuru dormitory.

PUB seems to be enforcing the 'No live bait' rule at the designated jetties while fishing continues to take place without restriction and out of control throughout the rest of the reservoir.

The use of live and organic bait by anglers can be seen along the stretch near Penjuru Road. I have seen fishing traps beneath floating platforms outside the Yacht Club.

The Malayan water monitor lizards are also under considerable threat as some anglers deliberately throw fishing lures targeting them. I have seen lizards with artificial lures hooked to their bodies.

Pandan Reservoir is essentially a small artificial water catchment area. Pollution and the ecological threat that results from undesirable activities is cumulative and not reversible. Hence, fishing activities and littering by workers from the nearby dormitory should not be taken lightly.

Despite PUB's repeated assurance of its commitment to tackle the problem of illegal fishing and littering at Pandan Reservoir, it seems that its efforts are neither persistent nor effective enough to bring about any improvement.

Tan Poh Soon

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Converted electric cars hit the road in Singapore

Idea gaining traction but it's a bumpy ride for pioneer firms
Grace Chua Straits Times 23 Sep 10;

FOR five years, a bright orange, single-seat car was the lone electric vehicle plying Singapore's roads.

But since last year, the Corbin Sparrow, registered in 2003 by an American teacher here, has had more company.

There are now at least eight electric vehicles here, going by Land Transport Authority (LTA) statistics: seven motorcycles and scooters and one electric car.

Electric car conversion start-up EV Hub has also obtained approval from LTA to convert a BMW and a goods vehicle.

Electric vehicle use and research seem to be moving ahead.

Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi is scheduled to bring in up to 50 of its i-MiEV cars for test programmes here by the end of the year, while the Energy Market Authority has been searching for a service provider to design, build and run a network of charging stations for such test cars.

Because they do not use fossil fuels, driving such vehicles does not produce the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change.

EV Hub unveiled a snazzy red Porsche and sleek grey BMW - both fully electric - at the launch of the Singapore G1 green vehicle race earlier this month, and also has an electric Renault van. Mr David Chou, 40, managing director of the one-year-old start-up, feels converting existing cars to electric ones would encourage people to adopt the technology.

'It's like doing a heart transplant for a car. You give it a new motor, components and wires, but keep the chassis you love, so it has the same sturdiness, safety features and so on,' he said. Making a new car from scratch, even if it was electric, also produces extra carbon emissions, he added.

It costs more than $50,000 for a basic conversion, which involves swopping the engine and innards with an electric motor system; and up to about $200,000 for a higher-end set-up with more cutting-edge batteries and technology.Those who own these cars have to charge them at home, so they are practical only for those living in landed property.

The firm is working with the National University of Singapore and Singapore Polytechnic to test different kinds of electric motor technology, and train students to test and maintain such vehicles.

Meanwhile, Greenlots, which distributes and installs charging points where people can pay to charge vehicles, has sold three of its E-Max electric scooters since they were launched in April last year.

Its customers are in their late 20s and early 30s, and commute short distances to work, said Greenlots vice-president Khoo Lin Zhuang, 28. But they live on landed property as there are few places to charge the vehicles here. Greenlots has, however, installed a handful of charging stations in places such as the 313@Somerset and Parkway Parade malls.

Such inconvenience, along with uncertainty about funding schemes, is part and parcel of being a pioneer on the electric vehicle scene here, Mr Khoo said.

But he added it was worthwhile: 'We're not one of the big boys, that's why we have to rush out of the gate first.'

But it has been a bumpy ride for other electric vehicle firms.

Mr Clarence Tan of the Green Car Company, with a fleet of five Corbin Sparrow three-wheelers, said no one wanted to buy the cars, which cost about $125,000 each. Reasons included the lack of charging points and limited range, as the car can travel only 30km to 50km on a single charge.

The firm's new plan: wait for certificates of entitlement prices to drop, then put the vehicles on the road and invite advertisers to place ads on the cars.

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Many Singaporeans not aware of World Car-Free Day initiative

Ng Lian Cheong Channel NewsAsia 22 Sep 10;

SINGAPORE : Wednesday marks World Car-Free Day - an initiative aimed at getting people to cycle, walk or take public transport instead of their car.

However, many Singaporeans were not aware of the initiative or its purpose. But Jennifer Oh, a 41-year-old financial consultant, was all for the initiative. She ditched her car and hopped onto her bicycle to get to work on Wednesday.

She may have taken an hour to reach her workplace instead of the usual 20 minutes, but she was glad to have done her part to save the earth.

She hopes more drivers will give way to cyclists.

Jennifer Oh said: "The main thing is that drivers are not very friendly with cyclists. They believe that cyclists are actually in their way. But I think the situation has improved a little bit and I would hope there would be more cycling lanes on the road."

She intends to keep up with the habit and cycle to work at least once a week.

- CNA/al

In Singapore: Hundreds leave cars at home
Goh Chin Lian Straits Times 23 Sep 10;

FINANCIAL adviser Jennifer Oh left her 1.3-litre Fiat Punto at home yesterday morning and cycled to work instead, to mark international Car-Free Day.

She left her four-room flat in Tampines at 6.15am, breezed along the streets of Bedok, Kaki Bukit, MacPherson, Little India and Bras Basah, and reached her office at Fuji Xerox Towers in Tanjong Pagar at about 7.30am.

'I've always thought of cycling at least once a week to work, but I haven't been able to make it,' said Miss Oh, 47, who has driven to work for at least 15 years.

She thinks cycling to work is possible on days when she has no appointments outside the city area. But on some days, she needs to drive to meet clients in places such as Jurong, Sembawang and Yishun.

Miss Oh was one of more than 200 people who signed up with the Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS) to leave their cars at home yesterday. Nine in 10 participants were AAS members.

Document equipment provider Fuji Xerox Singapore also adopted Car-Free Day in a separate campaign, which had more than 200 employees and customers signing up.

Car-Free Day, which began in the 1950s and was marked mainly in the United States, is now observed worldwide on Sept 22, including in China, Austria, Canada and New Zealand.

The campaign was introduced in Singapore by the Singapore Environment Council in 2001, but abandoned two years later when it found that, among other things, motorists did not want to give up their car after spending so much money on it.

The AAS told The Straits Times it revived the campaign this year to promote environmental consciousness.

Miss Oh said yesterday's ride was pleasant. She did not mind that her office does not have shower facilities, and simply brought along a towel to wipe herself.

'I don't really perspire that much,' she added.

She was due to cycle again later in the afternoon, this time to Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in Bishan for a Mid-Autumn Festival celebration.

'It's my little contribution to reducing my carbon footprint,' she said.

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UN puts the bat in the global spotlight

Yahoo News 22 Sep 10;

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) – The United Nations Wednesday launched the "year of the bat," hoping a bit of positive publicity can foster better understanding of the role the mammals play in pollination and dispersal of seeds.

"From insect-eating bats in Europe that provide important pest control to seed-dispersing bats in the tropics that help sustain rainforests, bats deliver vital ecosystem services across a wide range of environments," the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said.

It voiced concern that bat populations have plunged in recent decades due to habitat loss, amid increasing urbanization and epidemics.

"Compared to animals like tigers and elephants, bats receive little positive attention," EUROBATS Executive Secretary Andreas Streit said of the only flying mammals.

"But they are fascinating mammals and play an indispensable role in maintaining our environment."

Of 1,100 bat species, half are endangered due to deforestation and other threats.

"Most people are unaware that bats provide invaluable services to the environment," the UNEP said.

"Fruit agriculture, central to tropical economies, depends to a large extent on the ecological contributions of fruit bats. An estimated 134 plants that yield products used by humans are partially or entirely reliant on bats for seed dispersal or pollination."

'Year of the Bat' gives wings to world's only flying mammals
UNEP 22 Sep 10;

Prague (Czech Republic), 22 September 2010 - They save the farming industry millions of dollars each year, help sustain the world's forests and, in some countries, are a major tourist attraction. Bats - described as 'one of the planet's most misunderstood and persecuted mammals' - are now flying out of the night and into the spotlight for a two-year-long celebration.

Launching today, the UNEP-backed 'Year of the Bat' will promote conservation, research and education on the world's only flying mammals. There will be a special focus on the ecological benefits that bats provide, such as pest control and seed dispersal.

The joint campaign, led by the UN's Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS), will draw attention to the world's 1100 bat species - around half of which are currently at risk.

"Compared to animals like tigers and elephants, bats receive little positive attention," says Andreas Streit, Executive Secretary of EUROBATS. "But they are fascinating mammals and play an indispensable role in maintaining our environment."

From insect-eating bats in Europe that provide important pest control to seed-dispersing bats in the tropics that help sustain rainforests, bats deliver vital ecosystem services across a wide range of environments.

Bat populations in large urban areas can consume up to 30,000 pounds of insects in a single night.

One of most spectacular and unusual tourist attractions in Austin, Texas is the Congress Bridge bat flight from mid-March until November, where over a million Mexican free-tailed bats stream into the sky at dusk on their nightly forage for food. A popular tourist attraction, the spectacular bat flight generates millions of dollars for the city each year.

"When migrating, bats can travel up to 4,000 kilometres in one year," said Elizabeth Mrema, Executive Secretary of CMS. "Africa's greatest mammal migration involves 8 million fruit bats that fly into Zambia from across the continent each year. This flight is an incredible spectacle that scientists are still unravelling."

Besides the Arctic, Antarctic and a few isolated oceanic regions, bats are found everywhere on Earth. Having inhabited the planet for the last 50 million years, bats today make up nearly a quarter of the global mammal population.

More than 1,100 bat species now documented but bat species are still being discovered in places as varied as Madagascar, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Comoros islands.

The Year of the Bat in 2011 will coincide with the United Nations' International Year of Forests. Bat species disperse seeds and aid pollination in temperate and tropical forests, helping to regenerate and sustain almost a third of the Earth's land area. Sustainable forestry management is essential for maintaining healthy bat populations as well as balanced ecosystems in forests and woodland areas.

Bat populations have declined alarmingly in recent decades. Despite intensified conservation efforts, over half of all bats species are now classified by the International Union for Conservation as threatened or near threatened. Habitat loss and destruction, human disturbance at hibernation sites, increasing urbanisation and epidemics such as White-nose Syndrome - which has killed more than half a million bats in the United States since 2006 - are putting bats increasingly in danger.

Bat species throughout the world need continued protection. Most people are unaware that bats provide invaluable services to the environment. Fruit agriculture, central to tropical economies, depends to a large extent on the ecological contributions of fruit bats. An estimated 134 plants that yield products used by humans are partially or entirely reliant on bats for seed dispersal or pollination.

The honorary ambassador for the Year of the Bat is Dr. Merlin Tuttle, a leading ecologist and wildlife photographer and founder of Bat Conservation International.

"Bats rank among our planet's most misunderstood and intensely persecuted mammals because they are active only at night and difficult to observe and understand", says Dr. Tuttle. "Many bats are the primary predators of insects that fly at night, for example, including those that cost farmers and foresters billions of dollars in losses annually. When these bat populations decline, demands for dangerous pesticides grow, as does the cost of growing essential crops like rice, corn and cotton."

As the Year of the Bat campaign brings these issues into focus in 2011, EUROBATS will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats. A newly-adopted extension of the Agreement will expand EUROBATS' influence to 53 species and 62 countries in addition to the European Union. This will cover 14 new countries in Northern Africa and the Middle East.

New research announced at the EUROBATS conference held in Prague on 20 - 22 September has shown that bat species in Europe are the only species to have met the United Nations' 2010 targets for achieving a significant reduction in the rate of ecosystem and species loss. Yet this success does not eliminate the need for bat conservation and awareness-raising.

Many governments and organisations have already indicated their enthusiasm to participate in the Year of the Bat, including European countries ranging from Azerbaijan to the UK, as well as the United States and Cuba. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has also agreed to be a partner for the campaign.

Environmental experts increasingly regard bats as indicators of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. With biodiversity as an integral part of the campaign, the Year of the Bat will encourage people across the world to get involved in bat conservation efforts, so that these fascinating "masters of the night sky" can continue to delight us and perform their invaluable services to the global environment.

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Elderly Malaysian rhino enlisted in breeding attempt

Yahoo News 23 Sep 10;

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) – Malaysian wildlife officials on Borneo island said Thursday they will try to artificially inseminate an elderly female rhinoceros in a bid to revive one of the world's most endangered species.

Gelegub, a Sumatran rhino who at 28-years-old is equivalent to a 70-something grandmother in human terms, will be impregnated with sperm from a virile young male rhino.

"Gelegub is too old to mate normally and the mating ritual of rhinos is quite violent so this would be one of the best ways to try and get her pregnant and give birth to a rhino in captivity," said Sen Nathan, coordinator of the Borneo Rhino Sanctuary where the procedure will be carried out.

Nathan said the only breeding facility in the world that has had any success in producing Sumatran rhino calves in captivity is the Cincinnati Zoo in the United States, which has produced three calves over the last decade.

"Our priority of course is to have natural mating in the first place but at the moment we only have one male rhino in captivity and Gelegub is the only other viable female that we have," he told AFP.

"It is critical that we try and get the rhinos to reproduce as there are only 50 such rhinos in the region and without reproduction, they face imminent extinction."

Nathan said Gelegub will be injected with hormones in November to stimulate the production of eggs, which will be removed and fertilised, hopefully producing viable embryos for implantation.

Spare embryos will be frozen for implantation in surrogates at a later date.

Between 30 to 50 of the Borneo sub-species of the Sumatran rhinos are known to remain in the wild in Borneo -- a vast island shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

It is distinguished from other Sumatran rhinos by its relatively small size, small teeth and distinctively shaped head.

Only 150 to 300 Sumatran rhino are known to exist in the wild, making it one of the world's most endangered species, with only small groups left on Indonesia's Sumatra island, the north of Borneo and peninsular Malaysia.

Rhino experts trying to impregnate old Gelegub
New Straits Times 23 Sep 10;

LAHAD DATU: Gelegub may be an "old girl" at 28 years but this is not stopping wildlife authorities from using the female Sumatran rhinoceros in a daring artificial insemination programme.

A team of scientists will be trying to impregnate her with semen from Kertam at the Borneo Rhino Sanctuary (BRS) here in November.

Gelegub, who cannot mate naturally due to her age, arrived at the sanctuary yesterday from the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Kota Kinabalu.


Sabah Wildlife director Dr Laurentius Ambu said the decision to move Gelegub was made after close consultation with local and foreign experts.

"She is too old for natural mating. Local and foreign experts here believe she would still be able to produce viable eggs which can then be fertilised with semen from Kertam."

He said Gelegub needed to be nearby for experts to carry out the artificial insemination properly.


Gelegub was translocated overland by the department's Wildlife Rescue Unit headed by Lok Kawi Wildlife Park veterinarian Dr Rosa Sipangkui.

BRS programme coordinator Dr Sen Nathan said veterinarians would use the electroejaculation, ovarian stimulation, oocyte recovery and invitro fertilisation methods in the effort.

"We will be working very closely with a team of rhino experts from Leibniz Institute of Zoo and Wildlife Research, Germany."


On risks, Nathan said: "As with any medical procedure there are always risks. We will take critical steps to manage these risks. Gelegub's age is our greatest concern. She is an old girl.

"But with experts here for the procedure, I am sure we will be able to give the rhino the best standard of care possible."

There are believed to be only 50 Sumatran rhinos left in the wild in Borneo.

The state Wildlife Department is also working with the Borneo Rhino Alliance (Bora)), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Leipzig Zoo to increase the rhino population.

The BRS programme is jointly funded by the Sabah government and Yayasan Sime Darby.

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Brueni: Proboscis Monkey Killed In Traffic Accident Near Cleared Mangrove Site

BruDirect 22 Sep 10;

Bandar Seri Begawan - A Proboscis monkey, an endangered species endemic to Borneo island, was killed yesterday by afternoon traffic in Bunut, just kilometres away from a site where a known proboscis habitat was cleared earlier this year to make way fora flood prevention project.

An eyewitness who had been on his way to the capital told The Brunei Times that the long-nosed primate, which at the time was still alive but "seriously injured", was left in the middle of the road near the Bunut Shell filling station.

The eyewitness, who wanted to be known as Steve A, said that by around 2pm, the then limp animal had caused a traffic jam by motorists who were trying to avoid from running over it.

"At first, we thought it was a dog that had been hit because it was quite big and because of its colour," said Steve A, who stopped by the roadside to investigate.

Steve said that a teenager, who was also stuck in the jam with his family, had realised that it was a proboscis monkey and stepped out of the family four-wheel drive vehicle to help.

After signalling for traffic to stop, the young male adolescent lifted the nearly 20kg monkey and carried it to the side of the road.

However, the young Samaritan left the scene soon afterwards as his family had been waiting for him, Steve recalled.

Steve said that he tried to help out by contacting the Museums Department to come and try to save the monkey. He said that he had wanted to take the monkey to the veterinarian himself, but was afraid to do so because of the animal's endangered status.

However, when officials from the department arrived half an hour later from Kota Batu, it was too late.

"After being hit by the car, the monkey was still alive but was having difficulty breathing. Just when the officials were about to arrive, it was shaking and died," Steve said.

The museums officials collected data on the creature before bringing its body with them.

Steve estimated that the monkey was nearly 20kg, and considered a "young adult" of the species, based on his experiences from riverboat tours around Sg Damuan, where the proboscis monkeys, locally known as bengkatan, were often seen in the past.

"It was very big. In a group, that monkey would have been the leader," he remarked.

Normally timid creatures, the long-nosed, pot-bellied primates were known to keep away from human territories despite their habitats being just "15 minutes" away from the city. He recalled a similar incident in the past when another proboscis was killed while trying to cross a road in Lumapas.

"It is very rare to see proboscis monkeys go to busy areas. However there are some speculations that they are looking for food as most of the mangrove trees are being chopped down at around Damuan and Bunut rivers," Steve said.

The mangroves forests along Sg Damuan were cleared last May by the authorities, who saw it as a "necessary" initiative to combat habitual flooding in the nearby villages, which was home to some 30,000 residents.

However, the project caused dissent among the public, many of whom were initially left in the dark as to what was going on. People voiced out that the clearing of the mangroves would drive the endangered primates away, as well as affect the number of tourists who come to see these shy monkeys.

The Public Works Department (PWD) assured the public that the project's impact to the natural habitats were "minimal".

"Unfortunately, the clearance is essential to reduce flooding in the residential areas of Perpindahan Bunut, Bengkurong, Tasek Meradun, Bebatik, Mulaut and Kilanas," said the PWD public relations office in a statement released in May this year.

"The question of the best option incorporated short-term displacement for the proboscis and the tourism they generate, while minimising flooding for 30,000 people," said the department.

The department added that only about one per cent of the 9.5 square kilometres of mangroves would be cleared through the project.

It had also then emphasised that "no proboscis (had) been killed to date and care will be taken to ensure they move on to adjoining mangroves prior to river excavation". -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

[by Ubaidillah Masli]

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Sustainable palm oil body censures Indonesia's PT SMART

Sunanda Creagh Reuters 23 Sep 10;

JAKARTA, Sept 23 (Reuters) - An industry body for sustainable palm oil has made its first public censure of a member, saying Indonesia's PT SMART Tbk breached its principles and may face sanctions, and also ticked off the firm's parent.

SMART last month released an independent audit after Greenpeace alleged SMART bulldozed high conservation value forests and damaged carbon-rich peatlands. The audit gave SMART a mixed score card, highlighting some instances in which Indonesia's environmental laws were breached.

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) -- an industry body of planters, green groups and consumers -- said on its website its grievance panel had written to SMART and Golden Agri censuring the firms for the breaches uncovered by the audit.

SMART is a member of the RSPO but Golden Agri-Resources (GAR) is not.

"In its letter to SMART and GAR, the panel finds there has been serious non-compliance with the RSPO code of conduct, specifically a failure by SMART to work towards implementation and certification of the RSPO principles and criteria," it said.

In particular, RSPO principles on social and environmental impact assessments and peatland management have been infringed, it said.

"Members who have been found to not be in compliance and who continue to be in non-compliance with the RSPO regulations could ultimately face sanctions, including the suspension and, eventually, the termination, of their membership of the RSPO."

The comments may be a blow to SMART's aims to win back big palm oil buyers including Burger King Holdings, Nestle and Unilever, who have said they will stop buying from SMART because of environmental concerns.

The RSPO also urged GAR to stop publicly suggesting it was in the process of obtaining RSPO certification.

"GAR is not a member of the RSPO, nor has the RSPO yet received a membership application from the company. The Panel encourages GAR to submit a full and complete application for membership," the statement said.

SMART said in a statement it would work toward the requirements set by the RSPO, including environmental impact assessments and conservation of deep peatlands.

Enormous amounts of climate-warming gases are released when deep peatlands are disturbed, and the deforestation of Indonesia's extensive tropical forests led the World Bank to name it the world's number three emitter in a 2007 report.

"We take the feedback of our stakeholders very seriously and this applies to the concerns of the RSPO, whom we are in touch with," said Daud Dharsono, President Director of SMART. Golden Agri referred queries to the SMART statement. SMART and Singapore-listed Golden Agri are controlled by the Widjaja family that founded Sinar Mas, a group with interests from plantations to property and finance.

Greenpeace welcomed the RSPO's statement, saying RSPO should follow up on its reprimand by expelling SMART within four weeks if the company does not take action.

"Greenpeace is calling on other companies, like Cargill, to follow Unilever, Nestle and Kraft's lead and cancel its palm oil contracts with Sinar Mas until it stops destroying rainforest and carbon rich peatlands," said Greenpeace activist Bustar Maitar.

(Editing by Neil Chatterjee)

Indonesia's palm oil giant faces industry sanction
Yahoo News 23 Sep 10;

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) – An industry body for sustainable palm oil on Thursday accused Indonesian agricultural giant Sinar Mas of breaching its principles, and warned that it could face expulsion.

Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology (SMART) has been struggling to repair its image after Greenpeace alleged the Indonesian firm was devastating rainforests and habitats for endangered species like orangutans.

The name-and-shame campaign by the environmental group has led several foreign buyers to cancel major contracts, but SMART said last month that an audit it had commissioned had cleared it of the charges.

In a rare public censure, the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) -- an industry group of producers, environmental groups and food companies -- said it had found "serious non-compliance" on the firm's part.

"The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil takes all infringements of its Code of Conduct and Principles and Criteria very seriously," the Kuala Lumpur-based RSPO said in a statement on its website.

"Members who have been found to not be in compliance and who continue to be in non-compliance with the RSPO regulations could ultimately face sanctions, including the suspension and, eventually, the termination of their membership of the RSPO."

The industry group said SMART was found to have failed to "work towards implementation and certification of the RSPO Principles and Criteria".

The RSPO was formed in 2004 to establish stringent social and environmental criteria including a ban on clearing forests in order to plant the crop.

SMART, the Indonesian palm oil unit of its Singapore-listed parent company Golden Agri Resources (GAR) and part of the Sinar Mas agri-industry empire, commissioned the audit in February after Greenpeace made the claims.

The environmental watchdog accuses SMART of widespread forest destruction, including clearing primary forests and peatland.

SMART -- part of the Singapore-listed Sinar Mas agribusiness group -- has said it should not be blamed for the destruction of Borneo's forests and that the allegations are "largely unfounded".

GAR has lost major clients including Unilever, Kraft and Nestle in the resulting furore.

Indonesia is the biggest producer of palm oil, which is used in everything from biscuits to cosmetics, but environmentalists say plantations are driving deforestation blamed for habitat loss and producing greenhouse gases.

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