Night Walk At MacRitchie Reservoir (06 Dec 2013)
from Beetles@SG BLOG
Birdwatching in Bidadari - Jambu Fruit Dove ( December 6)
from Rojak Librarian
Toddycats The Next Generation! at the 20th anniversary of Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve! from Otterman speaks
WONG HONG MUN, GROUP DIRECTOR, AGRI ESTABLISHMENT REGULATORY GROUP, FOR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AGRI-FOOD & VETERINARY AUTHORITY
Today Online 7 Dec 13;
We thank the contributors of the recent Voices letters on human-monkey conflict. These reflect differing sentiments on how such conflicts could be managed.
While some believe that more direct forms of management, via population control such as culling, should be adopted, others prefer a longer-term approach of education and greater public awareness of how to co-exist with monkeys.
The management of human-animal conflict is a complex issue, with many stakeholders holding differing views. We must acknowledge the differing views and work together to find appropriate, feasible solutions for both the short and longer term.
In managing human-animal conflicts, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority’s (AVA) priority is to ensure that public safety and health are not compromised. Monkeys may carry zoonotic diseases transmissible to humans that are harmful to our health.
We have received feedback on monkey nuisance and aggression. For the latter, the AVA would act immediately to prevent further threats to public safety. For instance, earlier this year, a monkey dislodged glass window panes repeatedly from a school chapel. Fortunately, no one was injured.
In September, a monkey entered a condominium unit and injured an infant. In both cases, the AVA carried out surveillance and targeted control operations upon receiving the feedback.
Residents, too, can help minimise human-monkey conflict by making their premises less attractive to monkeys. Simple, immediate actions such as keeping food items out of sight and practising good refuse management, like disposing of rubbish in bins with secured lids, can be practised.
While residents do their part, the AVA is working with the National Parks Board to study the feasibility of sterilisation as a long-term measure to manage the monkey population.
However, irresponsible feeding by some members of the public remains a problem. It alters the monkeys’ behaviour, resulting in them venturing out of their natural habitats in search of human food sources.
The monkeys rummage through rubbish bins and approach humans boldly, including grabbing plastic bags and other belongings.
The public should refrain from feeding monkeys and keep food away from them. It should be noted that it is an offence to feed monkeys in the nature reserves. Members of the public who have feedback on monkey-related issues may contact the AVA at 1800 476 1600.
Neo Chai Chin Today Online 7 Dec 13;
SINGAPORE — In a new policy that observers say could transform agricultural production, Wilmar International — the world’s biggest palm oil trader — will require its suppliers to stop deforestation and development on peatland, and implement a “no-burn” policy on all their plantations.
It has also pledged to ensure both its own plantations and companies from which it sources will “provide only products that are free from links to deforestation or abuse of human rights and local communities”.
The Singapore-listed firm expects its suppliers to be fully compliant with its new No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation policy by Dec 31, 2015.
Palm oil companies have been accused of destroying rainforests and burning carbon-rich peatlands to clear land for plantations. Some of them came under the spotlight after thick haze blanketed Singapore and parts of Malaysia and Indonesia in June.
A Wilmar spokesperson said some commitments had already been made previously, in line with standards set by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, an industry body.
But, with greater expectations for more responsible sourcing, “this policy is to ensure our supply chain meets stakeholder aspirations and expectations”, said the spokesperson. Wilmar Chief Executive Kuok Khoon Hong said the firm believes the palm oil sector “can provide a sustainable and affordable source of vegetable oil to meet rising global demand” for products produced in a “responsible” manner.
Given its central role in the palm oil industry, the firm’s commitment could “transform agricultural production to a responsible basis”, said Mr Glenn Hurowitz of Climate Advisers, which worked closely with Wilmar to develop the new policy.
On Thursday, Wilmar signed a Memorandum of Understanding with consumer-goods firm Unilever to spur the palm oil industry towards sustainability. Unilever — which buys about 3 per cent of the palm oil produced globally, or about 1.5 million tonnes annually — announced last month that all the palm oil it purchased will be traceable to known sources by the end of next year.
Environmental campaign group Greenpeace said the success of Wilmar’s policy depends on how it is implemented and enforced. Now, it is up to other palm oil traders, such as Cargill, Musim Mas and Sime Darby, to release similar policies, said Bustar Maitar, Head of Greenpeace’s Forest Campaign in Indonesia.
Wilmar said it would provide quarterly public updates in the first year of the policy’s implementation, with regular updates given thereafter.
New Straits Times 7 Dec 13;
WARNING: Four states could face the brunt
A SECOND wave of floods is expected to hit the east coast in the third week of December, the Malaysian Meteorological Department said yesterday.
Its central forecast division director, Muhammad Helmi Abdullah, said there would be a series of heavy rainfall between the third week of December and February, next year.
He said the second wave of floods would likely hit Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and Johor.
The prolonged heavy rainfall, he said, would coincide with the presence of the full moon on Dec 17, which would result in unusually high tides.
"Heavy rainfall is common during the monsoon season, but it is the combination of high tides and strong winds that cause severe flooding in flood prone areas."
He advised the public to be on alert and keep themselves updated with the latest developments to ensure they were prepared.
National Security Council secretary Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab said alerts would be sent out to government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and volunteers to be prepared for the second wave of floods.
"We have to prepare food supplies and other relief items."
Thajudeen said various NGOs and government agencies, including police, Rela and Civil Defence Department, would be notified to prepare the relief items, including dry food.
Meanwhile, Helmi said the second wave of floods would be caused by "monsoon surges" (strong bursts of cold air from Siberia).
"Cold air will flow out of Siberia towards the coastal waters of China before heading towards the peninsula.
"Winds from the Pacific will combine with the northeasterly winds, creating rain clouds which will bring about heavy rainfall."
He said there may be two more widespread flooding episodes in January and February next year due to heavy rainfall.
He said the east coast of Sabah and west and central Sarawak may be affected by the rainfall next year.
On the worsening flood situation every year, he said it was because of "extreme weather" conditions.
"We have not seen notable changes in the amount of rainfall in Malaysia. The more severe thunderstorms and rainfall these days could be due to climate change."
Helmi said the department would issue an advisory on the level of warning (yellow, orange or red) should there be prolonged heavy rainfall.
The yellow alert is to make people aware of the weather condition and to take preventive action.
The orange alert implies that floods are already occurring and to warn those in affected areas to prepare to act if the situation worsens.
The red alert is issued when there is severe weather and major floods.
Helmi added that these warnings were only based on the rainfall pattern and not on the severity of flood conditions.
He said there had been two episodes of heavy rainfall so far.
The first occurred between Nov 18 to 22 and the second ended on Thursday.
"After the first period of heavy rainfall, the river levels rose, leading to a yellow alert in Kelantan and Terengganu.
"The second episode was quite severe because it occurred together with high tides."
He said there were many factors that caused floods.
"The first wave was due to the presence of a new moon, high tides and strong winds that pushed the sea water up to the shores.
"The strong northeasterly monsoon winds over the South China Sea pushed the sea water, causing it to rise to its highest level, covering much of the shore and into the river mouth and this caused the water to overflow."
This, together with high tides, worsened the condition as the water could not flow out into the river and sea, he added.
Flood situation getting worse
The Star 7 Dec 13;
KUALA TERENGGANU: The number of evacuees in the flood-hit states is continuing to rise as the flood situation continues to worsen.
In Terengganu, the number of flood evacuees rose to 7,337 yesterday evening with Dungun registering the biggest increase among the districts.
Up to 4,340 people have been evacuated in Dungun, from 2,668 in the morning. The National Security Council (MKN) portal reported that Kemaman also registered an increase of over 100 evacuees to 2,472.
The number of evacuees dropped in the districts of Marang and Hulu Terengganu to 42 (from 63) in Marang and 483 (844) in Hulu Terengganu.
The portal said the floods in Besut and Setiu districts receded completely and all the evacuees were allowed to return to their homes yesterday.
Three people have been confirmed drowned in Pahang even as the number of flood evacuees began to drop.
The bodies of Pekan Umno committee member Jamali Jani, 45, and his son, Mohd Nazli, 17, were found yesterday after they went missing on Wednesday when they fell into the floodwaters in Sungai Isap.
Mohamed Alif Khalid, 21, drowned on Wednesday while fishing alone at Sungai Kampung Sepial in Kuala Tembeling, Jerantut.
A spokesman of the Pahang police flood operations room said the number of evacuees had dropped to 32,808 from 34,235 in the morning.
He said the evacuees were from eight districts, namely Kuantan, Pekan, Rompin, Maran, Jerantut, Lipis, Temerloh and Bera.
Kuantan district continues to have the highest number of evacuees, at 27,385, who are being housed at 48 relief centres.
The spokesman said Rompin district had 1,167 evacuees at 14 relief centres; Pekan, 3,218 at 18 centres; Maran, 49 at two centres; Jerantut, 472 at 11 centres; Lipis, 33 at two centres; Temerloh, 419 at five centres and Bera, 65 at five centres.
Several stretches of road remain closed, among them Jalan Sungai Lembing-Kuantan at Km28, Jalan Kuantan-Segamat at Km72, Jalan Kuantan-Rompin at Km62 and Jalan Temerloh-Bahau at Km14. —Bernama.
Avila Geraldine New Straits Times 7 Dec 13;
ILLEGAL TRADE: Wildlife study cameras in Sabah catch them in the act
KOTA KINABALU: ILLEGAL hunters are prowling even protected forests in Sabah.
Poachers have been found to be encroaching crucial sites, such as the Crocker Range National Park, Tawau Hills National Park, Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Malua BioBank and Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.
Footage of their activities was caught by camera traps set up at specific locations by the Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) for wildlife study purposes.
Describing the hunting within forest reserves as serious, DGFC director Dr Benoit Goossens stressed on the need for the government and relevant agencies to sit down and tackle the problem.
"It is paramount that the millions of ringgit invested in our protected forests are used for wildlife protection and enforcement against wildlife trade and poaching.
"Shall we wait for another iconic species, such as the Sumatran rhino, to disappear in Sabah before reacting?"
Speaking at the recent Wild Animal Rescue Network (Warn) conference, Goossens said a report by the trade monitoring network, Traffic, revealed that 22,200 pangolins were traded in the state by syndicates within 13 months.
The figure was derived from logbooks seized by the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) from syndicates in 2009.
The report also revealed that eight of 21 shops surveyed in 2010 sold bear bile products, while 10 of 24 shops sold similar products last year.
SWD director Datuk Dr Laurentius Ambu said the department would look into setting up an enforcement unit to tackle wildlife trade and illegal hunters.
"This unit will focus on wildlife trade, illegal hunting and bushmeat trade, using the best tools against wildlife smuggling and poaching.
"It will have a permanent presence in all protected areas in Sabah.
"We are looking for institutions keen on supporting the unit."
More than 100 wildlife experts participated in the two-day conference, organised by SWD and DGFC.
Among the participating countries were India, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Warn is a network of wild animal rescue centres, wildlife law enforcement groups and officials, and animal protection groups in East and Southeast Asia.
The conference was aimed at boosting the capabilities of East and Southeast Asian wildlife rescue centres to rescue and conserve wildlife and providing conservation awareness education for the public, as well as advocating minimum standards practised by wildlife rescue centres.
SWD assistant director Dr Sen Nathan said Warn would bring Asian countries together in matters pertaining to wildlife conservation and assist government authorities in each country to monitor illegal wildlife trade.
Sabah to ensure wildlife safety
The Star 8 Dec 13;
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Wildlife Department will set up an enforcement unit following reports of illegal poaching activities at pristine conservation areas including the Maliau Basin and Tabin Wildlife Reserve.
Department director Datuk Dr Laurentius Ambu said the Wildlife Enforcement Unit would work in a similar way with the Wildlife Rescue Unit, but would focus on wildlife trade, illegal hunting and bush meat trade.
“Our aim is to deploy the best existing tools against wildlife smuggling and poaching and having a permanent presence in all protected areas in Sabah.
“We are looking for institutions interested to support this unit,” he said yesterday.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said Sabah would use all means to stop illegal hunting and the sale of protected animal species’ parts.
“We might seem to have lost many battles, but I can assure you, the buck stops here and the war for wildlife conservation is being fought hard by a very dedicated group of people in Sabah in whom I place all my trust,’’ he added.
At the Fifth East and Southeast Asian Wild Animal Rescue Network (WARN) conference held in Tuaran on Nov 26 and Nov 27, wildlife researchers reported that there was ample evidence of illegal hunting in several forest reserves and national parks in Sabah.
These included iconic areas such as the Crocker Range National Park, Tawau Hills National Park, Maliau Basin Conservation Area and Tabin Wildlife Reserve.
Other affected conservation areas include the Malua Bio Bank and Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.
“This is extremely serious and the state government, NGOs and research institutions need to tackle this issue as quickly as possible if we don’t want to see our wildlife ending up in bowls and as medicinal products,” said wildlife research NGO Danau Girang Field Centre director Dr Benoit Goosens.
Conference delegates were also briefed about recent data from surveys carried out by wildlife trade monitoring network Traffic on pangolin and sun bear bile trade.
“The results were astonishing. Out of 21 shops visited in December 2010 in Kota Kinabalu, eight were selling bear bile products,” Goosens said.
In a survey carried out in Sabah last year, 10 out of 24 shops surveyed were found to be selling sun bear products.
Goosens said a Traffic report published in 2010 on pangolin trade in Sabah, including an analysis on trade syndicate’s logbooks seized in 2009, showed that 22,200 pangolins were traded by the syndicate in 13 months.
14 Dec (Sat): Free evening tour for families at Pasir Ris mangroves
from Adventures with the Naked Hermit Crabs
Pulau Hauntu
from The annotated budak
Nectaring plants of butterflies
from Bird Ecology Study Group
Javan Myna takes a gecko
from Bird Ecology Study Group
Sharon See Channel NewsAsia 5 Dec 13;
SINGAPORE: Experts expect more rain for southern Southeast Asia, and less for northern Southeast Asia from December to February as a result of the northeast monsoon.
This conclusion was reached at an inaugural regional climate forum hosted by Singapore.
Southern Southeast Asia includes Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Northern Southeast Asia covers Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
The ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEAN-COF) was attended by about 40 meteorological experts from Asia, US and Europe.
At the three-day forum, participants discussed plans to improve long-range forecasts for the region, a statement from Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) said.
It added there was also agreement among participants that more scientific research was needed to improve understanding of the predictability of rainfall in the region, as well as the key drivers of the region's climate, such as the El Nino and La Nina phenomena.
The forum was held at the Centre for Climate Research, which is run by Singapore's Meteorological Service.
"This inaugural session of ASEAN-COF brings together expertise from the leading climate modelling and prediction centres around the world, and marks an important milestone in advancing regional capabilities and collaboration in the area of seasonal climate prediction," Ms Wong Chin Ling, director-general of Singapore's Meteorological Service, said.
She added: "Long-range forecasts of rainfall, temperature and other weather parameters have numerous useful applications, such as risk assessment of transboundary smoke haze occurrences caused by regional land and forest fires during the dry season, as well as flooding caused by heavy monsoon rains during the rainy season."
Participants included representatives from the ASEAN countries, international experts from China, Japan, South Korea, USA and Europe as well as representatives from the
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
The meeting was supported by WMO under a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development.
The statement said the climate outlook forum will meet annually in the fourth quarter of every year and will focus on issues including forecasting the Northeast Monsoon season.
Another forum will be held in the second quarter of every year to focus on forecasting the southwest monsoon season.
- CNA/nd
The Star 6 Dec 13
KUALA LUMPUR: The flood situation in the east coast states has worsened with more being evacuated, one death from drowning and two people reported missing in Pahang.
Kemaman in Terengganu, meanwhile, has become virtually an island after being cut off in all directions.
A spokesman for the flood operations room at the Pahang police contingent headquarters said Mohamed Alif Khalid, 21, was found drowned at 4.15pm on Wednesday after he had gone fishing alone at Sungai Kampung Sepial in Kuala Tembeling, Jerantut.
Pekan Umno division committee member Jamali Jani, 45, and his son Megat Mohd Nazli Jamali, 17, are believed to be missing after they fell into the floodwaters in Sungai Isap village at about 7.30pm yesterday.
They were said to be removing some belongings from their submerged house into a fibreglass boat when they fell into the floodwaters. A search operation has been mounted.
In Terengganu, the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) reported that the water level in most of the main rivers in Terengganu this morning was at the danger level.
Kemaman was one of the worst-hit areas with power and roads all cut off.
A road over a tidal gate in Bandar Chukai has sunk and was cut into two due to the rapid flow of floodwaters, while vehicles were seen submerged in many areas.
The flood situation in Kelantan has worsened and more people are being evacuated.
A state flood operations centre spokesman said the affected districts were Kuala Krai, Machang, Pasir Puteh, Tanah Merah and Pasir Mas.
The spokesman also said that the Meteorological Department’s prediction of continuous rain over the next few days was expected to affect more districts.
In Johor, state police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said all district OCPDs were ordered to station mobile police stations near flood relief centres to make it convenient for evacuees to seek help in the event of mishaps.
Meanwhile, 246 electricity substations in Terengganu have ceased operations, up from 141 the previous day, affecting 11,034 consumers as at noon yesterday.
Floods: East coast situation worsening
The Star 6 Dec 13;
KUALA LUMPUR: The flood situation in the east coast of the peninsula has worsened with the number of victims evacuated to the relief centres reaching 42,626 Friday from 37,136 Thursday night.
Pahang was the worst affected during this monsoon season, with 34,235 evacuees still at the relief centres in eight districts, namely Kuantan, Pekan, Rompin, Maran, Jerantut, Lipis, Temerloh and Bera as at 9am.
A spokeman for the flood operations room at the state police contingent headquarters said several main roads were still closed to traffic after they were inundated up to more than a metre, among them at KM28 Jalan Sungai Lembing-Kuantan, KM72 Jalan Kuantan-Segamat and KM62 Jalan Kuantan-Rompin.
"Kuantan still records the highest number of evacuees with 27,391 housed at 48 relief centres," he said.
In Rompin, 2,865 flood victims were at 14 relief centres, Pekan 3,218 at 18 centres, Maran 49 (six), Jerantut 451 (11), Lipis 33 (two), Temerloh 167 (five) and Bera 61 (five).
In Kelantan, the number of flood evacuees in six districts rose to a total of 2,339 at 9am from 2,078, according to the state government's official portal.
In Rantau Panjang, the number of evacuees reached 1,345, and they were housed at 10 relief centres, while in Kuala Krai the 506 evacuees are placed at five relief centres. However, the number was expected to drop with the improving weather.
In Tanah Merah, the 222 evacuees were at 10 relief centres, the 219 in Pasir Puteh at three relief centres and eight in Tumpat at one relief centre.
With improved weather since Thursday, the water levels in several rivers were subsiding, but the water level in Sungai Golok at Rantau Panjang is at 10.34m, above the danger level of nine metres.
No main road has been closed to traffic and no loss of lives reported so far due to the floods while the weather now is clear.
In Terengganu, the number of flood victims remained at 6,052 from 1,559 families since Thursday night.
According to the National Security Council's portal, the affected areas in Terengganu were Kemaman, Dungun, Setiu, Marang and Hulu Terengganu.
As at 8am, Kemaman recorded 2,372 flood evacuees from 595 families, Dungun 2,668 (670 families), Hulu Terengganu 844 (242 families), Setiu 99 (32 families) and Marang 63 (18 families).
The 82 flood relief centres still operating comprise 31 in Kemaman, 29 in Dungun, 13 in Hulu Terengganu and four each in Marang and Setiu. - Bernama
The Star 5 Dec 13;
KUALA LUMPUR: Taiwan’s CPC Corp has shelved its plans for a multi-billion US dollar integrated refining and petrochemical complex in Pengerang, Johor, reports said on Thursday.
CPC unit Kuokuang Petrochemical Technology Company’s move to scrap the project was because it was no longer competitive, Bloomberg quoted a spokesman with CPC.
The spokesman said the US shale gas boom was pushing down cost of petrochemicals production in the US and also due to an oversupply after expanding in China.
In August 2013, Platts reported Kuokuang scrapped plans to set up the complex in Pengerang due to poor project economics.
Platts reported the original plan was to use naphtha as a feedstock to produce ethylene.
However, the rise of shale gas as an alternative would make it too expensive to compete with other projects and Kuokuang would not be able to export the products, Platts reported.
DJ Yap Philippine Daily Inquirer 5 Dec 13;
MANILA, Philippines — Whale sharks are making a comeback in the tourist town of Donsol but it seems their schedule may have changed.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines on Thursday reported an unusual rise in “interactions” with the giant fish in Donsol in the last quarter of 2013, resulting in an increase in the number of tourists.
“For two years now, whale shark sightings in Donsol have been scant during the normal December to May season. In October 2012, however, we noticed they came early. This November, we have been posting more and more interactions,” Donsol boat association president Lambert Avisado said.
“It seems that our Butandings have returned – but that they have changed their schedules,” he said in a WWF-Philippines news release.
For years, Donsol has been identified as a “butanding” hotspot, hosting one of the largest aggregations of whale shark, the world’s largest fish, which feeds mainly on microscopic plankton. Jumps and dips in the number of sharks have dictated the success and failure of tourism, WWF said.
“We saw this drop in numbers once before – about 12 or 13 years ago,” according to Butanding Interaction Officer (BIO) association president Joel Briones.
“Since there were few whale sharks that year, tourist numbers plummeted. Since early November, however, we have recorded almost daily sightings. Word is getting around. Tourists are starting to arrive,” he said.
Historically, Donsol’s whale shark season coincided with “planktonic blooms,” WWF said.
“Each summer, plankton and swarms of tiny shrimp lure the giant filter feeders to linger near the surface – well within range of most skin divers and snorkelers,” it said.
Under normal circumstances, peak season tours promise from four to six assured interactions per trip, prompting Time Magazine to dub Donsol as the “Best Animal Encounter” in Asia in 2004.
“Whale sharks congregate in Donsol because of all the food,” WWF-Philippines Project Manager Raul Burce said.
“Plankton blooms occur when nutrients are discharged by Donsol’s rivers. To ensure that the Bay remains healthy, we must protect Donsol’s rivers,” he said.
WWF said it has been studying the composition and range of food in and around the bay.
The group is also performing computer-assisted whale shark photo identification and has doing satellite tagging since 2008, “to establish the number of sharks visiting Donsol, and to better understand where they go, and when.”
Three hundred eighty (380) whale sharks have been identified in five years of research in Donsol, WWF said.
“The habits of migratory pelagic creatures like whale sharks are naturally dynamic and hard to predict,” Burce said. “Given the volatility of depending on migratory creatures, Donsol and the greater area of the Ticao Pass, must find alternative ways to attract and retain visitors.”
Most famous for its whale sharks, Donsol boasts of other attractions – including afternoon mangrove tours and evening firefly cruises, according to the group.
“We should not solely rely on the whale sharks. Already we’re exploring alternative tourist destinations and are seeking sustainable livelihood programmes,” Donsol Mayor Jo Alcantara-Cruz said. “Whether guests see whale sharks or not, our aim is to have visitors leave our little town with a smile.”
“While still offering whale shark tours, WWF is looking into how Donsol can position itself as a jump-off point to explore Masbate, and the other attractions of the Ticao Pass,” Burce said.
“Tourists will have the best of both worlds – whale sharks, manta rays, firefly and mangrove tours, plus island-hopping. Ticao Pass and Donsol are part of an ecosystem that WWF has decided to invest in, and integrating management maximizes benefits for both areas, and for its people,” he said.
Antara 5 Dec 13;
Pekanbaru, Riau Province (ANTARA News) - The environmental organization Greenpeace pointed out that at least 44 countries have shown support for saving the Sumatran tiger from extinction through a conservation effort.
"We have chosen Indonesia as the host for Tiger Manifesto, this years conservation program," revealed Putri Bulan, a member of Greenpeace, here on Thursday.
Putri had conducted a theatrical rally, using tiger costumes, in front of the Governors office at Pekanbaru City.
Putri and other members of Greenpeace held a banner that read, "Bali Tiger extinct in 1937; Java Tiger in 1980. So, when will the Sumatran Tiger get extinct?"
She noted that the Sumatran tiger has become the moral responsibility of the Indonesians.
"The Tiger Manifesto program is supported by 44 countries and will be held on Dec.15, 2013, in ten regions of Indonesia such as Padang, Pekanbaru, Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Bali, Manokwari, and in another place in Papua," explained Putri.
The Riau WWF noted that the Sumatran tiger population is at 400.
The WWF stated that the population is decreasing due to oil palm and industrial plantations that have been occupying the habitat for the last two years.
The Forestry Affairs Ministry data revealed at least 1.24 million hectares of forests, including two-thirds of the Sumatran Tigers habitat had changed between 2009 and 2011.
The WWF urged the government to decrease deforestation and avoid poaching Sumatran tigers.
The Greenpeace License to Kill noted that the land clearing for oil palm plantations and forest destruction in Tesso Nilo National Park lead to the extinction of the tiger.
(Uu.B019/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Help stop mass balloon release at Punggol on 31 Dec 2013
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