Best of our wild blogs: 13 Feb 18

Invasive mussels on Singapore's northern shores
wild shores of singapore

Swimmer Crabs
Hantu Blog

The most adorable snake in our mangroves!
wild shores of singapore

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NUS study yields valuable insights on underreporting in international wildlife trade

Findings suggest large portions of the markets for illegal and legal wildlife remain unknown, hampering regulation and conservation efforts
National University of Singapore EurekAlert 11 Feb 18;

Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have established several key trends in wildlife trade following an in-depth study on international wildlife trade data. The findings shed light on the market forces driving the movement of wildlife products around the globe, and indicate our understanding of illegal and legal wildlife trade is biased towards certain species and regions of the globe.

The findings also implied that wildlife trade networks may be more complicated than previously thought, undermining enforcement and conservation efforts. Regulatory authorities, such as The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), can leverage this information to improve existing conservation efforts and policies.

Mr William Symes, a PhD student from the Department of Biological Sciences at the NUS Faculty of Science, who led the study, said, "Increasing our understanding of the drivers of international wildlife trade is critical as unsustainable harvesting of wildlife can lead to population decline and the extinction of species. While there is currently a database of legal trade in restricted species, it relies on the submission of annual reports which can be undermined by weak domestic legislation and governance hence we are not getting a complete picture of the industry."

Using a novel gravity-underreporting model, the researchers carried out a comprehensive analysis and comparison of over 370,000 records of wildlife trade between 2004 and 2013 across three groups - mammals, avian and reptiles. The key findings established from the analysis include:

Illegal products entering the USA come predominantly from Canada, Mexico and China

Illegal products entering the USA were less likely to be intercepted if they were coming from Africa, central Asia, Eastern Europe and Pacific Island states suggesting the existence of complex trade networks and the potential for the laundering of illegal products through legal markets

Different drivers and markets exist for mammalian, avian and reptilian trade, suggesting a nuanced approach to regulation and monitoring, which accounts for these differences, is required for effective conservation.

CITES success depends on products considered, and trade in less well studied groups such as orchids, timber or corals are likely to be less well regulated by CITES.

Using the insights generated as a guide, regulatory authorities can allot conservation resources more efficiently. "The trends we have established in this study highlight the need for regulatory bodies to look beyond the existing databases and take into account the uncertainty surrounding our current understanding of wildlife trade in their conservation efforts. For example, capacity building to improve our ability to regulate and monitor trade in less well studied species and in countries with higher levels of corruption are essential if we want to prevent trade driven extinctions globally" explained Assistant Professor Roman Carrasco from the Department of Biological Sciences at the NUS Faculty of Science, and co-author of the study.

The study was published in the scientific journal Biological Conservation in December 2017.

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Malaysia: Sand mining hurting firefly population in Kuala Selangor

The Star 13 Feb 18;

PUTRAJAYA: Selangor needs to be wary of sand mining activities near Kuala Selangor as it is affecting the population of fireflies in the area, said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

He said such activities should be done at least three nautical miles away from the firefly’s habitat.

“Fireflies feed on a certain type of snail that is found on the soil. When there is sand mining or sand stockpiles, it will destroy the snails.

“These will cause the firefly to go extinct because its source of food is affected.

“It is important that we preserve our fireflies, as it is both a tourist attraction and an indicator of the mangrove area’s health,” Dr Wan Junaidi told reporters after launching the International Symposium on Coastal Erosion and Environ­ment 2018.

He was responding to claims by Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Irmohizam Ibrahim that sand mining activities in Kampung Kuantan over the past year had affected the habitat of fireflies, contributing to its dwindling population.

Firefly watching is one of the biggest tourist draws in Kuala Selangor, which is about a 40-minute drive away from Kuala Lumpur.


Selangor urged to do more to protect fire flies in Kuala Selangor
HASHINI KAVISHTRI KANNAN New Straits Times 13 Feb 18;

PUTRAJAYA: Selangor has been urged to be more sensitive in addressing issues surrounding the extinction of its famed fireflies in Kuala Selangor.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the state should understand that sand mining activities in a range of three nautical miles from the insects habitat, could affect the flies, commonly known as lightning bugs.

"Even more, if the sand stockpiles are left with a kilometer of their habitat. This is because the insects would lose their source of food.

"These insects largely feed on a special type of snail which is found on the soil and if the sand stockpile covers the ground, their source of food is definitely disturbed and they would go extinct," he said.

Wan Junaidi was speaking to reporters after the launching of International Symposium on Coastal Erosion and Environment 2018 (ISCEE), here, today.

His comments came in light of the recent revelation of a local Malay daily which reported that sand mining activities in the state, had affected the habitat of the fireflies.

The report said the insects habitat is in the verge of extinction due to the excessive sand mining activities carried out in Kampung Kuantan since last year.

Kuala Selangor member of parliament Datuk Seri Irmohizam was quoted as saying the sand mining activities in the area, had caused the trees there to be destroyed, hence the fireflies' natural habitat is ruined.

Wan Junaidi said there is an important need to preserve the bugs mainly because it is an indicator of the of the country's mangrove health, apart from being a tourist attraction.

"I am not blaming anybody but the state-government should know better on preserving and conserving the nature, including the insects," he added.

He adds the ministry is currently drafting the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) which will take into account all environmental issues including development matters which affects the environment. This will also cover the fireflies and its habitat.

On the Symposium, Ean Junaidi said, the ministry had released an updated National Coastal Erosion Study which found that 15 per cent of Malaysia's coastline had experienced erosion.

In addressing this, he said the government had allocated RM624.5 million in an effort to reduce erosion and its related damages.

"This involves beach nourishment, construction of breakwaters, barriers and revetments.

"These project’s seek to benefit 45.38 km of coastline involving 250,000 people and to protect loss of public property up to RM75 million," Wan Junaidi added.

He said the three-day synposium beginning today, is aimed at providing a platform to share expertise and experience to find the best methods in mitigating coastal erosion.

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Indonesia: Rafflesia Bengkuluensis and Gadutensis in bloom in Bengkulu

Antara 12 Feb 18;

Bengkulu (ANTARA News)- A Rafflesia bengkuluensis and a Rafflesia gadutensis flowers are now in bloom in Bengkulu Province, Sumatra Island.

"We found a Rafflesia bengkuluensis in bloom in its habitat in Penangkulan River basin area," Andi Yan, a member of the Padang Guci Youths` Rare Flower Community, said here, Monday.

The bengkuluensis found in Manau IX village, Kaur District, is expected to be in full bloom on Tuesday (Feb 13).

Rafflesia gadutensis is now in full bloom in Boven Lais protected forest in North Bengkulu District.

"At present, the flower petals are open perfectly," Riki Septian, a member of the North Bengkulu community for rare flower, said.

Many domestic and foreign tourists visited Boven Lais and Bukit Daun protected forests located in North and Central Bengkulu Districts, to enjoy watching the giant flowers in their habitats.

"We have made a path and provided home-stay accommodation for tourists here," he said.

Bengkulu Province has identified at least five Rafflesia flower species, notably Rafflesia arnoldii, Rafflesia bengkuluensis, Rafflesia gadutensis, Rafflesia hasselti and Rafflesia kemumu.

Kaur District is the endemic habitat of Rafflesia bengkuluensis identified by Rafflesia experts from the University of Bengkulu and the University of Kebangsaan Malaysia, in 2005.

Besides Rafflesia bengkulensis, Rafflesia arnoldii also grows in Kaur forest.

reported by Helti M Sipayung
(T.SYS/B/F001/F001)
Editor: Heru Purwanto

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Microplastics pollute most remote and uncharted areas of the ocean

First data ever gathered from extremely remote area of the South Indian Ocean has a surprisingly high volume of plastic particles, say scientists
Sandra Laville The Guardian 12 Feb 18;

Microplastics have been found in some of the most remote and uncharted regions of the oceans raising more concerns over the global scale of plastic pollution.

Samples taken from the middle of the South Indian Ocean – at latitude 45.5 degrees south – show microplastic particles detected at relatively high volumes. Sören Gutekunst, from the Geomar Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel, who analysed the samples, said the data showed 42 particles per cubic metre, which was surprising given the remoteness of the area.

“Data on microplastics has not been taken from this extremely remote area before and what we found was relatively high levels,” he said. “There are places in the ocean which are not being observed and that is why it is so special for us to be doing this. It is amazing that we have the opportunity and this could lead to much further knowledge about what is happening with microplastics in the ocean.”

The samples were gathered by a research vessel taking part in the Volvo round-the-world ocean race as it skirted around the Antarctic exclusion zone. The race takes them through ocean areas so remote they have never been sampled before, allowing Gutekunst and his team to collect new data.

Gutekunst said research on microplastics in the ocean was in its relative infancy. Currently scientists can only account for 1% of the plastic they think is in the ocean.

The data collected during the race showed the highest microplastic levels around Europe’s north Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, where levels range from 180-307 particles/metre cubed. High levels were also recorded off the coast of Cape Town (152 per cubic metre) and the Australian coast (114-115 particles per cubic metre).

More than 8m tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year. Recent research has shown that billions of pieces of plastic are snagged on coral reefs, sending disease rates soaring.

Since you’re here

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Best of our wild blogs: 12 Feb 18

10 Feb (Sat): AQUA TALKS - Recap on The Heroic Journey of Sea Turtles
Celebrating Singapore Shores!

It's fun and easy to guide on Singapore shores!
Celebrating Singapore Shores

Common Birdwing (Troides helena cerberus) @ Pulau Ubin
Monday Morgue

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220 plots under NParks community gardening scheme snapped up in 3 hours

Raffaella Nathan Charles Straits Times 10 Feb 18;

SINGAPORE - Some 470 hobbyist gardeners woke up early on Saturday (Feb 10) in the hope of securing a plot at five parks around Singapore.

Before registration for a popular community gardening programme opened at 9am, queues had already formed at Bedok Town Park, Choa Chu Kang Park, Pasir Ris Park, Sengkang Riverside Park and Yishun Park, said the National Parks Board (NParks).

By noon, all 220 plots up for grabs were taken up.

Said NParks group director for parks Chuah Hock Seong: "All these allotment gardening plots have been fully subscribed."

These plots were part of plans to encourage community gardening.

Under the Edible Horticulture Masterplan announced in November 2017, more than 1,000 allotment gardening plots will be introduced in 11 parks islandwide by 2019.

Last November and December, 400 allotment gardening plots were rolled out in HortPark, Clementi Woods Park, Punggol Park and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. These were fully subscribed as well, said Mr Chuah.

Registration for new allotment gardening plots in Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West and Jurong Lake Gardens West is slated to open by the end of this year.

There will be 300 plots in Jurong Lake Gardens West and 40 in Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West.

The plots are available for individuals to grow edible and ornamental plants, each comprising a raised planter bed measuring 2.5m by 1m.

They can be leased for three years for $57 a year.

Only one person per household is allowed to lease a plot for each lease period.

NParks provides the basics: a raised garden plot at waist level, soil and water. Gardeners simply have to bring their own seeds and tools.

In a pilot allotment scheme in July 2016, 80 allotment plots that were made available in HortPark were quickly snapped up.

The public can find out more at www.nparks.gov.sg/gardening/allotment-gardens

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Malaysia: Large croc spotted at Pantai Lido

OMAR AHMAD New Straits Times 11 Feb 18;

Johor Baru: The sighting of a 6.5 metre crocodile at the Lido Beach area alarmed a group of maintenance workers who were working in the area yesterday.

Muhammad Fitri Dawam, 24, and three other colleagues were installing silt blinds at the Johor border when they spotted the large reptile sunbathing on the sand dunes facing the Sultan Aminah Hospital (HSA).

"Our job requires us to install silt blinds to prevent sand and foreign objects from entering neighbouring waters, once every two weeks. We have to be in the water to do so, but when we spotted the crocodile which was bigger than our boat, we decided it would be best to complete any maintenance work from the safety of our boat."

He said while he reported the reptile's presence to his employer, he had yet to inform other authorities about the crocodile's presence.

According to Muhammad Fitri, several months earlier he had seen a viral post of a crocodile on Pantai Lido but did not believe it because he thought it was edited.

But when he saw the reptle with his own eyes, he recorded video and took several photos of the beast before uploading it to his own Facebook (FB) account.

"I did not think the crocodile video I recorded would go viral and be share by more than 2,500 social site users.

"The 2-minute 51-second video featured a large crocodile slowly getting into the water after becoming aware of our presence.

"I hade no intention other than to remind myself and my co-workers in coastal areas to be careful," he said.

Meanwhile, a spokesman from the Fire and Rescue Department said it had yet to receive any reports or calls regarding the existence of the crocodile.

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Best of our wild blogs: 11 Feb 18

Birdwing Season in Singapore
Butterflies of Singapore

Morning Walk At Windsor Nature Park (10 Feb 2018)
Beetles@SG BLOG

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More green walkways for NParks' City in a Garden vision

Rachel Au-Yong Straits Times 10 Feb 18;

SINGAPORE - Over the course of two weeks, young plants have been growing along a walkway in Bukit Timah Road.

Though they are barely 30cm tall right now, they will eventually flower fully and cover the metal and plastic structure with greenery and flowers.

The walkway is one of 27 covered linkways which the National Parks Board (NParks) has greened.

And it plans to put up trellises on more of such walkways islandwide in the next three to five years.

This will also "improve the walking experience for commuters", NParks' streetscape group director Oh Cheow Sheng told The Straits Times.

The move is part of NParks' City in a Garden vision, which aims to make greenery more pervasive.

Pervasive greenery also mitigates the urban heat island effect, resulting in naturally cooler and more comfortable spaces, Mr Oh said.

In addition, there are ecological benefits as well, where biodiversity-attracting plants have been planted, he added.

Early efforts towards a green Singapore began in the late 1970s, when greenery was incorporated onto concrete walls of developments, guard rails and viaduct columns.

Bougainvillea adorning the sides of pedestrian overhead bridges, a common sight here, is one of the legacies of the initiative.

But since 2015, NParks has extended these efforts to more infrastructure. Low-maintenance climbers and shrubs are planted on roofs of bus shelters, along covered linkways, at MRT stations and on noise barriers.

"This allows more people to experience greenery on a daily basis during their commute," said Mr Oh.

Some examples of the plants used are the garlic vine, which produces clusters of lavender funnel-shaped blooms, and the Dutchman pipe, which produces large, reddish-purple flowers.

These require little water and pruning but flower frequently, Mr Oh said.

NParks has also worked with the Land Transport Authority to successfully pilot low-maintenance green roofs on four bus stops, similar to those in Jalan Ubi and Mandai Road.

Undergraduate Amanda Soh, 23, welcomed the move.

"I find the walkways useful but an eyesore, so putting plants on them would be a good way to help them 'blend in'," she said.

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Indonesia: Robbers steal sea turtle eggs from conservation area

N. Adri The Jakarta Post 10 Feb 18;

A group of robbers broke into a turtle egg hatchery on Sangalaki Island, Berau, East Kalimantan, and took a number of eggs.

“There were five of them and they all had machetes,” Aganto Seno, the head of Berau conservation area said on Saturday.

According to Aganto, the robbers threatened the conservationists with machetes, seized the eggs and escaped by climbing a two-meter high wall that surrounded the hatchery.

Despite efforts to protect turtles, eggs are prone to theft and often sold as food. Turtle eggs are traditionally consumed as a tonic because they are considered to have higher amounts of protein than chicken or duck eggs.

Until 2013, turtle eggs were openly sold in Kalimantan's coastal areas, especially in Banjarmasin and Kotabaru in South Kalimantan, as well as Samarinda and Berau in East Kalimantan.

The effort to conserve turtles in Kalimantan has made Sangalaki in the Derawan Islands a tourist destination. Conservationists focus on hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelis imbricata) and green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), who lay eggs on the beach every night. Conservationists relocate the eggs from the beach to the hatchery so that the baby turtles are protected from hawks, monitor lizards and poachers.

Lipu, a staff member of Berau conservation area, said the number of turtles coming to lay eggs in Sangalaki had decreased significantly in the past few decades.

“In the 1970s, every night there were hundreds of turtles coming to lay eggs. Now, 15 turtles are considered many,” he said. (gis/ahw)

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Indonesia: Four Hectares of Vacant Peatland Catch Fire in Riau

Jakarta Globe 10 Feb 18;

Jakarta. A fire engulfed four hectares of peatland in Pulau Muda, Riau, police said on Friday (09/02).

Adj. Sr. Comr. Guntur Aryo Tedjo, a spokesman for the provincial police, said a team consisting of officials from the Indonesian Military (TNI), local police and Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), as well as local residents and companies, have coordinated efforts to extinguish the fire.

"We are still working to extinguish the fire ... the latest reports is that the rage has dwindled to smoke, but we still have to be aware because there is fire on the ground," Guntur said in Pekanbaru, Riau's capital, according to state-controlled news outlet Antara.

He said the authorities utilized a firefighting helicopter, supplied by a local pulp and paper company, to assist in combating the fire. "In addition to our team on the ground, the extinguishing process involves aerial firefighters to wet the peatland with water."

Guntur added that police are still gathering information and investigating the cause of the incident.

"The burnt peatland is not occupied. We are still investigating the cause of the fire."

He said one suspect in connection with the local peat fires was arrested by the local police in early February.

The police commander urged the public and companies to avoid clearing land by fire, adding that arsonists can face prison sentences of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rp 10 billion ($735,000).

"We hope that no one will use the land by burning as the punishment is heavy. Let’s prevent land fire."

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