We ‘Need to Protect’ Sabah’s Forests

We ‘Need to Protect’ Sabah’s Forests

The natural environment isn’t something “out there”; rather, it’s an integral part of who we are as a species and as a people. That’s why we must stop destroying forests. By protecting natural habitats for other species, we ultimately protect ourselves. This is the gist of an inspiring speech that…

Setting out to Save Sabah’s Clouded Leopards

Setting out to Save Sabah’s Clouded Leopards

In order to save endangered animals across Malaysia, we need action. And in order for that action to work, it needs to be planned comprehensively. That’s why it’s a welcome development that a group of scientists, conservationists and officials came together in Sabah to work out a new action plan for…

The “Bridge to Extinction’ in Sabah has been Cancelled. Hallelujah!

The “Bridge to Extinction’ in Sabah has been Cancelled. Hallelujah!

Ladies and gentlemen, chalk one up for conservationism in Malaysia. And a big one too: The government of Sabah has decided to scrap the construction of a controversial bridge over the Kinabatangan River inside the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. Many locals had been campaigning for the new 250m bridge, insisting it would…

TV presenter Showcases the Heroic work of Sabah’s ‘Wildlife Warriors’

TV presenter Showcases the Heroic work of Sabah’s ‘Wildlife Warriors’

Let Aaron “Bertie” Gekoski take you on a ride … into the forests of Sabah. The award-winning wildlife photographer and television presenter, aka the “shark selfie guy,” is in the Bornean state to headline an online documentary series for Scubazoo, a Sabah-based underwater production company. Called “Borneo Wildlife Warriors,” the series will explore Sabah’s wondrous…

Save Sabah from losing its Biodiversity

Save Sabah from losing its Biodiversity

Sabah is a hotspot of biodiversity, but the state is losing much of that very biodiversity, and fast. In fact, Sabah’s wildlife is already a mere shadow of its former self because of destructive human activities. Many local politicians openly acknowledge that much. Among them is Pang Nyuk Ming, assistant…

Wild Rhinos might, just might, still be Living in Sabah’s Forests

Wild Rhinos might, just might, still be Living in Sabah’s Forests

Last year, in a development that shocked animal lovers, Sumatran rhinos were officially declared extinct in Malaysia. Yet, judging from a footprint that has just been spotted in Sabah’s Danum Valley Conservation Area, a few last specimens of the gentle beasts might still be hiding out in local forests. During a…

An Elephant is Killed after Trampling a man to Death. Was that Fair?

An Elephant is Killed after Trampling a man to Death. Was that Fair?

A wild bull elephant that trampled a middle-aged worker to death at a timber plantation in Tawau, Sabah, is now himself dead. The animal was shot and killed by an official of the Sabah Wildlife Department. Justice done? It depends how you look at it. The department’s director Augustine Tuuga explained…

Sabah’s Bushmeat trade must Stop

Sabah’s Bushmeat trade must Stop

Wild animals face a variety of threats in Sabah from habitat loss to poaching. Sadly, we also need to add the thriving local bushmeat trade to that list. Local conservationists and animal lovers have been engaged in several educational campaigns to try and wean locals off the meat of wild…

Sabah will ‘make a Third of its land’ Totally Protected Areas

Sabah will ‘make a Third of its land’ Totally Protected Areas

Sabah’s government is planning to turn almost a third of the state’s forests into totally protected areas. The total of gazetted areas where no logging or encroachment will be allowed will account for 30% of the state’s land mass. It’s definitely a welcome development, yes, but it could take a…

Lower Kinabatangan fire raises Alarms

Lower Kinabatangan fire raises Alarms

The cloud of smoke billowing over the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Sabah in mid-July looked plenty ominous. For hours on end “blinding smoke enveloped long stretches of the Lower Kinabatangan, which is meant to be Sabah’s prime wildlife watching eco-tourism destination,” reported The Daily Express. It remained uncertain how…

New Zoo is planned for Sabah. Should we be Happy?

New Zoo is planned for Sabah. Should we be Happy?

One of Malaysia’s greatest natural assets is its world-renowned wildlife. That, though, is not always immediately apparent from the way native animals are treated and protected. The country boasts scores of national parks and protected forests, large and small, but much more work is needed to provide truly sage and…