Meet the Pangolin: A Sign of the Times in Malaysia

Meet the Pangolin: A Sign of the Times in Malaysia

Covered in scales, feasting on ants, and hanging from trees like a living pine cone, the Pangolin is without a doubt one of the world’s most unique mammals.  Ranging from 12 to 39 inches in length, these housecat-sized creatures are actually the only known mammal in the world to have…

Southeast Asia to Unify Against Environmental Crime

Southeast Asia to Unify Against Environmental Crime

In what could be a huge step in protecting the environment, the group of Southeast Asian nations known as ASEAN is reportedly getting close to qualifying environmental offenses as transnational organized crime. The revised definition would be fitting, as environmental crime in Southeast Asia is often a highly organized affair. …

Threats to Bornean Sun Bear Evidence Illegal Poaching in Malaysia

Threats to Bornean Sun Bear Evidence Illegal Poaching in Malaysia

The Malayan sun bear is a little-known species.  The smallest bear in the world, it is a playful, honey-loving tree-climber that once roamed much of Southeast Asia.  Now, though, it lives mostly in Indonesia and Malaysia, where it is threatened by deforestation and poaching. Thanks to these two threats, the…

Endangered Manta Rays Discovered in Malaysia

Endangered Manta Rays Discovered in Malaysia

A sizeable population of giant manta rays has been discovered in Malaysia, inciting diver interest and prompting cries for the protection of these endangered species. In December of last year, a diving expedition set out for Pulau Perak, a remote island off the eastern coast of peninsular Malaysia.  The divers…

Wild Sumatran Rhinoceros Declared Extinct in Malaysia

Wild Sumatran Rhinoceros Declared Extinct in Malaysia

One of the most endangered species in Malaysia, the Sumatran rhinoceros, was recently pronounced to be extinct in the Malaysian wild. Though it once roamed across Southeast Asia, the Sumatran rhinoceros is now one of the rarest rhino species. According to an August report, the remaining population of wild specimens…

Malaysian Government Uses Social Media to Crack Down on Illegal Wildlife Trade

Malaysian Government Uses Social Media to Crack Down on Illegal Wildlife Trade

Four men were recently arrested – and the two juvenile Orangutans they were trying to sell were saved – thanks to a social media program the Malaysian Government is using to ambush wildlife traders. Code-named Ops Taring III, the social media crackdown is showing promise. In March, seven other wildlife traffickers were caught. They…

Malaysia Cracks Down on Illegal Poaching and Environmental Offenses

Malaysia Cracks Down on Illegal Poaching and Environmental Offenses

In a recent workshop entitled ‘Environmental Protection in Sarawak – The Way Forward,” Malaysian Chief Judge Richard Malajum urged the public to act more considerately towards the environment, and explained that the purpose of this and following workshops would be to crack down on environmental offenses. The workshop followed a…