wildsingapore news

Best of our wild blogs: 23 May 13

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Thu, 23 May 2013 01:10:00 +0000

Shock from the Deep, with otter on Day 3 of the Southern Expedition from Mega Marine Survey of Singapore Poikilospermum suaveolens and birds from Bird Ecology Study Group Random Gallery - Pea Blue from Butterflies of Singapore and Random Gallery - Gram Blue

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Bear bile farms: Folk Remedy Extracted From Captive Bears Stirs Furor in China

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:52:00 +0000

Andrew Jacobs New York Times 21 May 13; CHENGDU, China — It was, at first glance, a rather modest initial public offering by a small Chinese company seeking to expand production of the key ingredient used in traditional remedies said to shrink gallstones, reduce fevers and sooth the aftereffects of excessive drinking. But Guizhentang Pharmaceutical, the country’s largest producer of bear bile extract, apparently overlooked one important factor before submitting its application to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange: China’s increasingly audacious animal rights movement. Guizhentang’s...

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Malaysia: 30pc decline in Malayan sun bear population

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:43:00 +0000

Avila Geraldine New Straits Times 23 May 13; VULNERABLE SPECIES: Loss of suitable habitat and poaching have reduced numbers in the past three decades SANDAKAN: THE population of the Malayan sun bear has declined by 30 per cent in the last three decades due to habitat loss and poaching for parts used in traditional medicine. In Borneo, the smallest of the world's eight bear species is also seeing a drop in numbers following their illegal capture for the pet trade as well as being killed after being wrongly perceived as pests. The sun bears are found throughout mainland Asia,...

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Indonesia: Sumatran elephants run amok in Riau`s oil palm plantation

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:42:00 +0000

Antara 22 May 13; Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA News) - A herd of Sumatran elephants ran amok in an oil palm plantation in Minas, Riau Province, seriously injuring one worker identified by his name as Samuel Rudi Antoni Aritonang. "An elephant lifted my husband by using its trunk. The animal later trampled and kicked him like a ball. It`s really a miracle that he survives," Nurjenti Sidabutar, the victim`s wife, said here on Wednesday. Aritonang, 42, was attacked by the elephants on last Saturday evening when he was guarding the plantation which is located not far from the Riau Elephant...

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Indonesian Government Rejects Green Claims on Aceh Deforestation

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:40:00 +0000

Jakarta Globe 22 May 13; The Forestry Ministry has denied claims by several environmental groups that 1.2 million hectares of protected forest in Aceh will be cleared if the province’s proposed spatial planning draft is approved. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Hadi Daryanto, the ministry’s secretary general said the draft proposed by the administration of Governor Zaini Abdullah only called for a change to the current spatial plan to allow up to 119,000 hectares of currently protected forest to be designated for commercial use. He added that the team evaluating the proposal for...

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China says its legal ivory trade not to blame for poaching

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:42:00 +0000

Sally Huang and Ben Blanchard PlanetArk 22 May 13; China's small traditional trade in carving uses ivory acquired through legal auctions and in no way encourages or worsens the problem of elephant poaching in Africa, a senior Chinese official said on Tuesday. Demand for ivory as an ornamental item is soaring in Asia and especially in China, driven by the rising purchasing power of the region's newly affluent classes as well as growing Chinese investment in Africa and demand for its resources. That has led to an increase in the illegal slaughter of African elephants for their ivory,...

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Best of our wild blogs: 22 May 13

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:04:00 +0000

Where none have gone before on Day 2 of the Southern Expedition from Mega Marine Survey of Singapore Venus Drive 21 May 2013: First sighting of the White Ladybirds! from Coccinellid Chronicles Random Gallery - Pale Grass Blue from Butterflies of Singapore Scientists capture one of the world's rarest big cats on film (photos) from Mongabay.com news by Jeremy Hance

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AVA explains monkey trapping video

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:49:00 +0000

Janice Tai Straits Times 22 May 13; THE Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has responded to a public outcry over a YouTube video showing one of its contractors herding a wild monkey into a cage. Titled "How Singapore handles its wild macaques", the video last night garnered more than 4,000 views. In the video, workers armed with a water gun and grabber are seen dragging the animal into a small cage. Netizens appeared to be disgusted by the images. Ms Marie Teo posted a comment on the site saying: "Many of us are disgusted by this kind of behaviour from our fellow men and do not...

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NGOs denounce Malaysia hydropower meeting

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:43:00 +0000

(AFP) Google News 21 May 13; KUCHING, Malaysia — Three dozen Malaysian NGOs on Tuesday denounced the world hydroelectric industry's decision to hold a conference in a Borneo state where dam projects have uprooted forests and native peoples. The groups, including the Malaysian chapters of Amnesty International and Transparency International, said in a statement the choice of Sarawak state "makes a mockery" of the industry's calls for sustainable development. The International Hydropower Association's (IHA) four-day biennial congress got under way Tuesday in Kuching, capital of...

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Malaysia: Many species of waterbirds thrive along the Seberang Prai and Kedah coastlines

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:31:00 +0000

Natalie Heng The Star 22 May 13; An important bird area gets much-needed attention. SPOTTING a spoon-billed sandpiper was not on the agenda, but it happened. The first sighting in nine years in Penang, one might argue that only someone as bird-crazy as David Bakewell, an environmental consultant and avid birdwatcher, could have spotted it. The criticially endangered spoon-billed sandpiper. One tiny little bird, shuffling rapidly amongst a sea of red-necked stints, and captured with a magnifying telescope mounted on a camera, demonstrates a level of bird watching expertise most...

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Indonesia: Jakarta Passes Sweeping Waste Management Regulation

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:30:00 +0000

Lenny Tristia Tambun Jakarta Globe 21 May 13; A new regulation in Jakarta imposes fines of up to Rp 50 million ($5,120) on illegal dumping, while also implementing stricter mandates on eco-friendly bags, biodegradable packaging, littering and waste management. Unu Nurdin, the head of the Jakarta Cleanliness Office, said the new rule, approved by the Jakarta Legislative Council on Tuesday, mandates that rubbish be put in designated locations and companies manage their waste, especially that which can lead to pollution and environmental degradation. “If residents and companies do not...

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One in 10 grouper species face extinction, with most eaten in HK

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:25:00 +0000

HKU researcher wants law to tighten monitoring of trade after study finds 20 species are at risk Lo Wei South China Morning Post 22 May 13; One in 10 species of grouper face extinction and most are found on restaurant dinner tables in Hong Kong, a global study has found. University of Hong Kong researchers, who led the study, urged the government to protect the threatened species through legislation and tighten monitoring over the grouper trade, of which the city is a major centre. "We as consumers don't really realise the problem because we see plenty of the fish in our restaurants...

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Illegal wildlife products: China 'not key player'

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:00:00 +0000

Official rebuts report, says checks have been stepped up against such trade Ho Ai Li Straits Times 22 May 13; CHINA has lashed out at criticism that it is the main culprit behind the global smuggling of wildlife products, especially elephant tusks or ivory parts, saying it has stepped up checks against the illegal trade. It is "unprofessional and a bit misleading" to say China is the largest consumer of wildlife animal products, said State Forestry Administration deputy director Yin Hong at a press conference yesterday. China's rebuttal comes amid growing calls globally for Beijing...

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U.S. pesticide makers seek answers as bee losses sting agriculture

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:58:00 +0000

Carey Gillam PlanetArk 21 May 13; Monsanto Co is hosting a "Bee Summit." Bayer AG is breaking ground on a "Bee Care Center." And Sygenta AG is funding grants for research into the accelerating demise of honeybees in the United States, where the insects pollinate fruits and vegetables that make up roughly a quarter of the American diet. The agrichemical companies are taking these initiatives at a time when their best-selling pesticides are under fire from environmental and food activists who say the chemicals are killing off millions of bees. The companies say their pesticides are not...

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New book shows the power of ecosystems to protect us

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:50:00 +0000

IUCN 21 May 13; Healthy and well-managed ecosystems reduce the risk of disasters and strengthen our ability to adapt to the effects of climate change, according to a new book launched by the Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR). The role of ecosystems in disaster risk reduction is one of the first volumes to compile latest knowledge and evidence on the links between ecosystems and disasters. It provides case studies from various geographical locations, types of ecosystems and hazards from around the world. The book was co-edited by experts from the United...

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Best of our wild blogs: 21 May 13

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:57:00 +0000

About the Singapore Ladybird Diversity Survey by sgbeetlenut and How Can YOU Help? Three Tours! from a.t.Bukit Brown. Heritage. Habitat. History. New donut nudi on Day 1 of the Southern Expedition from Mega Marine Survey of Singapore Bukit Brown and Bidadari do not a Global Eco-city make from Bird Ecology Study Group Population of two from Life's Indulgences Blue-rumped Parrot eats starfruit (Averrhoa carambola) from Bird Ecology Study Group Beautiful Blue-Eared Kingfisher from Photojournalist Top Indonesian official calls out misinformation in environmental...

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Fishing with long nets endangers wildlife, people

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:47:00 +0000

Straits Times Forum 21 May 13; MANY people have taken up recreational fishing as a hobby. Using a fishing line seems to be the top choice of anglers. This is followed by using long nets that are stretched across the width of a river or canal - anything that gets caught in the net gets hauled out of the water. However, this poses a danger to certain creatures such as monitor lizards and terrapins, which may get caught in these nets. Kayaks and motorised boats that ply the area may also get ensnared. I once saw the propeller of a boat getting caught in a long net at a canal in...

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Malaysia: Malacca tops in Hawksbill turtle landings

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:34:00 +0000

Jason Gerald John New Straits Times 20 May 13; CONSERVATION SUCCESS: Padang Kemunting centre hatches 25,300 turtles for release to habitat ALOR GAJAH: A total of 25,264 Hawksbill turtles have been successfully hatched at the Turtle Conservation and Information Centre in Padang Kemunting here last year, as part of efforts to save the species from extinction. Agriculture and Agro-based Industry ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Hassim Abdullah said the number made up 60.22 per cent of the 41,952 Hawksbill turtle eggs incubated at the centre. Last year, some 353 turtle landings...

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Malaysia Hydropower Meeting to Open Amid Controversy

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:32:00 +0000

Agence France-Presse Jakarta Globe 20 May 13; Kuching. The world hydroelectric industry’s decision to meet in a Malaysian state where dams have uprooted rainforests and native peoples is drawing bitter fire from environmental and tribal groups. The International Hydropower Association’s four-day biennial meeting to push “sustainable hydropower” opens on Tuesday in Kuching, the languid capital of Sarawak state on Borneo island, and a highly contentious choice. Sarawak’s powerful boss is widely accused of felling huge swathes of rainforest in a much-criticized dam-building...

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Malaysia: 'Less than 1pc of forests illegally logged'

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:20:00 +0000

New Straits Times 20 May 13; IPOH: The problem of illegal logging in the peninsula is under control, said Forestry Department director-general (peninsula) Professor Datuk Dr Abd Rahman Abd Rahim. Abd Rahman said that of the 5.6 million hectares of forests in the country, less than one per cent was being illegally logged. He said people tend to push the blame of illegal logging on the lack of enforcement by the department. "Logging that is being carried out in government reserve land and privately owned land are not under our jurisdiction." Asked on complaints of illegal logging...

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Why We Need to Put the Fish Back Into Fisheries

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:09:00 +0000

Science Daily 19 May 13; May 19, 2013 — Overfishing has reduced fish populations and biodiversity across much of the world's oceans. In response, fisheries are increasingly reliant on a handful of highly valuable shellfish. However, new research by the University of York shows this approach to be extremely risky. The research, published today in the journal Fish and Fisheries, shows that traditional fisheries targeting large predators such as cod and haddock, have declined over the past hundred years. In their place, catches of shellfish such as prawns, scallops and lobsters have...

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Best of our wild blogs: 20 May 13

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:21:00 +0000

Latest Green Jobs in Singapore [13 - 19 May 2013] from Green Business Times Biodiversity for kids during the June school holidays from Celebrating Singapore's BioDiversity! Butterflies Feeding on Ripened Melastoma Fruits from Beauty of Fauna and Flora in Nature Random Gallery - Two Sergeants from Butterflies of Singapore Giant Top Shell from Monday Morgue

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A transportation plan that crosses the line

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:10:00 +0000

Vinita Ramani Mohan Today Online 20 May 13; I continue to read with dismay the ongoing plans to develop the Cross Island Line, which will cause habitat damage in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. As one who is interested in regional development issues, I have travelled widely in South-east Asia. Citizens I have met from large, densely populated cities such as Bangkok, Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta seem somewhat resigned to the pollution, traffic and poor urban planning in their cities. But they are proud of their respective country and its vast hinterlands: Beaches,...

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We are gardeners, not possessors

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:09:00 +0000

Kenneth Chia Today Online 19 May 13; Besides the chopping down of trees every now and then for various reasons, I am concerned with the way trees are trimmed periodically in Singapore. I use the word “trimmed”, although not only are small branches lopped off, but major ones are, too. I have observed this overkill over the decades. Trees that were violently trimmed became stunted in growth after that, growing at a fraction of their former rate. Apart from that, residents are deprived of much of the shade provided by the trees’ former luxuriant foliage. Trees are living things, which...

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Changi Airport steps up in the battle against stray wildlife

noreply@blogger.com (ria tan) — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:08:00 +0000

Dylan Loh Channel NewsAsia 19 May 13; SINGAPORE: A truck that "thinks its a bird" -- Changi Airport's weapon of choice for scattering winged wildlife off its premises. A loudhailer, which emits birds' distress calls, is mounted above the truck -- helping chase away stray wildlife. Singapore's air hub is finding innovative ways to keep stray animals from crashing into planes. Four patrols are done daily from dawn to dusk to scour the airport for stray wildlife. More patrols are added during peak seasons when birds migrate, typically towards the year-end. Afzal Laily, a patrol...

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