Augustine (third left) and Mark Louis (second left) after the MoU signing at the Sabah Wildlife Department office today.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) today announced that Gua Gomantong, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Lokkawi Wildlife Park would be opened beginning April 1.
In another development, the Department also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Animal Projects & Environmental Education Sdn Bhd (APE Malaysia) at Wisma Muis.
The MoU will see APE Malaysia continue working together with SWD on reforestation projects within the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (LKWS) and in wildlife welfare projects at wildlife centers in Sabah.
The reforestation project aims to reconnect the fragmented forest areas to create safe passageways for wildlife like the Bornean pygmy elephants and orangutans. The project will plant 30 species of native trees in four lots within the LKWS in the next five years.
Director of Sabah Wildlife Department, Augustine Tuuga was present together with Deputy Director, Jum Rafiah Abd Sukor for the signing. APE Malaysia was represented by its Project Director, Mark Louis Benedict and Project Manager, Sumira Muis.
Augustine said this collaboration is a good example of private and state partnership working together in conservation efforts.
He added that “by working together in reforestation and wildlife welfare projects, it shows that conservation efforts are not just the responsibility of the state, any party can do their part and we all have the responsibility to work together to help save and conserve our environment.”
“The Covid-19 pandemic brings extra challenges for every party in conservation effort, so partnerships like this will ensure that our wildlife continue to benefit during this difficult time,” said Augustine.
APE Malaysia Project Director, Mark Louis Benedict said that they are happy to be given the opportunity to work together with SWD in these projects as we believe in helping the wildlife in Sabah both in their wild habitat by planting trees and in wildlife centers through the use of enrichment activities.
APE Malaysia had previously conducted a few enrichment projects at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, working with the team to improve wildlife welfare standards and foraging friendships between Malaysian and international zookeepers.
The post Cave, orangutan centre, wildlife park to open April 1 appeared first on Borneo Post Online.