KUCHING: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Orangutan Project Sdn Bhd (OPSB) to renew their long-term collaboration.
SFC stated that the MOU is said to promote conservation, ecotourism and a volunteer programme at Matang Wildlife Centre.
Over the 15 years of collaboration, there had been several successful collaborative projects such as the release of five pangolins and monitoring them via radio-collars. An 80 percent survivorship of these released animals were observed over a seven months’ period.
“We have also released over 100 seized slow lorises, of which 20 percent were monitored six months via radio-collars. The animals were seized from illegal traders, collectors, hunters as well as Sarawakians who surrendered these animals after realising that they were totally protected,” they said.
SFC chief executive officer and controller of Wild Life Zolkipli Mohamad Aton represented SFC while OPSB Founder and chief executive officer Leo Biddle represented OPSB.
Zolkipli mentioned that the state aspires to improve its wildlife conservation programmes as it is the guardian of protected areas and wildlife in Sarawak.
“SFC will actively engage with OPSB and specialists in their network to enhance conservation and protection of wildlife,” said Zolkipli during the ceremony.
Biddle said that it was heartening to know of SFC’s plan for conserving wildlife and their habitats, and also the concern over the welfare of captive wildlife.
“We are most happy with the MOU as OPSB is able to plan ahead with our work at Matang Wildlife Centre, despite the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.
