KUCHING: More than 100 local and international photographers took part in the 8th International Bornean Frog Race here today.
The participants are from Bangladesh, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, Brunei and Malaysia.
They are required to take photographs of amphibian species along the forest trails at Kubah National Park, Matang Wildlife Centre, Samajaya Nature Reserve and Unimas.
Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Art, Culture and Sports Hii Chang Kee said he was glad to see the gathering of conservationists, scientists, resource managers and students to study conservation issues facing the world’s amphibians today.
“This international event is a citizen’s conservation movement which coincides with the annual ‘Save the Frogs Day’, and celebrated via 270 events in over 30 countries worldwide,” Hii said when he launched the race at the Islamic Information Centre here, today.
He added that Kuching is an appropriate venue for the event as it is home to nearly 100 species of amphibians, innumerable species of plants and animals where nature lovers are always welcome to visit Sarawak and study about the rainforest and its habitat.
Meanwhile, Unimas Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Dr Wan Hashim Wan Ibrahim said the event aims to highlight the importance of biodiversity especially to the younger generation including Sarawak’s forest and other natural resources, while focusing on amphibians.
Earlier, the event also saw the launch of the Amphibians of Western Sarawak 2019 Field Guide Book and the Borneo Frog Race 2019 stamps, which is collaboration with Pos Malaysia Setem Ku.
The two-day race is organised by Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conversation (IBEC), Faculty of Resource Science and Technology and Faculty of Creative and Applied Arts of Unimas and Sarawak Forestry Corporation.
It covers talks, a photography workshop, exhibition, documentary screening and live auction. It also includes a junior programme for school children to learn about amphibians.
Winners of the frog photography competition will be announced tomorrow (April 28).
CEO of Sarawak Forestry Corporation Zolkipli Mohamad Aton was among those present.
