Wildlife Conservation in Malaysia
The world is encountering many types of abuses such as different kinds of pollutions, land development and deforestation. The most significant issue is the fast disappearance of animals in our planet. Today, some of the animals which are facing extinction are the Tasmanian tigers and Dodo birds as they have been wiped out many years ago. Similarly in Malaysia , The World Conservation Union (IUCN) reported that we are also facing the same treat that our wildlife is at the brink of extinction. For examples, tigers, Leatherback turtles and hornbills. Hence, there is the need to address this issue to the public so that all this wildlife can be preserve continuously.
There are several causes of the mass extinction of these animals. The main cause of this problem is the loss of natural habitats. This is due to the constant quest of Malaysia that we are on the route of achieving developing nation and status by 2020. As the population increases, more and more land is needed for space, for farming and to provide raw materials such as timber and minerals. Thus, it has resulted to excessive clearing of land and these have threatened the wildlife mainly by destroying its habitats. For example, forests, jungles and swamps. Many irresponsible activities have been conducted such as logging and deforestation which has seriously threatened the habitat of all the wildlife. The ecosystems are disrupted and cause the loss of habitat whereby none of the public seems to care about it. As time passes, this will definitely leads to loss of food resources for these animals. Then, many problems will arise when the animals are too eager to look for their own food after long period of starvation. They may intrude the village in group and destroy everything. These animals may be killed by the people for self-protection. As a result, animals will come to extinction as their amount is reducing day by day.
Besides that, illegal hunting and poaching are also one of the major causes. Illegal hunters always do the killing and capturing of animals in large sum because it will brings them a lucrative financial profits. Furthermore, there is always a demand among consumers for this exotic species. Consumers consider these animals as their part of their food due to its medicinal values and nutritive values. It is believed that exotic delicacies can maintain personal vitality and also youth. For example, bear's paws porcupines and pangolins. Moreover, there are also many products made from these animal's skins and furs. For instance, crocodiles and snakes. The reason is that some consumers feel that using these products symbolizes status and wealth especially for women as it has high price value and not everyone can afford it. Sometimes, animal's tusks, antlers and teeth are used as ivory ornaments and house decorations such as tigers and reindeers. People believe that it can adjust the fortune of a family and offspring and contain magical properties. Illegal hunters sometime also sell them as prized souvenirs. Other than that, thousands and hundreds of animals are being exported illegally to our neighboring countries like Thailand and Hong Kong . Some of the examples are monitor lizards, pythons and cobras. Besides, poaches often sell wild animals for exotic pet's lovers such as chameleons and iguanas. Therefore, all these hunting and smuggling activities can contribute to wildlife extinction.
Apart from that, lack in education may also lead to extinction of wildlife. They may not know the importance of conserving natural habitat. People from the rural area in Malaysia such as Sabah and Sarawak are mostly depend on hunting and logging to maintain their lifestyle. For example, the natives. Wildlife animals may be their main food resources especially wild boars. Most of them serve as hunters and unsurprisingly some of them are even illegal hunters and poaches. It is not possible to force them to change their lifestyle in a sudden. Thus, education is vital as it can be started when their children are still young. We can conserve the wildlife by preventing these children to follow their parent footsteps. We hope that the native people can change their lifestyle through agriculture knowledge. As for the urban citizens, they are seldom exposed to the natural habitats and much does not show interest about the environmental issues and the importance of conserving the wildlife animals. Thus, they should also be educated because they are the main demanders of these exotic products and foods. This is because when there are demands, people will not stop to supply it and continue killing down those wildlife animals. Moreover, rural citizens have to change their attitude and not become too materialistic and eager to live a luxurious lifestyle. They must not eat exotic delicacies and use animal's products for the sake fashion and status purpose only. They have to know that this kind of attitude is very cruel and selfish as these animals are facing extinction. Thus, education is very important to build up a good morality in conserving the natural habitat and the animals.
Since this issue is getting more critical, several efforts are taken to prevent wildlife extinction. Malaysia has taken a keen interest and cooperates with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in wildlife conservation. Yet, now we have a number of reserve parks for conservation of wildlife and also maintain the natural habitats. For example, National Park covering Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu and Endau Rompin National Park comprise of Johor and Pahang. These parks are instrumental in relocating endangered animals which have lost their natural habitat before that. Another location which situated in eastern Malaysia is the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre which helps to save and nurse those motherless or injured orang utans. Those orang utans are then release back into the wild as soon as recovered. Besides that, there are also Sabah Parks which consist of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park , Pulau Tiga Park and Crocker Range Park that serve as a conservation park which a small amount of conservation fee is required as entrance fee. Thus, everybody can contribute some money to conserve the natural habitat. Furthermore, the turtle sanctuary in Rantau Abang, Terengganu does a commendable effort as a tourist spot and research centre. They also help to protect nestling and the turtles from human intrusion and install sensors to monitor the turtles' movement because they have found out that the amount of turtles are dwindling. Therefore, efforts have to be considered in order to save the wildlife animals.
In addition, government also imposes the laws to prohibit the trading of wildlife animals. Once a person are found guilty, heavy fine and jail sentence are being implemented immediately to these people as to warn the others that they should not follow their wrong path. Despite the fact that, there are also offenders which are not afraid of the punishment before that and repeated similar offences once again. This is a serious matter where it is hard to control their behavior. Thus, heavier sentences such as whipping are conducted to them so that they are able to repent on their own mistake. So, it is the most effective way to deter poaches' activities. Nevertheless, government has to revoke licenses to all restaurants and eateries which are found serving exotic animals or seal the restaurants. Another way to conserve wildlife is to stringent the approval of licenses on firearms for hunting activities according to the Wildlife Act. Moreover, they have to toughest the law on import and export trading to ensure the animals are not smug out of the country easily. As a result, law enforcement can be assumed as the most effective way to curb the existing crimes for now.
Other than that, education is necessary so that the public are aware on the crucial extinction of wildlife animal. Government and NGO sectors have launched many campaigns in wildlife conservation. Travel Malaysia Guide has started its wildlife awareness campaign reaching out to the public. This is the first campaign revolves around the conservation of Malaysia wildlife. We also seek to increase the knowledge of the value of biodiversity, its threats, and actions that help to conserve wildlife in the country. It is to be believed that wildlife conservation all begins with education. Therefore, adults especially parents have to set a good example in conservation of wildlife so that their children can follow the parents' right-doing. Parents can bring along their children to this campaign and let them exposed to this environmental issue. Moreover, Malaysia also involved with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which they cooperate to restrict the trade of wild animals and plants, but they are often difficult to enforce. This is due to there are still many illegal traders that are free and unfettered outside there. In conjunction with World Environment Day, Malaysia Nature Society (MNS) in partnership with AMRO Bank Berhad takes great pleasure in launching a Conservation Fund for the Malaysia community. This fund provides an opportunity for people who want to contribute money and make a difference for the improvement of nature. Now, anybody who is passionate about making a change in areas of biodiversity and wildlife conservation, wetlands and natural habitats stands a chance to do contribute their effort. Besides that, Malaysia Nature Society also has been involved in promoting environmental education. School children can actively involve in their activities and expeditions such as flora and fauna study which conducted with emphasis on the ecosystem in Malaysia . Apart from that, School Nature Club in school level aims to encourage interest, understanding and involvement in various activities and conservation efforts among school-going generation. Hence, wildlife conservation begins with each of us and each effort of us can make a difference.
In conclusion, the public should also play an important role in conservation of wildlife because as long as there are demands from the society, the killing and hunting of animals are difficult to cease. Therefore, the entire people have the responsible to conserve the natural habitats regardless who you are and don't let them be history.
心酸。。绝望。。
