Showing posts with label bird. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bird. Show all posts
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Mist Nets Horror
Two mist nets were found within PBA's water intake & pumps along Muda River. Looking at the bird carcasses, the nets should have been there for many months. How can such illegal trapping get away without anyone (eg staff working in PBA & JPS) noticing the mist nets?
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Farmers fear invasion of the pipit
Wednesday March 3, 2010
thestar
KENINGAU: Farmers in this Sabah interior district are bracing for an invasion of birds – the padi field pipit (Anthus rufulus).
They fear losing half of their crop due to be harvested in about a week.
The pipit are known to be voracious birds and usually make their appearance in the afternoon.
“I just feel so helpless when these little birds swoop down on my padi crop,” said farmer Alexius Pitan, 52, as he watched over his 1.2ha field at Kampung Sook Station, some 200km from Kota Kinabalu.
He said the birds appeared to be undeterred by the scarecrows he had fashioned from sticks and dried grass.
Alexius and dozens of other padi farmers have begun fashioning scarecrows from their families’ clothing – including tee-shirts and shorts – as well as putting up plastic bags and cardboard pieces.
“We are doing everything to drive away the birds. Hopefully about 60% of my padi crop will survive,” he added.
Alexius said he noticed an increasing number of the birds in his fields with more forests around Keningau being cleared in recent years for oil palm plantations.
“I am not sure if the land clearing has anything to do with the presence of these birds, but all I know is that they are eating up so much of my hard work,” he sighed.
thestar
KENINGAU: Farmers in this Sabah interior district are bracing for an invasion of birds – the padi field pipit (Anthus rufulus).
They fear losing half of their crop due to be harvested in about a week.
The pipit are known to be voracious birds and usually make their appearance in the afternoon.
“I just feel so helpless when these little birds swoop down on my padi crop,” said farmer Alexius Pitan, 52, as he watched over his 1.2ha field at Kampung Sook Station, some 200km from Kota Kinabalu.
He said the birds appeared to be undeterred by the scarecrows he had fashioned from sticks and dried grass.
Alexius and dozens of other padi farmers have begun fashioning scarecrows from their families’ clothing – including tee-shirts and shorts – as well as putting up plastic bags and cardboard pieces.
“We are doing everything to drive away the birds. Hopefully about 60% of my padi crop will survive,” he added.
Alexius said he noticed an increasing number of the birds in his fields with more forests around Keningau being cleared in recent years for oil palm plantations.
“I am not sure if the land clearing has anything to do with the presence of these birds, but all I know is that they are eating up so much of my hard work,” he sighed.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Licensing Issues Retarding Swiftlet Nest Industry
December 11, 2009
Licensing Issues Retarding Swiftlet Nest Industry
Bernama
By Syed Azwan Syed Ali
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- The edible swiftlet nest industry in this country is a highly lucrative one with the annual turnover reaching RM1 billion.
But a critical issue pertaining to the licensing of the swiftlet farms within buildings located in towns may retard the industry if no solution is found.
Local authorities are against the idea of having swiftlet farms in towns as they can cause nuisance to the public and pollute the environment.
But places like Sarawak, though the swiftlet farms are forbidden in towns, still has to find a solution for more than 1,500 illegal swiftlet farms. But any attempt to eradicate the illegal swiftlet farms will bring negative impact to the industry.
So what is the best option in solving this problem to ensure that the effort to boost the industry is not derailed?
LICENSING ISSUES
The licensing issue cropped up in October last year after the authorities conducted an exercise to clear up illegal swiftlet farms in Mukah town.
The move by the authorities has put many swiftlet farm owners in a quandary and raised many questions on the way the exercise was carried out.
During the exercise the swiftlet chicks protected under the Wildlife Act 1972 were left to die in the nests that were confiscated by the authorities. Those annoyed with the move even posted the video on the chicks' fate on youtube.
The action taken by the local authorities has certainly ruffled some feathers, especially the swiftlet farmers.
Thus the Swiftlet Merchant Association in Mukah requested Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to help find a solution. The same request from the counterparts in Sibu and Sarikei followed suit.
The bottom line is that the farm owners wanted to continue operations in the existing premises with most of them being shoptlots.
But the local authorities are steadfast with their stand.
THERE HAS TO BE SOME CONTROL
Despite the edible swiftlet nest's huge commercial potential, Sarawak's 1998 Wildlife Protection Ordinance prohibits the species from being bred in other than its natural habitat like the caves.
And this has made things difficult for the industry.
The director of Sarawak's Forestry Department who is also the Wildlife Controller for Sarawak Datuk Len Talif Salleh stressed that the state government wanted the industry to be developed in a controlled manner in accordance with the existing laws.
Len Talif pointed out about 100 licenses have been approved from the 600 to 700 applications received since May.
"Most of the licenses approved are for the "old-players" who conform to the prerequisites," said Len Talif when contacted by Bernama in Kuching.
"The rest were rejected as their proposed swiftlet farms are in towns," he said adding that enforcement measures will be taken against illegal swiftlet farms.
The licenses were issued for swiftlet farming in Mukah, Bintulu, Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Sarikei with all of the swiftlet farms in agricultural areas.
POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Nonetheless, the industry views the issuance of the licence as a positive development when looking at the situation prior to May this year where only two of the more than 1,500 swiftlet farms in the state were licensed.
Swiftlet farming also needs approval from agencies like the Land and Survey Department, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and the local authorities.
And the good news is that the state government is to build three swiftlet eco-parks in Mukah, Sarikei and Bintulu respectively with lots to be sold and rented out to those who are keen.
However, many are sceptical that the bird will nest at the eco-park and feared the bureaucratic hassle.
EXEMPTIONS IN TOWNS?
Thus this scepticism has prompted a big number of swiftlet farm owners to seek exemptions and continue with their activities in the existing premises in towns.
The swiftlet nest entrepreneurs also hope to adopt guidelines like the Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) for the swiftlets, so that they will be allowed to ply their trade within towns as done by their counterparts in Peninsula.
"We will follow this guideline," noted the protem chairman for the Sarikei Swiftlet Nest Merchants' Association Wong Hua Ting, which is in opposition to the state government's stand that the swiflet farming should only be carried out at agricultural areas or the proposed eco-park.
Swiftlet farming in populated areas could create pandemonium among the public especially when there are diseases involving this species of bird.
The Veterinary Services Department (VSD) has conducted more than 5,000 tests on the birds and have confirmed that the swiflet are free from bird flu and Newcastle disease.
PREMISES MUST BE REGISTERED WITH JPV
The VSD is also preparing the guidelines on swiftlet farming and the draft proposals will be forwarded to the Steering Committee for the National Swiftlet Industry on Dec 14.
The guideline known as "1GP" makes it compulsory for swiftlet breeding premises to be registered with VSD.
However before the guideline could be adopted by the local authorities, it would be brought to the attention of the National Council on Local Government chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, which is expected to meet March next year.
"The guideline will set the standard for all local governments. It will help traders and swiftlet farm owners to venture into this field in a more organised manner," said the chairman of the Federation of Swiftlet Nest Merchants' Associations Datuk Beh Heng Seong.
NO MORE CONFISCATION OF NESTS
Regarding the guideline, Len Talif noted that the Sarawak state government is ready to adopt the guideline as long as it does not contradict with the state ordinance which would be continuously enforced.
He also gave assurance that in future the nests would not be confiscated and instead a compound will be issued and only the equipment used will be confiscated.
This development is seen as a positive indication pertaining to enforcement but this does not mean it has opened the doors for all to start swiftlet farms without authorisation.
The government wants to see 100,000 swiftlet farms producing 500 tonnes of the bird's nest annually worth RM5 billion by 2020.
The swiftlet nest from this country is of high quality and is highly sought after in China and Arab with the prices fetching up to RM10,000 per kilogram.
Thus the solution for this licensing issue is highly pertinent and all parties involved should work hand in hand to ensure that the edible bird nest industry remains vibrant and the nation stands at par with Indonesia and Thailand, the leading producers.
-- BERNAMA
Licensing Issues Retarding Swiftlet Nest Industry
Bernama
By Syed Azwan Syed Ali
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- The edible swiftlet nest industry in this country is a highly lucrative one with the annual turnover reaching RM1 billion.
But a critical issue pertaining to the licensing of the swiftlet farms within buildings located in towns may retard the industry if no solution is found.
Local authorities are against the idea of having swiftlet farms in towns as they can cause nuisance to the public and pollute the environment.
But places like Sarawak, though the swiftlet farms are forbidden in towns, still has to find a solution for more than 1,500 illegal swiftlet farms. But any attempt to eradicate the illegal swiftlet farms will bring negative impact to the industry.
So what is the best option in solving this problem to ensure that the effort to boost the industry is not derailed?
LICENSING ISSUES
The licensing issue cropped up in October last year after the authorities conducted an exercise to clear up illegal swiftlet farms in Mukah town.
The move by the authorities has put many swiftlet farm owners in a quandary and raised many questions on the way the exercise was carried out.
During the exercise the swiftlet chicks protected under the Wildlife Act 1972 were left to die in the nests that were confiscated by the authorities. Those annoyed with the move even posted the video on the chicks' fate on youtube.
The action taken by the local authorities has certainly ruffled some feathers, especially the swiftlet farmers.
Thus the Swiftlet Merchant Association in Mukah requested Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to help find a solution. The same request from the counterparts in Sibu and Sarikei followed suit.
The bottom line is that the farm owners wanted to continue operations in the existing premises with most of them being shoptlots.
But the local authorities are steadfast with their stand.
THERE HAS TO BE SOME CONTROL
Despite the edible swiftlet nest's huge commercial potential, Sarawak's 1998 Wildlife Protection Ordinance prohibits the species from being bred in other than its natural habitat like the caves.
And this has made things difficult for the industry.
The director of Sarawak's Forestry Department who is also the Wildlife Controller for Sarawak Datuk Len Talif Salleh stressed that the state government wanted the industry to be developed in a controlled manner in accordance with the existing laws.
Len Talif pointed out about 100 licenses have been approved from the 600 to 700 applications received since May.
"Most of the licenses approved are for the "old-players" who conform to the prerequisites," said Len Talif when contacted by Bernama in Kuching.
"The rest were rejected as their proposed swiftlet farms are in towns," he said adding that enforcement measures will be taken against illegal swiftlet farms.
The licenses were issued for swiftlet farming in Mukah, Bintulu, Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Sarikei with all of the swiftlet farms in agricultural areas.
POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Nonetheless, the industry views the issuance of the licence as a positive development when looking at the situation prior to May this year where only two of the more than 1,500 swiftlet farms in the state were licensed.
Swiftlet farming also needs approval from agencies like the Land and Survey Department, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and the local authorities.
And the good news is that the state government is to build three swiftlet eco-parks in Mukah, Sarikei and Bintulu respectively with lots to be sold and rented out to those who are keen.
However, many are sceptical that the bird will nest at the eco-park and feared the bureaucratic hassle.
EXEMPTIONS IN TOWNS?
Thus this scepticism has prompted a big number of swiftlet farm owners to seek exemptions and continue with their activities in the existing premises in towns.
The swiftlet nest entrepreneurs also hope to adopt guidelines like the Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) for the swiftlets, so that they will be allowed to ply their trade within towns as done by their counterparts in Peninsula.
"We will follow this guideline," noted the protem chairman for the Sarikei Swiftlet Nest Merchants' Association Wong Hua Ting, which is in opposition to the state government's stand that the swiflet farming should only be carried out at agricultural areas or the proposed eco-park.
Swiftlet farming in populated areas could create pandemonium among the public especially when there are diseases involving this species of bird.
The Veterinary Services Department (VSD) has conducted more than 5,000 tests on the birds and have confirmed that the swiflet are free from bird flu and Newcastle disease.
PREMISES MUST BE REGISTERED WITH JPV
The VSD is also preparing the guidelines on swiftlet farming and the draft proposals will be forwarded to the Steering Committee for the National Swiftlet Industry on Dec 14.
The guideline known as "1GP" makes it compulsory for swiftlet breeding premises to be registered with VSD.
However before the guideline could be adopted by the local authorities, it would be brought to the attention of the National Council on Local Government chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, which is expected to meet March next year.
"The guideline will set the standard for all local governments. It will help traders and swiftlet farm owners to venture into this field in a more organised manner," said the chairman of the Federation of Swiftlet Nest Merchants' Associations Datuk Beh Heng Seong.
NO MORE CONFISCATION OF NESTS
Regarding the guideline, Len Talif noted that the Sarawak state government is ready to adopt the guideline as long as it does not contradict with the state ordinance which would be continuously enforced.
He also gave assurance that in future the nests would not be confiscated and instead a compound will be issued and only the equipment used will be confiscated.
This development is seen as a positive indication pertaining to enforcement but this does not mean it has opened the doors for all to start swiftlet farms without authorisation.
The government wants to see 100,000 swiftlet farms producing 500 tonnes of the bird's nest annually worth RM5 billion by 2020.
The swiftlet nest from this country is of high quality and is highly sought after in China and Arab with the prices fetching up to RM10,000 per kilogram.
Thus the solution for this licensing issue is highly pertinent and all parties involved should work hand in hand to ensure that the edible bird nest industry remains vibrant and the nation stands at par with Indonesia and Thailand, the leading producers.
-- BERNAMA
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Wildlife officers nab bird poacher
NST Online
2008/05/10
A White-rumped Sharma or Murai Batu which was trapped by a rubber tapper in Grik.
IPOH: Greedy for some extra income, a rubber tapper took to trapping birds belonging to a protected species at a forest in Grik.
The 45-year-old poacher, who went to get more baskets to keep the birds, found himself ambushed and arrested by officers from the Perak Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).
The officers, acting on a tip-off, arrested the suspect when he went a friend's house at Taman Rimba Gamelan in Bercham to get the baskets at 8pm on Thursday, said Perhilitan state director Shabrina Shariff yesterday.
She said they also seized 127 White-rumped Sharma or Murai Batu, which were to be sold to a middleman in Johor Baru for RM15 each. The birds would have fetched a few hundred ringgit in the market, she added
If charged under Section 68 of the Wildlife Act, the man is liable to a maximum fine of RM3,000 or three years' jail or both.
2008/05/10
A White-rumped Sharma or Murai Batu which was trapped by a rubber tapper in Grik.
IPOH: Greedy for some extra income, a rubber tapper took to trapping birds belonging to a protected species at a forest in Grik.
The 45-year-old poacher, who went to get more baskets to keep the birds, found himself ambushed and arrested by officers from the Perak Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).
The officers, acting on a tip-off, arrested the suspect when he went a friend's house at Taman Rimba Gamelan in Bercham to get the baskets at 8pm on Thursday, said Perhilitan state director Shabrina Shariff yesterday.
She said they also seized 127 White-rumped Sharma or Murai Batu, which were to be sold to a middleman in Johor Baru for RM15 each. The birds would have fetched a few hundred ringgit in the market, she added
If charged under Section 68 of the Wildlife Act, the man is liable to a maximum fine of RM3,000 or three years' jail or both.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Filthy Penang
Crows shooting in Penang. Read the story below. Click to enlarge.
Birds are the natural indicator of our environment. When you have more crows than other birds, then I can correctly predict that there is lots of rubbish around.
Crows feed on throwaway, discarded food, leftovers and even carcasses - yunno like the dead dog on the road. Who would want to clean up the dead dog - the council trash contractors? No, it was the crows. In fact the crows are the nature, unpaid, God-sent-servants, to clean the messes.
So why shoot them?
Well, everywhere in the world - even in country with snow, you can see crows. In some countries, the population of the crows is less while for some, a culling need to be done. In Penang, apparently the population has exploded.
Is there an alternative?
Yes. Clean environment. Proper management of rubbish. Waste less. And you could control the population.
Yes. God also sent another natural control for crows. The Koels. They are the cuckoos which will raid crows’ nests and deposit their own eggs. The crows will naturally feed the young hatchings not knowing they were Koels’. In this way, the population of crows will be under control.
See, nature always has a way to control. Human always come and spoilt it.
I am wondering how the 15 marksmen will be able to differential the Koels from the Crows! Both are black. Both having the same size. Except the Koels have RED eyes. For RM2.2o per bird, they could be shooting whatever that’s black!
"When people are cruel to animals they will be cruel to one another"- Herbert N. Casson
Birds are the natural indicator of our environment. When you have more crows than other birds, then I can correctly predict that there is lots of rubbish around.
Crows feed on throwaway, discarded food, leftovers and even carcasses - yunno like the dead dog on the road. Who would want to clean up the dead dog - the council trash contractors? No, it was the crows. In fact the crows are the nature, unpaid, God-sent-servants, to clean the messes.
So why shoot them?
Well, everywhere in the world - even in country with snow, you can see crows. In some countries, the population of the crows is less while for some, a culling need to be done. In Penang, apparently the population has exploded.
Is there an alternative?
Yes. Clean environment. Proper management of rubbish. Waste less. And you could control the population.
Yes. God also sent another natural control for crows. The Koels. They are the cuckoos which will raid crows’ nests and deposit their own eggs. The crows will naturally feed the young hatchings not knowing they were Koels’. In this way, the population of crows will be under control.
See, nature always has a way to control. Human always come and spoilt it.
I am wondering how the 15 marksmen will be able to differential the Koels from the Crows! Both are black. Both having the same size. Except the Koels have RED eyes. For RM2.2o per bird, they could be shooting whatever that’s black!
"When people are cruel to animals they will be cruel to one another"- Herbert N. Casson
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Koel in Kiasuland
Since when do the singing of birds annoy anyone?
Apparently there are still people in Kiasuland who think that when they stay at a place called Pasir Ris, that place is his – any bird that sing around that area should be a nuisance.
An asshole just has such stupidity. Did he know that the birds were living there long before him or his great grandfather? The birds have more right than that asshole. Just because the birds do not pay taxes while that asshole does, did not give him the right to have the singing terminated!
The singing bird is called Koel. A black bird with fiery red eyes. It has a part in our ecosystem. If there are crows, there will be Koels. They control the population of crows. They will kick out the crow’s eggs and replace with their own. The mother crow will nurse the Koel’s chicks like her own. Isn’t that a wonderful way of nature to control crows?
So, if you kill the Koels – the consequences – more crows!
So, if you want to get rid of the “lousy singing” Koels then you should keep your compound clean! No crows, no Koels. It’s that simple!
Probably because that asshole pays big taxes and talk loud, the council people could chop down the tree…as killing of birds will be inhumane. Well, I don’t know what will happen next. Let’s wait and see.
Oh, in Bolehland, I guess the Koel would be catapulted to death. That is Bolehland!
Read the story from the Electric New Paper:
"I AM a resident of Pasir Ris.
Since early August, there has been a bird singing loudly in a tree near my flat on Street 52 between 5.45am to 6.30am every day.
I called Pasir Ris Town council in mid-August explaining that the bird is disturbing my sleep.
They promised to investigate.
For the next six weeks, I made about five calls to the town council, including asking to talk to the general manager.
But all I got was the response that they would investigate and someone would call me back.
For that six weeks, I was forced to wake up at 6am - even on Saturdays and Sundays, days that I do not work.
Six weeks later, the town council came back to me with this: that the bird making the sound is a bird called 'koel'.
It also said that the bird is on the tree which happens to fall into the jurisdiction of either the Public Utilities Board or the National Environment Agency.So it will get the relevant agency to give me a call.
What I don't understand is why it took six weeks to come back to me on something that can be accomplished in two hours.
What is the use of telling me the type of bird?
Does the problem go away for me if the tree falls under the PUB or NEA jurisdiction?
I woke up at 6am over the weekend on Saturday and wrote this letter.Each month, I receive a conservation fee statement from my town council for monthly payments, and I have been paying it every month.
Each year, I fill my tax forms, and understand that some of the tax money I pay is channelled towards the public service including the town councils.
I was told that if I do not fulfil such payments, I will be jailed or fined heavily.
But if I do pay, it seems there is no guarantee that the payment will be used to hire public servants who can solve problems or at least empathise with me".
Apparently there are still people in Kiasuland who think that when they stay at a place called Pasir Ris, that place is his – any bird that sing around that area should be a nuisance.
An asshole just has such stupidity. Did he know that the birds were living there long before him or his great grandfather? The birds have more right than that asshole. Just because the birds do not pay taxes while that asshole does, did not give him the right to have the singing terminated!
The singing bird is called Koel. A black bird with fiery red eyes. It has a part in our ecosystem. If there are crows, there will be Koels. They control the population of crows. They will kick out the crow’s eggs and replace with their own. The mother crow will nurse the Koel’s chicks like her own. Isn’t that a wonderful way of nature to control crows?
So, if you kill the Koels – the consequences – more crows!
So, if you want to get rid of the “lousy singing” Koels then you should keep your compound clean! No crows, no Koels. It’s that simple!
Probably because that asshole pays big taxes and talk loud, the council people could chop down the tree…as killing of birds will be inhumane. Well, I don’t know what will happen next. Let’s wait and see.
Oh, in Bolehland, I guess the Koel would be catapulted to death. That is Bolehland!
Read the story from the Electric New Paper:
"I AM a resident of Pasir Ris.
Since early August, there has been a bird singing loudly in a tree near my flat on Street 52 between 5.45am to 6.30am every day.
I called Pasir Ris Town council in mid-August explaining that the bird is disturbing my sleep.
They promised to investigate.
For the next six weeks, I made about five calls to the town council, including asking to talk to the general manager.
But all I got was the response that they would investigate and someone would call me back.
For that six weeks, I was forced to wake up at 6am - even on Saturdays and Sundays, days that I do not work.
Six weeks later, the town council came back to me with this: that the bird making the sound is a bird called 'koel'.
It also said that the bird is on the tree which happens to fall into the jurisdiction of either the Public Utilities Board or the National Environment Agency.So it will get the relevant agency to give me a call.
What I don't understand is why it took six weeks to come back to me on something that can be accomplished in two hours.
What is the use of telling me the type of bird?
Does the problem go away for me if the tree falls under the PUB or NEA jurisdiction?
I woke up at 6am over the weekend on Saturday and wrote this letter.Each month, I receive a conservation fee statement from my town council for monthly payments, and I have been paying it every month.
Each year, I fill my tax forms, and understand that some of the tax money I pay is channelled towards the public service including the town councils.
I was told that if I do not fulfil such payments, I will be jailed or fined heavily.
But if I do pay, it seems there is no guarantee that the payment will be used to hire public servants who can solve problems or at least empathise with me".
Poaching In Kiasuland
I would like to share with you our neighbour seriousness on poaching by Sheralyn Tay. Can Bolehland be as tough?
NParks gets tough as poaching is on the rise here
By Sheralyn Tay
USING one bird as bait, Masod bin Mohamed had hoped to lure and catchmore, but the 33-year-old was nabbed in February by the authoritiesinstead. Masod was arrested at the Mayflower Crescent playground by a NationalParks Board (NParks) ranger and, on Sept 11, became the first person hereto be charged and convicted of poaching, in a magistrate's court. He wasslapped with the maximum penalty - a fine of $2,000.
Wildlife experts here say that Masod's case is not an isolated one. Animal activists believe poaching is a problem as wildlife numbers arediminishing.
But the authorities are getting tough.
Since 2000, NParks have issued compound fines to more than 300 people forcapturing fishes and animals in parks and nature reserves. Compound finesare meted on the spot, like parking fines.
In August, the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) - for the firsttime - fined a poacher $500 for trapping birds in Changi.
Masod's conviction is a signal that they take a firm stand against against trapping, especially when it is for personal gain, said Ms Sharon Chan, NParks' assistant director of the central nature reserve.
"Much effort has been put into conserving our natural heritage for the public to enjoy and to make Singapore a unique urban city rich in bio-diversity. We have to take a strong stand against poachers who are destroying all these for their own short-term profit."
The AVA only allows the house crow, feral pigeon, purple-backed starling, Philippine glossy starling, common myna and the white-vented myna to be trapped and kept without a licence.
Hot spots for poachers include Pasir Ris Park, Khatib Bongsu and Seletar Airbase, and common targets for poachers are freshwater fish, flying lemurs and water monitor lizards as well as songsbirds, which are either sold or kept as pets.
But small animals are not the only ones being trapped. Last weekend, Mr Ben Lee, founder and head of Nature Trekker, a non-profit organisation, discovered a large boar trap in the foliage on Pulau Ubin.
On Saturday, he found a second trap (picture) large enough to hold 25 men.
"I mistook it for someone's house," he said, adding that in most cases, boars were often caught to be eaten. However, Mr Grant Pereira, head of the Green Volunteers Network, noted that the traps may have been set by farmers to control the large boar population, which wreak havoc on crops. "But it's a slippery slope; once you start trapping, it can … become exploitative," he said.
Poaching, he added, has affected wildlife numbers. In the last 30 years, the numbers of birds and fishes have been diminishing. According a recent study by bird watchers, 44 bird species have become extinct.
"We need more awareness, and more incentive for people to report traps when they see them," Mr Pereira said.
Seen a trap or a poacher? Report it to the NParks Helpline at 1-800-4717300 or the AVA at 6227 0670.
NParks gets tough as poaching is on the rise here
By Sheralyn Tay
USING one bird as bait, Masod bin Mohamed had hoped to lure and catchmore, but the 33-year-old was nabbed in February by the authoritiesinstead. Masod was arrested at the Mayflower Crescent playground by a NationalParks Board (NParks) ranger and, on Sept 11, became the first person hereto be charged and convicted of poaching, in a magistrate's court. He wasslapped with the maximum penalty - a fine of $2,000.
Wildlife experts here say that Masod's case is not an isolated one. Animal activists believe poaching is a problem as wildlife numbers arediminishing.
But the authorities are getting tough.
Since 2000, NParks have issued compound fines to more than 300 people forcapturing fishes and animals in parks and nature reserves. Compound finesare meted on the spot, like parking fines.
In August, the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) - for the firsttime - fined a poacher $500 for trapping birds in Changi.
Masod's conviction is a signal that they take a firm stand against against trapping, especially when it is for personal gain, said Ms Sharon Chan, NParks' assistant director of the central nature reserve.
"Much effort has been put into conserving our natural heritage for the public to enjoy and to make Singapore a unique urban city rich in bio-diversity. We have to take a strong stand against poachers who are destroying all these for their own short-term profit."
The AVA only allows the house crow, feral pigeon, purple-backed starling, Philippine glossy starling, common myna and the white-vented myna to be trapped and kept without a licence.
Hot spots for poachers include Pasir Ris Park, Khatib Bongsu and Seletar Airbase, and common targets for poachers are freshwater fish, flying lemurs and water monitor lizards as well as songsbirds, which are either sold or kept as pets.
But small animals are not the only ones being trapped. Last weekend, Mr Ben Lee, founder and head of Nature Trekker, a non-profit organisation, discovered a large boar trap in the foliage on Pulau Ubin.
On Saturday, he found a second trap (picture) large enough to hold 25 men.
"I mistook it for someone's house," he said, adding that in most cases, boars were often caught to be eaten. However, Mr Grant Pereira, head of the Green Volunteers Network, noted that the traps may have been set by farmers to control the large boar population, which wreak havoc on crops. "But it's a slippery slope; once you start trapping, it can … become exploitative," he said.
Poaching, he added, has affected wildlife numbers. In the last 30 years, the numbers of birds and fishes have been diminishing. According a recent study by bird watchers, 44 bird species have become extinct.
"We need more awareness, and more incentive for people to report traps when they see them," Mr Pereira said.
Seen a trap or a poacher? Report it to the NParks Helpline at 1-800-4717300 or the AVA at 6227 0670.
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