Wildlife is a big deal in Sabah. It’s the last bastion for some of the rarest species in the world. Iconic species, such as the orang utan, Bornean pygmy elephant, sun bear, Bornean banteng (forest cattle), clouded leopard and proboscis monkey, are some of the endangered species that still roam the wild in Sabah.
Another is the Sumatran rhinoceros — only three are left in captivity at the Tabin Wildlife Sanctuary in Lahad Datu. Tales of how hornbills used to bellow in rural villages, curious sambar deer foraging outside the school fence and gibbons hooting at the edge of a golf course are now just memories for many.
The animals have either “disappeared” or retreated deeper into the wild because of development and with the opening of lands for agriculture and oil palm.
But, while humans are the animals’ biggest foe, they are also their best hope for survival. The state Wildlife Department under the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, for instance, has pushed for efforts to protect the wildlife and ensure that it coexists with man with as little conflict as possible.
Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun had said: “If there is one thing I want left behind in this lifetime is that I tried my best to make sure the future generation can see the wild animals that I saw.”
Many groups, too, have stepped up to the plate to do their bit to promote, educate and fight for the survival and protection of the endangered species.
Sabah’s hardline approach to reduce logging, despite the lucrative returns, have also helped buy time for the animals.
The push by the state government to preserve more areas and policy to have at least 30 per cent of the forests protected has earned much accolade, including from the World Wide Fund for Nature.
Some of the decisions, all of which were passed with little hesitation by the state assembly, has helped create corridors that help bridge fragmented forests and allow bigger areas for animals to roam.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman had said: “This will be my legacy, to ensure our future generations see the lush green surroundings that is the pride of Sabah.”
Unfortunately, foreign and local opportunists, who have latched on to the wildlife theme, have come in big numbers to Sabah.
Their goal varies from profits to grants from the many international institutions that give generous financial assistance to protect and conserve the animal kingdom as well as political mileage locally.
It’s sad how they make use of the people who are genuinely concerned about the wildlife for their cause.
The real heroes do not take credit for what they do, they are usually behind the scenes. They are focused on what they do, their objective is to protect and preserve the endangered species.
At the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary in Sandakan, wildlife rangers, keepers and veterinarians look after the animals as if they were their own children.
The orphaned animals are nursed, nurtured and rehabilitated before they are released into the wild. Next to it is the Bornean Sunbear Conservation Centre, where more than 30 of the species are under the care of people who dedicate their lives to caring for them.
Then there is the Sabah Wildlife Rescue Unit, which comes under the Wildlife Department — tirelessly rescuing animals from as small as tarsiers to elephants that come in conflict with humans, or that are being abused.
In the court of law, with a strong decree from the Sabah and Sarawak Chief Judge Tan Sri Richard Malanjum, more poachers are penalised with stiff fines and even jailed. Individuals, too, are coming up with ideas to promote the importance of wildlife.
Former New Straits Times journalist Jaswinder Kaur Kler, together with Penny Gardner and Benoit Goossens, recently released a book entitled Upin, which focuses on the Bornean banteng.
Yesterday, too, saw a significant signing of yet another group of honorary wildlife wardens, a programme introduced by the Wildlife Department to empower citizens to be their eyes and ears on the ground, at Pulau Gaya off Kota Kinabalu.
All these come into place with hopes to ensure the survival of the many species that roam, swim, climb and fly across Sabah. What a sight that would be.
NST’s Sabah bureau chief, Roy Goh finds solace in the hills, the wild and drama movies. Inspiration comes from long drives on the road, off-road and the fairways