KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian Animal Projects and Environmental Education (APE Malaysia) and the American Zoos and Aquarium (AZA) Association are collaborating on a project to improve the welfare of animals at the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park here.
A team from the AZA, comprising eight zookeepers, educators and a zoo director, have arrived at the park to assist APE Malaysia in its effort to upgrade wildlife enclosures and enhance the animals’ general welfare.
Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said the initiative is being taken based on recommendations made during a recent external audit, which include upgrading animal facilities.
“The APE Malaysia group (and AZA) will be working on adding a few enrichment items to the orangutan enclosure by adding climbing ropes and new hammocks, as well as several other enrichment items for sun bears and elephants,” he said in a statement today.
Projects such as these have been organised since the installation of new management at the park, said wildlife officer in charge Nurain Acheh, who added that third parties such as APE Malaysia and AZA are engaged for expert advice on proper steps to take.
She said APE Malaysia was the first organisation to step forward to work with Sabah’s wildlife department and the park’s management on fulfilling all the audit’s recommendations.
“It will take several years to make all the recommended changes, but we are positive that things can only get better,” Nurain added.
Meanwhile, APE Malaysia project director Mazrul Mahadzir said discussions are on-going on the implementation of a long-term plan on wildlife welfare improvement with the park’s management.
APE Malaysia has worked with Zoo Negara; the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari; the Melaka Zoo and Night Safari; the Matang Wildlife Centre; and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre over the past 35 years on improving wildlife welfare.
The group has also worked in Thailand (Zoological Parks Organisation); Indonesia (Sumatra Orangutan Conservation Project); and Laos (Lao Zoo and Wildlife Park).