MYCAT Joint Statement: Review RELA’s Firearm Possession and Use – Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

MYCAT Joint Statement: Review RELA’s Firearm Possession and Use – Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

MYCAT Joint Statement: Review RELA’s Firearm Possession and Use

Kuala Lumpur, 24 June 2010 - We refer to the killing of a three-year old male tiger by a People’s Volunteer Corp (RELA) because it was spotted in a village and suspected of attacking poultry in Sungai Bayor, Perak.

We understand the villagers’ fear but the matter should not have been handled in this manner. There is a clear and simple procedure for dealing with these human-tiger conflict situations that should be well-known to agencies like RELA and its members. That procedure is to alert the Department of Wildlife and National Parks first.

This incident is just one of many that raise our concern about RELA members abusing their firearms:

• In 2004, a RELA member was charged for killing a tiger in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan. The tiger was discovered with its internal organs missing and was believed to have been shot by the man after villagers sighted it in the forest.
• Last October, two RELA members were arrested by the Pahang Wildlife Department for using their shotguns to kill two mousedeer in Rompin, Pahang.
• Earlier this year nine Orang Asli; two of whom were RELA members, were detained for snaring and torturing a tiger in Sungkai, Perak.

Such incidents illustrate the reality of how RELA members are not always in tune with the national laws and policies relating to wildlife and the proper use of the firearms awarded to them.

In view of this, the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT), which comprises the Malaysian Nature Society, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, Wildlife Conservation Society – Malaysia Programme and WWF-Malaysia, calls for a review of RELA members’ firearm possession policy, standard operating procedures involving firearm use as well as policies with regards to dealing with wildlife. Adding to this concern is the recent news of the issuance of 48,823 shotgun licenses by the Government.

There must also be closer and more effective communication among government agencies, especially in circumstances where the job of protecting wildlife and people overlap.

We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that human-tiger conflict arises as a result of loss of prey, loss of habitats through land clearance for industrial plantations such as oil palm and rubber, and poaching. So it is imperative to ensure these problems are tackled to keep both animals and people safe.

The government has been clear at policy level about its commitment to doubling the number of wild tigers by 2020 – stated unequivocally both in the National Tiger Action Plan and the 10th Malaysia Plan. Making these a reality is not solely the responsibility of the Wildlife Department and conservation organisations – the tiger graces our Coat of Arms, it is a national symbol and belongs to all of us, RELA members included.

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Rela man wrong in shooting tiger

Thursday June 24, 2010

Rela man wrong in shooting tiger

Thursday June 24, 2010

Rela man wrong in shooting tiger

IPOH: The Perak Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has wrapped up its probe on the killing of a three-year-old tiger, saying that the Rela member was in the wrong to shoot the animal.

He should not have taken action on his own, Perhilitan director Shabrina Mohd Shariff said.

“Everything must be done according to the law.”

She said the case had now been forwarded to the office of the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action.

On Tuesday, a villager of Kampung Ulu Damaq in Selama, alerted a Rela member about a tiger which had apparently killed poultry, besides foraging for food at a nearby forest reserve.

The Rela member subsequently used a shotgun to kill the 120kg beast.

In Kuala Lumpur, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said that the villagers should have alerted Perhilitan promptly when they first spotted the tiger to ensure their safety and that of the tiger’s.

Expressing his outrage over the shooting of the tiger, he said the reason for killing the animal was unacceptable.

“We can rear poultry or buy them in the market but not tigers. Tigers must be protected,” Dr Chua said, adding that the animal also had a very special place in the Malaysian culture.

“We (MCA) have received many calls from the public expressing their unhappiness and outrage over the shooting (of the tiger),” he said in a statement yesterday.

Malaysian Nature Society communications head Andrew Sebas­tian said the villagers should have contacted Perhilitan first to seek their expertise and not act on their own.

“They cannot simply shoot and kill any tiger on sight. Tigers are endangered and protected species,” said Sebastian yesterday.

He said the Rela member who shot the tiger should also know about guidelines on firing their guns.

“Were there any warning shots to scare the big cat away?” he asked.

Sebastian said the society was in full support of Perhilitan.

“We hope that there would be strict punishment for the Rela member if there was any wrongdoing,” he added.

IPOH: The Perak Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has wrapped up its probe on the killing of a three-year-old tiger, saying that the Rela member was in the wrong to shoot the animal.

He should not have taken action on his own, Perhilitan director Shabrina Mohd Shariff said.

“Everything must be done according to the law.”

She said the case had now been forwarded to the office of the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action.

On Tuesday, a villager of Kampung Ulu Damaq in Selama, alerted a Rela member about a tiger which had apparently killed poultry, besides foraging for food at a nearby forest reserve.

The Rela member subsequently used a shotgun to kill the 120kg beast.

In Kuala Lumpur, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said that the villagers should have alerted Perhilitan promptly when they first spotted the tiger to ensure their safety and that of the tiger’s.

Expressing his outrage over the shooting of the tiger, he said the reason for killing the animal was unacceptable.

“We can rear poultry or buy them in the market but not tigers. Tigers must be protected,” Dr Chua said, adding that the animal also had a very special place in the Malaysian culture.

“We (MCA) have received many calls from the public expressing their unhappiness and outrage over the shooting (of the tiger),” he said in a statement yesterday.

Malaysian Nature Society communications head Andrew Sebas­tian said the villagers should have contacted Perhilitan first to seek their expertise and not act on their own.

“They cannot simply shoot and kill any tiger on sight. Tigers are endangered and protected species,” said Sebastian yesterday.

He said the Rela member who shot the tiger should also know about guidelines on firing their guns.

“Were there any warning shots to scare the big cat away?” he asked.

Sebastian said the society was in full support of Perhilitan.

“We hope that there would be strict punishment for the Rela member if there was any wrongdoing,” he added.

Hungry tiger shot dead by Rela member

Wednesday June 23, 2010

Hungry tiger shot dead by Rela member

By SYLVIA LOOI
sylvia@thestar.com.my

SELAMA: A three-year-old male tiger was shot dead by a Rela member at Kampung Ulu Damaq in Sungai Bayor here yesterday.

Selama acting OCPD Asst Superintendent Ramli Mohammad said the tiger had been spotted several times in the village and that it had apparently killed poultry belonging to a villager.

He said in the 12.05pm incident, the tiger, weighing some 120kg, was believed to have strayed into the village, some 10km from the Bintang Hijau Forest Reserve to forage for food.

Spotting the tiger, the villager sought help from a friend, who is a Rela member, said ASP Raml

Shot to death: A department official showing the carcass of the tiger that was shot dead in Kampung Ulu Damaq in Sungai Bayor yesterday.

Armed with a shotgun, the Rela member killed the animal.

Perak Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department director Shabrina Mohd Shariff said a team had been sent to the village to investigate the incident.

“The villager claimed the tiger had killed his poultry,” she said.

She added that the carcass had been sent to the Wildlife Conservation Centre in Sungkai for preservation.

Shabrina said the villager should have called the department to set a a trap to catch the animal.

“We will not hesitate to recommend that the Rela member be charged if investigations find any wrongdoing,” she added.

This is the second tiger that was reportedly killed in the state this year.

In February, a tiger was caught in a wire snare and was killed by an orang asli at the Bukit Tapah Forest Reserve.

Sun bear BOLEH series: “Sun bear can climb!” part 1 – Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Sun bear BOLEH series: “Sun bear can climb!” part 1 – Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

I always consider myself very lucky to be able to study the sun bear, the least known bear in the world. Over years of tracking down radio-collared sun bears in the rainforest of Borneo, I managed to witness some bazaar behaviors of this illusive mammal in the natural surroundings. One of these “holy cow!” behaviors was the tree-climbing skill of sun bears, which made me believe they are the most arboreal bears in the world. With their small body size as a bear species, black color pelt and agile slender arms, they look a lot like chimpanzee than any bear species to me. They are equipped with the best tree climbing tool, not with fingers like the chimpanzee and other primates, but four sets of curved and long claws, each control by exceptionally strong digit muscle. The claws clam in and dig deep in the tree bark, they simply “walk” up on the tall tropical rainforest trees like lumberjack climbing a tree with their spike shoes.

Sun bear has all the reasons to be an arboreal mammal. First, a big portion of their food is found on top of a tree: fruits and invertebrates. Fruits are important for sun bear because they are available in large quantity, but finding fruiting trees are not easy. Beside fruits, invertebrates such as bee hives with yummy honey and larvae are nutritious food items to boost up body condition. Some species of bees build their hives inside tree cavities high above the ground for double protections. However, this will not deter a sun bear from breaking into the bee hives because sun bear climb really well, equipped with strong claws and canines to break into tree cavities, and sun bear’s determination to feed on honey as food is not easy to find in the forest. There is no better way to illustrate how much sun bears love honey other than showing these photos taken by Wineke Schoo in Danum Valley, the forest where I studied sun bears for six years in Borneo.

The bigger black dot was a mother sun bear climbing up a huge tree, followed by a little black dot, her little cub. At this point, the mother bear already found the beehive and starting to break into hive. Little one followed.

Wineke managed to get some zoo-in photos with her spotting scope. I know what you are trying to say, so am I! Thanks Wineke for sharing these photos. This is a lifetime experience to witness such amazing event taking place in our own planet!

Now you know why sun bears are also known as honey bear (beruang madu) in local Malay language, simply because they love honey!

Photos credit: Wineke Schoo

~to be continue~

Sun bear BOLEH series: “Sun bear can swim!” – Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Sun bear BOLEH series: “Sun bear can swim!” – Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

In Malay language, “boleh” means “can”, or “capable.” “Malaysia Boleh!” or Malaysia can! in English, is nationwide campaign launched by our former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during his leadership. The “Malaysia Boleh!” spirit has since produced many achievers and achievements, (although many are rather sarcastic), but for sure, it has been a cornerstone of the success stories that made the new Malaysia today.

Since sun bear is also known as Malayan sun bear and is resident in Malaysia, I would like to create a” Malaysia Boleh! Sun Bear Pun Boleh!” (Malaysia can! Sun Bear also Can!) series to highlight about this little known bear. Today is the opportunity for me to kick start the Sun Bear Boleh! campaign with a series of photos I received from Fiona Kwok:

”Sun bear can swim!”

After years of studying and working closely with sun bears, I know that the sun bears love water but I did not know they can swim well, not until yesterday when Fiona posted a photo of a sun bear swam across a man-made fresh water lake in northern Peninsula Malaysia on my facebook. Fiona was so kind to share the rest of the photos which she took last year at Lower Belum/Temenggor State Park, when this handsome looking sun bear swam across the Temenggoh Lake, moving from one island to the other. Fiona was on a small boat when she spotted this wild bear swimming and following it, taking photos of course, until it reached the land.

This is really an eye opening lesson for me. I hope you feel the same too!

One word to describe this behavior, “Amazing!”

Malaysia can! Sun Bear also can!

Thanks Fiona for taking and sharing the photos!

Zoo Talkin’ Radio: 30 min of sun bear stories with Sandra Dee Robinson and Jordan Schaul – Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Zoo Talkin’ Radio: 30 min of sun bear stories with Sandra Dee Robinson and Jordan Schaul – Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre


It was a great honor to be interviewed by Sandra Dee Robinson and Jordan Schaul last night in their internet radio program, Zoo Talkin’ and Bears on the Air. Although our interview has been interrupted during the middle of the interview when my internet modem gave up on me, I am glad that the entire show can be continued with the telephone conversation. Pweeu~ at one point, I feel like I was back in action again in the forest – everything simply don’t work!

Zoo Talkin’ Radio is a new internet radio show, targets an audience of wildlife conservation and general public on various topics on animals, zoos, wildlife, and conservation. You can learn more about this program at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/zoo-peeps-creator.

Thank you Sandra and Jordan for this good opportunity for me to talk about my work on sun bear and their plights. I am sure this program will be a good help to raise the conservation awareness of this little known bear, my beloved sun bears! I hope this show will kind start another wave of people to help sun bear, and please don’t forget Sandra, “a cartoon character feature sun bear” is what will change the future for this forgotten bear!

Here is the link for the radio show:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/zoo-peeps-creator/2010/06/15/wong-siew-1

I hope you enjoy the program. Please help us spread the words about it!