KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) is desperate to save the Sumatran Rhinocerous.
“We in Sabah are still unsuccessful in breeding the Sumatran Rhinocerous …we have discussed (the matter) with lots of partners in Sabah and IZW (Institute for Zoo and Wildlife in Berlin, Germany).
We have engaged experts in rhinos from Germany and we have tried several things including propagation of cells from our Sumatran Rhinos in Tabin (Lahad Datu) and it is working well,” said SWD director, Dr Laurentius Ambu in his opening remarks at the Forum on the Findings of Imbak Canyon 2012 Wildlife Survey held at a resort near here yesterday.
Additionally, he said, they were also working with their Indonesian counterpart who has recently seen the birth of a rhino calf in June, this year.
He also said the Borneo Rhino Sanctuary had already been established in Tabin to help with the endeavour.
At the same time, he also mentioned that they would like to conduct rhino surveys at Danum Valley.
Laurentius also commented on issues facing the orangutans and pygmy elephants in Sabah.
Some issues, particularly one following a study on the orangutan population at Lower Kinabatangan, had been blown out of proportion by NGOs outside of the state, he said.
“Our study on the population showed that there was a decline in population of the orangutan due to forest fragmentation and inbreeding over the years…what came out at these blogs was out of context. Instead, they claim that we have killed these orangutans,” he said.
The pygmy elephants also faced similar predicament due to forest fragmentation.
“I am hoping that this survey would propose the linkages of these fragmented forest. The best that can happen is to connect Ulu Segama, Danum Valley, Imbak Canyon and its surrounding areas.”