Malaysia - Safari concept to protect endangered species

Ibrahim Ali Proposes Safari Concept To Protect Endangered Species

KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Bernama) -- A Member of Parliament (MP) on Monday urged the government to set up animal preservation sanctuaries (safari) or build a zoo in every state to protect endangered wild animals.

Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Bebas-Pasir Mas) said apart from protecting endangered species, such places can also attract tourist to the respective states.

He added that the lost of natural habitat for animals was due to illegal logging and unplanned housing development projects.

"The easiest way of preserving wild animals is to follow Africa that uses the safari concept. Similarly, we have to identify places that can be turned into a safari for wild animals.

"We have vast areas in Sabah and Sarawak, even in the Peninsular there are places that can be used for such purposes because not all states have their own zoo," he told the Dewan Rakyat when debating the Wildlife Conservation Bill 2010 Monday.

Ibrahim added that the management of zoo in the country was also not efficient enough when compared with other countries, including Singapore.

"Our Zoo Negara when compared with countries that do not have vast jungles and wild animals, especially Singapore, pales in shadow because they are better," he said.

He also wanted to know the status of Zoo Negara which was apparently going to be shifted to another location since the location was not conducive due to the proximity of housing developments in the area.

"The concept of a zoo is to ensure animals lived in their natural habitat and environment. Through that concept, we can also attract visitors and tourists," he said.

Nasharuddin Mat Isa (Pas-Bachok) who expressed a similar sentiment, suggested the setting up of a natural history museum that can be used to do research and studies on wild animals.

The Dewan Rakyat will resume Tuesday.

-- BERNAMA