MPOGCF’s Zamakhshari and Hairulazim with Zoo Negara’s Zaharin and Rosley Rahmat at the official sponsorship cheque handover at Zoo Negara.
UNDER the morning sun, the dark and glossy fur of Bornean orangutan Khaty gleamed as she swung gracefully from one tree branch to another, an inspiring sight to all who had the opportunity to see her.
Khaty, along with Manja, are part of the Zoo Negara Ape Centre and were present to greet guests attending the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) official sponsorship cheque handover and signing ceremony, for the upgrading works of the Bornean Orangutan Showcase.
“With a total of RM1.1mil, MPOGCF’s sponsorship of the Bornean Orangutan Showcase will allow Zoo Negara to make significant improvements to their open-concept enclosure, which would include restoration and conservation work, in ensuring that the Bornean orangutans currently housed at the Ape Centre will continue to live well under the zoo’s care and supervision,” said MPOGCF general manager Zamakhshari Muhamad.
Bornean orangutan Khaty at the zoo’s Ape Centre. – LOW LAY PHON/The Star
Present at the event were Zoo Negara president Datuk Zaharin Md Arif and deputy president Rosly Rahmat Ahmat Lana, who both formalised the sponsorship by accepting a mock cheque from MPOGCF board of trustees member Hairulazim Mahmud and Zamakhshari.
This was followed by a symbolic signing ceremony, as well as a visit to the showcase’s Bornean orangutan for a feeding session.
The event was made merrier with the attendance of 100 schoolchildren, who came to take part in “Living Together with Orangutans”, a thematic colouring contest organised by #MPOGCFxZooNegara, as well as a special programme with the zoo’s Zoology Department to educate the nation’s young minds on orangutan conservation and sharing information on the zoo’s various attractions and activities.
The sponsorship is a part of the foundation’s ongoing efforts to advocate for harmonious coexistence between humans and orangutans, especially in promoting the concept of “Living Together in Harmony” – introduced by MPOGCF in early August this year – which puts forth the idea of “The Other Malaysians” campaign, where endangered and protected wildlife species are seen as part of the nation’s inhabitants.
Aside from Bornean orangutans, the two key wildlife species that MPOGCF is currently advocating include the Malayan Tiger under the Malayan Tiger Conservation Programme and elephants, via the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary (BES).
Zamakhshari said, “MPOGCF is honoured by the cooperation, given the contribution of Zoo Negara in educating and raising awareness about wildlife conservation in the country.
“This cooperation is a continuation of the orangutan conservation projects that are ongoing or will soon be implemented with funding from MPOGCF.”
Among these are the Rehabilitation of Orangutan Habitat Project through the 10-year One Million Tree-Planting Programme in forest areas spanning 2,500 hectares in Lahad Datu, Sabah.
It is aimed at recovering degraded forests and bringing socioeconomic benefits to the local communities, by creating job opportunities in the supply, planting and maintenance of trees.
Although the programme, which began in 2020 with the Sabah Forestry Department, has been postponed several times because of the Covid-19 pandemic, almost 100,000 trees of various species have been successfully planted.
Starting next year, MPOGCF will be conducting research on Sabah’s orangutans with the cooperation of the Sabah Wildlife Department and a non-governmental organisation.
The purpose of the survey is to obtain current data and statistics on the population of orangutans in Sabah, including the focal areas for orangutan, which will be used to better plan and execute more effective and impactful orangutan conservation programmes.
MPOGCF has also established the Sabah Wildlife Rescue Unit.
In taking the high road to support and continuously raise awareness on orangutan conservation, among other environmental and conservation efforts, MPOGCF is showcasing to the world that the Malaysian palm oil industry is environmentally responsible and committed to conserving biodiversity and promoting a green landscape.
Established in 2021, the foundation is an initiative mooted by the Plantation and Commodities Ministry to support conservation initiatives related to the palm oil industry.
Beyond that, the foundation continues to look into critical areas related to green conservation within the industry for the short, middle and long-term protection, management and conservation of the country’s natural heritage.
This is also done in the hopes of enhancing the palm oil industry’s reputation to achieve global recognition in sustainability practices.
