Perhilitan shares about rescue missions on its social media to supplement content in conventional mass media. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
A VIDEO showing a tapir rolling on the ground while being sprayed with water in Kajang, Selangor, drew a flurry of online comments expressing affection for the animal.
The two-and-a-half-minute clip showed a rescue operation by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).
“It looks so adorable. I did not know tapirs are so gentle,” said one comment on the video posted on Perhilitan’s social media platforms.
In the clip, the frugivore was seen scurrying about near a surau before it was trapped and loaded onto a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
A screenshot of a clip showing a tapir rescue operation in Kajang posted on Perhilitan’s Facebook page.
In the caption, Perhilitan said the operation was carried out following a report about a stray tapir.
“Preliminary checks found that the animal was healthy.
“It has been released into a suitable habitat,” it read.
The video was among a handful of posts showing wildlife rescue operations undertaken throughout the peninsula.
Besides tapirs, the department also regularly posts about operations to rescue tigers and elephants, among other species.
Other updates include community programmes and events held to celebrate certain wildlife species.
Educational content
The advent of social media has helped to spread content about wildlife to more people through their electronic devices.
Perhilitan said it was using these platforms to share information about wildlife protection and rescue operations.
Smartphones have made sharing wildlife information easier. — Filepic
“Our aim is to enhance awareness among the public about the importance of conservation efforts and risks involved.
Shanmugaraj urges Perhilitan to diversify the types of content on social media.“Our rescue videos usually include information on the animal before, during and after the operation.
“So far, the reception has been positive,” said the department in a statement to StarMetro, adding that it monitored the comments for relevant updates.
It also highlighted that the public may submit reports via Perhilitan’s e-Aduan system, state and district offices, or its hotline 1-800-88-5151.
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) executive director I.S. Shanmugaraj lauded Perhilitan’s initiative, but suggested that the department post other types of content too.
This could include tips on surviving encounters with wildlife, in view of the rising number of conflicts with humans, he said.
“Such conflicts are becoming more common, especially in rural areas that were cleared for development projects,” he added.
Shanmugaraj pointed to the areas around the Central Forest Spine in the peninsula.
He said there had been many reports of stray elephants as the animals were displaced after their habitats were disturbed.
Theiva suggests Perhilitan also share information about animal rehabilitation efforts.Between 2018 and 2022, 13 deaths due to elephant attacks were recorded in the peninsula, causing some RM40mil in losses, according to news reports.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia legal advisor Theiva Lingam said Perhilitan could also share information about rehabilitation of the animals it rescued.
“Explaining the next step will help the public better understand wildlife management and improve the department’s accountability,” she said.
Information on less popular species such as macaques, civets and snakes, should also be posted, she added.
Pros and cons
Around the globe, many wildlife organisations are also using social media to disseminate information about their work.
One of them is World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), which has a guideline for sharing wildlife-related information on these platforms.
In a statement on its website, WWF said its audience comprised nature lovers and stakeholders who supported its cause.
The non-governmental organisation (NGO) said its content was geared more towards the former, which represented a larger grouping.
“Our posts cater to those who don’t already support us but are nonetheless interested in nature and its protection,” WWF said.
However, some quarters warned that sharing about wildlife on social media could pose threats to the animals and their habitats.
A study was conducted in 2022 on “Evaluating the benefits and risks of social media for wildlife conservation” and published in Canadian scientific journal Facets.
The piece revealed that some social media posts might misrepresent conservation priorities.
“This is particularly evident when users post content showing threatened species interacting with humans.
“Surveys have shown that the public is less likely to think an animal is threatened when portrayed in such fashion,” the study noted.
The study further stated that geotagging features on social media platforms risked revealing environmentally sensitive locations.
Perhilitan handlers rescuing three elephants during an operation in Gua Musang, Kelantan, in 2023. — Bernama
The highlighted sites might attract more visitors, causing increased activities that could harm the surrounding species and environment, it added.
Ecotourism and Conservation Society Malaysia president Andrew Sebastian shared similar concerns, noting that online sharing about wildlife came with risks.
“Some individuals may innocently reveal the locations of certain species, which may attract poachers to these areas,” he pointed out.
On July 26, The Star reported about poachers spying on posts by an online birdwatching community to obtain locations of endangered species.
Posing as wildlife enthusiasts, they also befriended genuine hobbyists and infiltrated chat groups and online forums.
Theiva said wildlife should not be used as social media content, except for educational purposes.
She also stressed that those handling animals should be seen adhering to proper standards, such as wearing protective gear, to minimise cross contamination risks.
“During rescue operations, providing immediate care must take priority over photography and video recording,” she added.
Balanced view
Sebastian says moderation is key when sharing about wildlife on social media.Despite the appeal of social media, stakeholders insist that conventional mass media is needed to provide comprehensive coverage and a balanced view of wildlife issues.
Perhilitan said it would continue supplying updates to the conventional mass media on its campaigns and programmes.
“Reports by conventional media help to disseminate the information to a wider audience,” said Perhilitan.
Shanmugaraj said although social media could help spark interest, proper reporting by journalists go a long way in helping the public better appreciate wildlife issues.
News articles, he elaborated, allowed for more in-depth discussions, encouraging stakeholders to engage in issues more meaningfully.
“Unlike social media, where users simply scroll past what is on the screen quickly, information printed in newspapers has a bigger impact,” he added.
Sebastian said a large segment of the Malaysian public still relied on conventional media for updates.
He said social media, although popular, had limited appeal as each platform tended to be popular with certain age groups only.
Conventional media, he said, could complement Perhilitan’s efforts by publishing more information related to wildlife.
“Publish more reports about protected species, explain why they are protected and highlight their uniqueness.
“To improve appreciation for such species, the media may also highlight their role in sustaining biodiversity,” he added.
Theiva, meanwhile, called for intensified campaigns to address issues of illegal wildlife trade and the keeping of exotic animals as pets.
“Respect for wildlife must be inculcated from a young age through education,” she added.
