Sumatran elephants could be extinct in 30 years

The Sumatran elephant could be extinct in the wild within three decades unless immediate steps are taken to slow the breakneck pace of deforestation, environmentalists warned Tuesday.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature recently listed the animals as "critically endangered" after their numbers dropped to between 2,400 and 2,800 from an estimated 5,000 in 1985.

The decline is largely because of destruction of their habitat, with forests all across the Indonesian island of Sumatra being clear-cut for timber, palm oil and pulp and paper plantations.

Sumatra has some of the most significant populations of Asian elephants outside of India and Sri Lanka and is also home to tigers, orangutans and rhinos.

"The Sumatran elephant joins a growing list of Indonesian species that are critically endangered," Carlos Drews of the conservation group WWF said in a statement Tuesday. "Unless urgent and effective conservation action is taken these magnificent animals are likely to go extinct within our lifetime."

Indonesia's endangered elephants sometimes venture into populated areas searching for food and destroy crops or attack humans, making them unpopular with villagers.

Some are shot or poisoned with cyanide-laced fruit, while others are killed by poachers for their ivory.


[source]

Malaysia saves endangered pygmy elephant on Borneo

Malaysian wildlife authorities said they had rescued a pygmy elephant calf on Borneo island and expressed hope a planned sanctuary would provide protection for the endangered animals.

The male calf, which is less than a month old, was pulled out of a deep moat surrounding a palm oil plantation in remote Sabah state on Friday, said Sen Nathan, a senior official with the Sabah Wildlife Department.

It is the fifth calf rescued by wildlife officials since 2009. Three of those previously saved have died but a female has recovered and is now at a wildlife park.

There are fewer than 2,000 Borneo pygmy elephants left in the wild, according to authorities. A sub-species of the Asian elephant, the creatures have a rounded appearance and are smaller than mainland elephants.

Wildlife activists warn that pygmy elephants are fast losing their natural habitat to deforestation and human encroachment on Borneo, a vast island shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.


[source]

BITATAWA: Meet Our New Dragon

In 05 April 2010, Biology Letters officially published online the discovery of a new giant lizard specie discovered in the Philippines. Now if you can remember, this is not the first dragon here but the second. And it is found on the main island of Luzon as opposed to the Butaan; only found on an isolated island of Polilio.

The very first sighting of it by science was in 2001. When scientists met hunters carrying it -- it was for dinner, so they just took a photo and let the hunters go. The Agta and Ilongot people of the Sierra Madre forests consider it as a delicacy. Yum!

Thanks to SMS (Texting, as it is famously called), the lizard was finally recorded by science. Scientist received a text message from biology students about its sighting. How is it different? Mainly its yellow markings. It is also a fruitarian like the Butaan.

Its fancy name is Varanus bitatawa. I dunno how it is called locally.
Any inputs from our Filipino friends?

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Photo courtesy of WiredNews

MALAYAN SUN BEAR: The World’s Smallest Bear

I always believed that a nation’s character can be judged by the way they treat their animals. So, one of the first places we visited is the Beijing Zoo -- The appalling 50,000 square meters of hell and disgusting prison of over 8,000 of our animal friends!

The first creatures we looked for are those endemic to Southeast Asia. Because if I did find one, the zoo officials are gonna hear from me words that they couldn’t take… or understand! Ha!

We eventually found a sleepy little bear, groggy and walking awkward with its feet turned inwards. It is the Sun Bear!

The Sun Bear is one of our region’s living icons. It is the world’s smallest bear and can only be found in Southeast Asia – primarily in the tropical rainforests of Malaysia and Indonesia. Their territory also covers Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to Thailand in the south.

The Malaysians and Indonesians call them “Beruang Madu” – meaning the “Honey Bear”. And because of its size, others call it the “Dog Bear” because its full length is less than 4 feet. But how did the “Sun Bear” got its name? – Because of the “U”-shaped yellow-orange marking on its chest. A unique marking gave them the name. I know what you're thinking... why didn't they name 'em the "U" Bear? Or a "Horse-shoe" Bear!?... AHA! Let me tell you why... its the same reason your parents didn't name you Tinkerbell.

As all the bears in the world, the Sun Bear specie is vulnerable. Their population is declining fast.

Well, we all know the destruction of their habitat issue and the ridiculous Chinese bile-milking industry…but most of us are not aware that the Sun Bear is regarded as “nuisance”. People say they destroy private properties and plantations! THAT’S STUPID! If these people didn’t invade the Sun Bears territories, they wouldn’t have this problem in the first place! Ha!

One of my friends remarked that this small bear seem groggy and sleepy at zoos. Well, it’s because the Sun Bear is nocturnal. They are active at night and the zoos are forcing them to “entertain” the visitors at day time! Pffft!

The Sun Bear is one of the most neglected symbols of our region. It is the only one of the world's 8 species of bears that can only be found in our paradise. Let's not wait till its too late to save them.

Helarctos malayanus.

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TAMARAW: Half the Size, Twice as Fierce, Totally Rare

At first, it looks like a juvenile water buffalo. But if you look closely, not quite really. Before you go near it to do a little petting… you might wanna think twice -- This is the Tamaraw*! Waaaah! The rare dwarf buffalo known for its legendary fierceness.

One of Southeast Asia’s gems in the animal world can only be found in Mindoro Island in the Philippines. No other island, country or continent in the world has it. You are looking at one of the world’s rarest mammals!

The Tamaraw /tah-‘mah-‘rao/ was first described to science in 1888 by a French zoologist. It was classified as sub-specie of the Water Buffalo in 1958 and declared a new specie in 1969.


How is it different from a common carabao? Tamaraws are short and stocky, hairier, with gray-white markings on the face, hooves and inner front legs. Their horns are shorter, straight and resembles a “V”. They are solitary, shy and not very friendly. Oops! Change that to: “not friendly” AT ALL!

How rare is rare? Just 50 to 100 are estimated left in the wild. This is in stark contrast to 10,000 in the 1900s. A critically endangered species with a life span of only 20 years! Oh people, have mercy!

Why are they diminishing fast? I was told that Tamaraws were harvested for their meat! What? Who eats buffaloes? Honestly. -- And of course, loss of habitat. *sigh*

There is a law in the Philippines prohibiting the killing and even wounding a Tamaraw. It was passed in 1936. But still, the number of Tamaraw dwindled to what it is now.

Making laws are not enough! The Tamaraw is a national treasure and a symbol of the Philippines. When are going to start to care? When they are all gone? Can you take an extinct national symbol?

Save our forests. Save the Tamaraw.

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*Bulbalus mindorensis

THE LEGEND OF THE FIRE RHINO

Legend has it…that whenever there’s fire in the forest, big or small, a rhino would show up and stomp on it to put it out. The legend is as simple as that. But a few of us knew that this legend came from Southeast Asia.

They are called “Badak Api” in Malay folklore. Badak means “rhinoceros” and Api means “fire”. The Burmese also has a version of it. The “Fire Rhino” legend lived through the centuries.

The British picked up the legend from Malaya and Burma during their colonial occupation. They brought it with them to Europe. The legend even reached Africa in the height of the colonial era.

Most of us have also seen this legend in the movie The God Must Be Crazy – where a huge white rhino diligently stomp on fire started by the Bushman for cooking. LOL! Rhinos became an international mascot for fire fighters and fire extinguishers too!

But do rhinos REALLY stomp on fire?

Well, nobody knows. And that’s a fact!

There are no documented sightings of it in science.
No records, no reliable witness, no VHS tape,
no digital recordings, no 3Gs, no nothing.


Having said that… the legend of Badak Api lives on.

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SUMATRAN RHINO: The World's Most Special Rhino

Can you imagine a Rhino that can swim rivers and seas? They are known to be the “assault tanks” of the animal kingdom but have the agility of a deer? Whoa! This Rhino can run up and down steep hills and slopes, maneuver in the forest with great stealth and loves mangoes!

This is the Sumatran Rhinoceros – the world’s smallest living rhino and one of the world’s rarest mammals! It is said that only 300 of them are left in the wild.

In the early 1900s, these beautiful creatures used to roam the whole of Southeast Asia to the Himalayas in Bhutan, to eastern India, through Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. But now, they can only be found in Indonesia and Malaysia; in small packets of rainforests in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. These are the last of the Hairy Rhinoceros – their common name.

They are small, hairy, gray-brown and has 2 horns. They are in fact the only Asian Rhino with 2 horns. Their legs are covered with reddish-brown hair and stands 4’5” tall when fully matured. Baby Sumatran Rhinos are almost completely covered in fur!



The Sumatran Rhino is the most special of all rhino species. Why? Because they are the most ancient and pre-historic of all 5 species in the world. They first emerge 15 million years ago and closely related to the Woolly Rhino but not to modern species. They are living fossils!

The life span of captive rhinos is around 35 years. Captive breeding was set up by Indonesian and Malaysian governments but not very successful. They were declared critically endangered by IUCN in 1996. The number of Sumatran rhinos has declined 50% due to poaching in the last 10 years.

Save our rainforests. Save the Sumatran Rhino.

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*Photo credits: National Geographic, WWF

THE QUICK AND SMART MOUSE DEER

No, I’m not making fun of the 2008 Year of the Mouse (Rat or wha’ever) for our 2nd post of the year. I just thought that…uhm…well; I just wanted it to be our 2nd post. There! Get off me. Any ways…

If you ask me, the Mouse Deer is in the league of relatively giant Southeast Asian animals that embodies the people of our great region. My fascination to this clever animal was renewed on our recent visit to Palawan Island in the Philippines.

There are two kinds of ‘em in our region: the “Lesser”, found in Malaysia and Borneo; and the “Greater”, found in Palawan Islands and parts of Indonesia. The Lesser Mouse Deers of course, are the smallest. And they are in fact, the world’s smallest deer!

How small is small? A mature Mouse Deer is 18 inches tall and weighs 2kg! Aren’t they cute? They are no bigger than a rabbit with legs like a toothpick -- but extremely clever, gutsy and witty!

That’s why the Mouse Deer caught the admiration and respect of our ancestors; they are always the main character, the trickster or the protagonist of ancient fables and folklores! In Malay folklore, the Mouse Deer plays the role of the wily fox in the west.

They are called “Kancil” in Malaysia, “Pilandok” in the Philippines,“Napu” in Indonesia and “Chevrotain” in the west. Chevrotain actually means “little goat” in French. As if being a mouse and a deer is not confusing enough. Ha!

These cute little critters are herbivores; it means they are vegetarians *they eat tofu too?*. And they are more active at night roaming the forest floors to find fallen fruits as well *fruitarians as well?*. Cool!

As cute as they are – the Mouse Deer is NOT traded as pets. BUT illegal poachers raid them for bush meat! MEAT?!! Who eats it? Honestly. And of course, those dang illegal loggers clearing their habitat. *sigh* These are the main problems of our Mouse Deers.

If you own a blog, please do the right thing. Please feature our rare animal friends and create awareness.

Do a little part of preserving the Mouse Deer – Southeast Asia’s living treasures.


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Previously Featured SE Asian Rare Species:

Komodo Dragon, Butaan, Kouprey, Tarsier, Orangutan and Philippine Eagle.

THE KING OF BIRDS

Think of a bird that can cover you from head to toe when it spread its wings -- A really huge bird that can navigate its way through the forest and strike terror to any mammal living in it.

Think majesty. Think magnificence. Think raw power. – The Philippine Eagle.

The world’s largest (arguably) bird of prey can only be found in Southeast Asia, in a village called; the Philippines. Discovered by English naturalist Jeffery Whitehead more than a hundred years ago in 1896, it was first called the “Monkey-Eating Eagle” because it was thought that it only eat monkeys. *or somebody who look like one? LOL*

When scientists discovered other “monkey-eating” birds from Africa and South America, the name was changed to a more appropriate “Philippine Eagle”. Scientists also learned that these birds have a wide range of menu choices and doesn’t feed exclusively on monkeys *and look-alikes? =)*. It was declared the National Bird of the Philippines to promote awareness for its preservation.

BISEAN came to Davao to see this rare bird in flight. We were told that the sight is inspiring and people from all over the world come here just to get this rare chance. Sad to say... because alcohol is so cheap here…we are all too hanged-over to get up before lunch! *sigh*

Locals call it “Haribon” – from the Filipino words “Hari” (king) and “Ibon” (bird) or “Haring Ibon” (Bird King). Ooh! It’s a king indeed! Except the females, which are “queens” *smirk*

This raptor’s territory used to cover the whole of the Philippines from Luzon Island (north) to Mindanao Island (South). It is now more concentrated in the south and a discovery of a nest make national headlines!

The Philippine Eagle is threatened with extinction. Less than 500 pairs of ‘em are left in the wild. The problem isn’t by poaching or illegal wildlife traders this time; as Filipinos guard this national treasure with their lives. The main culprit is the destruction of their habitat which the main culprits are the same ones who guard them. The irony of it all.


From the common “Maya” (the common sparrow which can be found all over the world) to the rare, distinctive, powerful Philippine Eagle as a national bird…this says a lot about the Filipino as a nation. Learn from it.


The Philippine Eagle -- Treasure of Southeast Asia.

Click here.

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Previously Featured SE Asian Rare Species:

Komodo Dragon, Butaan, Kouprey, Tarsier and Orangutan.

ORANGUTAN: The People of the Forest

If Julia Roberts fell in love with these ginger-head beauties, why can’t we? We often see them in theme parks, in zoos and some of them are movie stars!

The only one, of the four great apes, that comes from Asia and to be more precise – only from our region. Orangutans are found only in Malaysia and Indonesia; endemic to the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. This geographical gap also separates them as 2 distinct species.

What’s in a name? Indigenous peoples of Indonesia and Malaysia call this ape "Orang Hutan" – “Orang” means person and “hutan” means forest, so "Man of the Forest". Legend has it that in the past, locals would not kill them because they thought the orangutan was actually a person hiding in the trees -- trying to avoid having to go to work or become a slave. *I think so too!*


They are special. Orangutans are highly intelligent with ability to reason and think. They share 97% of the same DNA with us. *Oh my! That’s why my neighbor looks familiar!* Orangutans are the largest tree-living mammals in the world. Even their bright reddish brown hair color is unique in the ape world! They can live up to 35-40 years in the wild and sometimes more than 50 in captivity.

What’s for dinner? Scientists are thinking that the orangutans must have a very detailed map of the forest in their mind -- And detailed knowledge of the fruiting cycles of many species of trees. The mothers must teach the babies what food to eat, where to find that food, in which trees and during which seasons. Their diet is made up of bark, leaves, flowers, a variety of insects, and most importantly, over 300 kinds of fruit! *I want to see photos of vegetarians please.*

You clever, you! When it rains really hard; they make an umbrella out of big leaves! When water is difficult to get, they chew leaves to make a sponge to soak up water in tree holes. Orangutans also make tools to help them search for food!

Calling for help. Bornean species of orangutans is highly endangered, and the Sumatran species is critically endangered. The Borneo population is estimated at about 50,000 in the wild, while the Sumatran species is estimated at 7,000-7,500. Only 20% of their habitat is left.

*start of rant* Illegal loggers are destroying their habitat. And those goddam miners too! I also don’t understand why people burn the forests? Nothing better to do? And those poachers! Do you know that they have to kill the mother of the baby Orangutan before they can steal it? Oh those b*stards! Why don’t they just sell their own babies as pets? BISEAN advocates the castration of illegal wildlife traders. Cut their balls and feed it to the crocodiles! *end of rant*

Please help to protect them by educating and creating awareness through your blog.
One blog post won’t hurt.

The Orangutans – citizens of Southeast Asia.


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Previously Featured SE Asian Rare Species:

*The KOMODO Dragons of Indonesia, *BUTAAN: Lost Dragons of the Philippines, *CAMBODIAN KOUPREY: Do They Still Exist?, *TARSIERS: The Adorable Little Hunters


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TARSIERS: The Adorable Little Hunters of Southeast Asia

Tarsiers are the smallest specie of primates found only in Southeast Asia. They are a cross between a lemur and a monkey. Tarsiers are so small; they can cling onto your thumb and stare at you without winking, for hours! Their signature look is those huge, creepy, terrifying eyes.

There are 7 distinct species of these cute critters -- and they live in the forests of Borneo, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Celebes, Bangka and Paleng Islands in Indonesia; Bohol and Mindanao Island in the Philippines. Only the Philippine Tarsier is endangered. The smallest is the Pygmy Tarsier of Indonesia.

These cute critters measures 3.5 – 6 inches from head to toe but its tail is 5-11 inches long. They weigh about 3 – 6 oz. only! Tarsiers are romantic and live mostly in pairs or small family groups. They jump from tree to tree and feed on insects, small birds, bats, lizards, and snakes! *Ha! Tough guy eh?* Yeah! They snack on venomous snakes too!

Although the Tarsiers can live to an average lifespan of 12 years, they are known to live short in captivity. They commit suicide when caged by banging its head on the metal railings. *Aww, poor thing!* So obviously... you shouldn’t buy or smuggle the poor creature because its gonna die anyway. Don’t try your luck dude.

Tarsiers are nocturnal creatures – they go out to party at night, hunt for victims as food and maybe surf the Internet afterwards until the sun is up. *I think I was referring to myself there*. Anyways…they use their big eyes for night vision and can do a Linda-Blair-180-degree head turn. *Amazing talent!*

45 million years ago, Tarsiers used to roam Europe, North America and Asia. They have the longest continuous fossil record than any other primate. Today, after millions of years – our region is home to this special creatures.

BISEAN advocates the criminalization and imposing harsher punishments to illegal traders of endangered species.

Example: Catching a Japanese or a Mexican buying a Tarsier must have their eyes pulled out, imprisoned for 50 years and shipped back to their own country on a box via DHL. Ha! Take that!



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Previously Featured SE Asian Rare Species:

*The KOMODO Dragons of Indonesia
*BUTAAN: Lost Dragons of the Philippines
*CAMBODIAN KOUPREY: Do They Still Exist?


* 3rd photo credit: Ken of Uncommon Photographers.
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THE CAMBODIAN KOUPREY: Do They Still Exist?

The Cambodian Kouprey (กูปรีหรือ) is a kind of ox living in the deep forests of Cambodia -- although there were sightings in Thailand, Vietnam and Laos too. These forest oxen are one of the most mysterious mammals in the animal world.

It was first discovered by Western science in 1937, since then, it was only sighted a couple of times. The last photograph of these elusive creatures was in 1950 and by 1970; there were fears that the species might have become extinct due to the wars during this period in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. But the last recorded sighting occurred in 1988.

“Kouprey” means... “forest bull" in Khmer, they are gray-colored with frayed horns and a long dewlap hanging around its neck. It's spectacular horns split when the animal matures, and continue growing distinctly thereafter. This fraying is believed to be the result of their being used for digging into the ground or thrusting into trees.

Due to the Kouprey’s enigma, ongoing debates of cryptozoologists (finders of lost species) is currently in progress whether it is totally a different bovine specie or a hybrid of the Indian Zebu and the Indonesian Banteng. But one thing is for sure, the Kouprey is endemic and distinctly Cambodian.

Prince Sihanouk designated it as the National Animal of Cambodia in the 1960s, partly due to its mystique. It may also prove to be one of the most genetically valuable animals on Earth, because of clues it may hold to disease resistance and general ability to survive in extremely harsh conditions.

The Cambodian Kouprey -- Treasure of Southeast Asia.
A monument of the Kouprey in Cambodia
showcasing its' spectacular horns.


Previously featured SE Asian Rare Species:

*The KOMODO Dragons of Indonesia
*BUTAAN: Lost Dragons of the Philippines

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