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Habitatnews 2003-17: Tuesday, 1st July 2003
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Nature-related news for the busy Singaporean.
Information and archives at: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg
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Contents
- “Nature at our Doorstep” Episode III, 3rd July 2003: 9.30pm
- Biodiversity of Singapore Symposium, 11-12 July 2003
- Faces of Changi – note date change to 17th & 24th July 2003
- Another Malayan Colugo sighted – this time at MacRitchie
- Decline of the leatherback turtle in Malaysia.
- New species discoveries in Australasian waters
---> [1] Film Formations’ series, “Nature at our Doorstep”
Episode III: Thu 3rd July 2003, Mediacorp TV12 Arts Central, 9.30pmPiece segment. Yandi takes us to the offshore landfill island of Pulau
Semakau where he finds pristine ancient mangroves and a wealth of marine
life. Expect to see the funny fiddlers, sandy mangroves and sea grass beds,
and an interview with Prof Leo Tan (Chairman NParks and Director, NIE).
In Green Shop, green vehicles are featured as environmentally friendly,
practically emission-free modes of transportation. Featured are two cars,
the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid. Also featured are the trial-run
taxis that run on Compressed Natural Gas.
In Profile, the man of the moment this week is Grant Pereira of the Green
Volunteers Network. This long-time activist talks about the fight for
conservation in modern day Singapore.
Walking with Nigel has an encounter with a Colugo and checks out some Bukit
Timah specialities, the Singapore Fern and the Bat Lily.
Tree Climbing is the topic of the week in The Great Outdoors. Follow the
Sunny Island Tree Climbers and Yandi as they scale to greater heights in a
sport that is fast gaining popularity around the world.”
--- Episode III synopsis by Samantha Sng & Melissa Ong:
---> [2] Ochre Pictures Private Limited special on Changi, July 2003
This series explores the colourful heritage of Changi, both past and
present, and what it means to the different people who have come to regard
as it as part of their lives.,
“Faces of Changi” on Channel News Asia
Faces Of Changi (S), Episode 1
Thu 17 Jul: 8:30pm
Fri 18 Jul: 10:34am
Fri 18 Jul: 3:34am
Sat 19 Jul: 7:00am
Mon 21 Jul: 5:30pm
Faces Of Changi (S), Episode 2
Thu 24 Jul: 8:30pm,
Fri 25 Jul: 10:34am
Fri 25 Jul: 3:34pm
Sat 26 Jul: 7:00am
Mon 28 Jul: 5:30pm
---> [3] Biodiversity of Singapore Symposium 2003 incorporating
the launch of the Chek Jawa Guidebook
http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/biodiversitysymposium/ Get an insight into research, management, education and conservation of
biodiversity in Singapore on 11-12th July 2003 at NUS. It is also an
excellent opportunity for networking, and catching up with old friends in
NSS, NParks, SEC, SIBiol, NIE, NUS, etc!
The Chek Jawa Guidebook will be on sale at the symposium launch for $15 at a
20% discount. The publisher and distributor are donating all their proceeds
that day to the NParks Garden City Fund for conservation efforts at Chek
Jawa.
Register at: http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/biodiversitysymposium/
---> [4] Cynthia’s encounter with the Malayan Colugo at MacRitchie
29 June 2003: MacRitchie nature trail via SICC Bukit course, 300 m from
reserve barrier. Specimen on tree trunk 6 metres from ground. approximately
0.7 metres long and appeared to be in healthy condition.
“I was with a group of Japanese scientists from IMCB and Subaraj Rajathurai
bird-watching at MacRitchie via the SICC Bikit course. Was there by 6.15 am
and waited till sunrise. As rain threatened at about 9.30 am, we were about
300 m from the reserve barrier at the end of the road from SICC Bukit
course. Subaraj, with a flourish, directed our attention to a colugo on the
side of a tree.
The tree was right by the side of the track and colugo was a beautiful
animal, in seemingly perfect condition and health bright eyes and all, about
0.7 m long, on the tree trunk about 6 m from the ground. Pictures taken but
waiting to see if the light was sufficient for a good pic.”
--- Cynthia Lee
Some facts about the Malayan Colugo (Cynocephalus variegatus):
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/cynocephalus/c._variegatus$narrative.html
If you records of sightings of the Malayan Colugo, please email Norman Lim,
an NUS honours student who is studying them at: behumane@...
---> [5] Decline of the leatherback turtle in Malaysia
"Decline of the giants", story and pictures by HILARY CHIEW
The Star, Thu 1st July 2003
http://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2003/7/1/features/hrbing&sec=featuresFor decades the giant leatherbacks of Rantau Abang in Terengganu were a
crowd-puller as nesting females drew tourists by the thousands. But today,
the beaches are deserted. The impending extinction of the leatherback has
brought scientists and policy makers to examine what went wrong, and start
the course to protect other viable turtle species.
"No more compromises" by HILARY CHIEW
The Star, Thu 1st July 2003
http://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2003/7/1/features/hrfuture&sec=features'“Forget about the leatherback. It is almost impossible (to recover the
species). We will be better off if we concentrate on the greens and
hawksbills. Time and money are not on our side,” opines WWFM’s Government
and Aid Agency Partnership director Kevin Hiew.'
---> [6] New species discoveries in Australasian waters
"Weird ocean life surprises" by David Whitehouse
BBC News Online, 24 June 2003
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3017078.stm'According to Mark Norman, of Victoria Museum in Australia, the survey
around Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands was the most complex research
expedition ever conducted in Australasia. "Many species new to science were
recognised, including new sharks and rays, redfish, rattails, and a range of
invertebrates," he says.' Not to mention the wonkey-eyed jewel squid! - Ed.
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