Elisa Panjang
pangolin expert
Pangolin Santuary
Tawau Hills Park
Pangolin santuary to be Sabah's new wildlife tourist attraction
June 24, 2019 @ 5:27pm
www.nst.com.my/news
A pangolin sanctuary, to be established within the protected Tawau Hills
National Park, is set to become Sabah’s new wildlife tourist attraction.
The sanctuary will also serve as a research centre
Funded by Arizona Sabah Pangolin Sanctuary and Research Institute (Sapsari) with
an initial start-up investment of RM1 million, the sanctuary is an effort by the
state government to further protect arguably the world’s most poached and
trafficked animal.
Tawau was picked as a suitable location for the pangolin sanctuary because it has a vast forest suitable place for pangolins because there’s plenty of food supplies there in the form of insects such as termites and ants.
Elisa Panjang
pangolin expert
so we can have a proper outfit there because the sanctuary will also serve as
a research centre. It is expected to assist the wildlife department and
researchers to have better data on pangolin population and behaviour,” she said
today.
The establishment of the sanctuary between Sapsari and Sabah Wildlife
Department. The sanctuary would be run by locals and Sabah Wildlife Department
in particular.
Sapsari was represented by its founder and chief executive officer Peter Chan,
while Sabah Wildlife was represented by its director Augustine Tuuga.
“.....Sabah has a vibrant eco-tourism industry and well-educated people. This
sanctuary is not just a Sabah project but a global one. I am confident Sabah can
take the lead in pangolin conservation efforts......” Peter Chan
Peter Chan
Founder of Sabah Pangolin Sanctuary and Research Institute
(SAPSARI)
In Sabah, it is estimated there are slightly more than 1,000 pangolins left in the wild. The animal is hunted for its meat (exotic food), scales (traditional medicine) and skin (accessories).
