(MY) 2 articles in this page - exotic catch & rhinos

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Thursday January 26, 2006

 

RM6,000 for alligator fish

 

ALOR STAR: The farmer who caught the alligator gar fish last week has

sold his catch to a businessman from Kuala Lumpur for RM6,000.

 

Abdul Razak Zain, 33, said the private collector visited him after the

story about the fish appeared in The Star on Jan 22.

 

" I decided to sell the fish because I cannot rear it. The fish was

showing signs of fatigue and losing its appetite after days of being

kept in a small tank, " said Abdul Razak, who caught the fish at Sungai

Pasir in Kampung Pasir, Mukim Naga, near Jitra on Jan 20.

 

The fish could have escaped from a private pool during last month's

flood in Kedah, Underwater World Langkawi Sdn Bhd aquarium manager Tan

Eng Kok said.

 

Underwater World Langkawi is home to 10 alligator gar fish, weighing

between 7kg and 10kg.

 

Tan said a foot-long alligator gar fish would cost between RM700 and RM800.

 

Exotic fish enthusiasts can find it at pet shops or aquariums but the

fish needs a big tank.

 

" A normal 4ft tank is not suitable to keep such fish in, " he said.

" Its behaviour is similar to that of a shark. It will not attack

unless provoked. "

 

 

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Thursday January 26, 2006

 

 

Keeping watch on endangered rhinos

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The WWF together with the Sabah Wildlife Department and

the Sabah Foundation, plan to set up a monitoring and survey team to

gather information on rhinos in the state.

 

WWF International special adviser for Heart of Borneo Programme Datuk

Dr Mikaail Kavanagh said the team would likely be based at the Danum

Valley as the presence of the team would also deter poachers.

 

He said the data obtained would help the team develop specific

recommendations related to Sumatran rhino conservation for

incorporation into forest management plans, including the New Danum

Valley management plan.

 

" High technology will be used to monitor the habitat and a detailed

strategic survey will be carried out to gather biological data, " he

said during the Honda-WWF Malaysia cheque presentation ceremony here

yesterday.

 

Honda Malaysia and WWF Malaysia are initiating a five-year project

called " Rhino Rescue " that will help efforts to protect the Sumatran

rhi-no.

 

WWF estimates that the number of Sumatran rhinos, considered

endangered animals, has declined by half due to poaching over the last

10 years.

 

It is believed that fewer than 300 Sumatran rhinos exist in the world,

with the last significant range in Malaysia and Indonesia.