Movie night on Migrating birds

Dear members and friends,

You are invited for another movie night on Migrating Birds. Before the movie,  we have a short presentation by two student MNSKB Members,  Jason Teo Jia Hong and Batrisyia Teepol.

In August/September this year, MNS HQ funded  these 2 young members 

for their stay and accommodation,  while Kuching Branch sponsored their airfares and road transportation,  to participate in the Hornbill Volunteer Programme at Belum-Temonggor Forest Reserve in Perak.

Jason will share his experiences at the HVP. With the help of Professor Andrew Alec Tuen and Rose Au, MNSKB helped Batrisyia to secure a Conservation Leadership Programme sponsorship to study shorebirds at Bako-Buntal Bay for 1 year, August 2018- August 2019. Batrisyia will share what she has learned so far from the Programme.

Date : Wednesday 5^thDec 2018

Time: 7.30-9-30 PM At Discussion room (Please be on time)

Venue Islamic Information Centre.

 Please register latest on 4 Dec at mnskuching@gmail.com

Information about the movie.

Migrating Birds - Scouts of Distant World 

Director: Petra Hofer and Freddie Rockenhaus

Running Time: 90 minutes

Country: Germany 

Year 2016

Countries screened in: Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Namibia, Mali, Rwanda, South Africa

Every year billions of birds migrate from the northern summer breeding grounds to the southern overwintering grounds and every year billions of birds die on route. They starve, die of thirst, are killed by exhaustion or environmental poisons, by enemies, by winds, or by power lines. Despite this, the migrations take place year after year; generation after generation. This film shows the voyages of migratory birds with breathtaking aerial photography from the Arctic to Africa, from Siberia to Malaysia. It explains how the birds orientate themselves, why they migrate and how, for example,  a young stork finds the way to Africa even though he has never been there. 

It answers questions you may have or have not thought of. It will leave you with even greater respect for our feathered friends. It will get you to ask how we can be part of their journey and ensure birdsreach their destinations. 

Regards,

Cynthia Lobato

MNSKB Secretariat

Santubong All Summits Challenge Presentation

Dear members and friends,

You are invited to an exciting Santubong Challenge presentation by an avid Sarawakian hiker,  Ian Vong and his team members who hiked Mount Santubong from  27-28 October 2018.

This Challenge has never been attempted before and it  took about 40 hours to complete the 40 KM hike.

Date: Wednesday 14 Nov 2018

Time: 7.30-9.00

Place :Islamic Information Centre (Lower Baruk)

Speaker:Ian Vong 

About Ian Vong:

He is a  hiker who loves  challenging hiking  and the  breathtaking sceneries of  Borneo.

Mount Santubong is one of his favourite places to hike. From August 2017 until July 2018, Ian had   trekked and climbed a total of 45 times  to explore the entire Mount Santubong mountain range. 

The famous Mount Santubong summit (810 m) is the main  attraction for both locals and foreign trekkers. If you were to view from the side of the mountain there are 7 summits, with elevations ranging  from 450m to 850m above sea level.

Ian:  I love nature and I would like to do something meaningful by raising funds for the environment. If everyone were to participate and contribute a little, we can all save our environment.

Save Mother Nature. Heal the world before it's too late.

Campaign objectives:

-       Raise funds for Malaysian  Nature Society.

-       Promote the etiquettes of hiking.

Please register at mnskuching@gmail.com.  The  last day to register is Tuesday 13 Nov.

Regards,

Cynthia Lobato

MNSKB Secretariat

Talk: Primates in Sarawak and the Globally Threatened Red-Banded Langurs of Maludam, Sarawak.

Dear members and friends,

MNS  Kuching Branch and WCS  have arranged for Dr Elizabeth Bennett to give a talk on Primates in Sarawak and the Globally Threatened Red-Banded Langurs of Maludam, Sarawak. 

Date: Wednesday 24 October

Time :7pm (Please be on time)

Venue: Lecture Theatre (L001) Swinburne University. 

There will be people there to show  direction to the venue.

Parking is Free

About the speaker

Elizabeth Bennett is the Vice President for Species Conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). She received her Ph.D. from Cambridge University, UK, for research on the ecology of primates in Peninsular Malaysia. She moved to Sarawak, Malaysia,  in 1984, and worked there for the next 18 years. This started by conducting the first ever detailed field study of the proboscis monkey, followed by studies of the effects of hunting and logging on wildlife. Her time in Sarawak culminated in her leading a team, with WCS and Sarawak Government staff, to write a comprehensive wildlife policy for the State, and subsequently to head a unit within the Government to oversee its implementation. She then became Director, Hunting and Wildlife Trade Program at WCS. This included working with WCS field staff to develop strategies to address the bushmeat trade in Central Africa and the illegal wildlife trade in China. Her current role involves overseeing WCS’s species conservation programs globally. Liz has trained wildlife practitioners at many levels, including post-graduate students and government wildlife staff in Sarawak, Sabah, Myanmar and China. She has published widely, with more than 130 scientific and popular publications. Her services to conservation have been recognized by her being awarded the “Golden Ark” award by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, “Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire” (MBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, D.Sc. (honoris causa) by Nottingham University, and and Merdeka Award for Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia.

• Pre registration  is required and NO WALK-INS. Last day to register is Monday 22 October since we have to order refreshments. 
• Email to register mnskuching@gmail.com
• Only those on registration list are welcome to join us for refreshments.

Hope to see you there and don't miss it.

Regards,

Cynthia Lobato

MNSKB Secretariat

The Science of Rabies

Day and Date: Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Venue: Lime Tree Hotel, Jalan Abell, Kuching
Time: 7:30 to 9:00 pm

The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) are jointly organising an awareness talk about rabies, The Science of Rabies. The talk will be held at the Lime Tree Hotel, Jalan Abel, Kuching, on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at 7.30pm.

The speaker, Dr Samuel Kiyui, graduated from University Pertania Serdang in 1978 as a veterinary, and is the owner of Country Veterinary Centre, here in Kuching. He is an active member of MNS and SSPCA.

Rabies, a potentially fatal viral disease, hit the headlines in June 2017, when it spread to Sarawak. Dr Samuel aims to develop our understanding of the different types of rabies, the mechanisms by which it spread, and ways in which it affects different species. He will discuss rabies from the scientific perspective. 

SSPCA has since June of last year, worked closely with government agencies including city or town councils and the Department of Veterinary Services, to increase not only awareness of the disease, but to stop the spread of rabies. Datin Dona Drury-Wee, President of SSPCA, will discuss this as well as other work which they do.

Registration:MNSKB Members, please register with Secretariat at mnskuching@gmail.com

Cost:Free Admission Please bring your friends to this interesting talk.

Best regards,

MNSKB Secretariat

Notice of AGM on 8th July 2018

Dear Members

Please find attached herewith the  Notice of AGM of MNS Kuching Branch on 8th July 2018. This will be followed by refreshments.

The term of the MNS Kuching  Branch Committee has been extended to 2 years instead of 1 year since last year.

 Hence, there will only be an Annual General Meeting but no ELECTION at the forthcoming  Annual General Meeting  of MNS Kuching Branch 

• Please register your attendance with mnskuching@gmail.com to help us make seating and refreshments arrangements latest on 7 July.

PERSATUAN PENCINTA ALAM MALAYSIA

MALAYSIAN NATURE SOCIETY KUCHING BRANCH

P O BOX A144 Kenyalang Park

93824 Kuching Sarawak

 Email:  mnskuching@gmail.com

NOTICE OF 23^RD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

Notice is hereby given that the 23^rd  Annual General Meeting of Malaysian Nature Society 

Kuching Branch will be held at Telang Usan Hotel, Ban Hock Road, 93732 Kuching, Sarawak

 on

Sunday   8^th July 2018 at 2.00pm

AGENDA

1.	Adoption of the Agenda for the previous Annual General Meeting
2.	To approve and adopt Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting
3.	To consider Matters Arising from the previous  Annual General Meeting
4.	Kuching Branch’s  Report
5.	Treasurer’s Report
6.	To consider and adopt the Audited Financial Statements for the financial year ended 31st May 2018

Any other matters can be brought to the attention of the Honorary Secretary of  Malaysian Nature Society  Kuching Branch  in writing at least one (1)  week before the Annual General Meeting.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Audrey Anak Dominic  Neng

Secretariat

MNS Kuching Branch

Talk: Southeast Asia and migratory birds – how can we better conserve them?

Dear members and friends,

You are invited to a public awareness Talk.

Title: Southeast Asia and migratory birds – how can we better conserve them?

Speaker: Yong Ding Li (Author of 125 Best Birdwatching Sites in South East Asia will be launched in August 2018)
Date: Friday 29 June 2018

Time: 7.30-9.00pm

Venue: Islamic Information Centre (Lower Baruk)

Jalan Ong Tiang Swee (behind Swinburne University)

Registration: MNSKB Members and friends, please register with Secretariat at mnskuching@gmail.com

Cost: Free Admission
Please bring your friends to this interesting talk.

Southeast Asia and migratory birds – how can we better conserve them?

Southeast Asia is a region steeped in exceptionally high levels of biodiversity, including charismatic animals ranging from the Orang Utan to the hornbills. Less known to people many are the migratory birds. Many of these migratory birds arrive in the region every year from August onward, adding colours and live to forests, coasts and even many of the paddyfields that dot the region. Many of these birds, including hawks, shorebirds and flycatchers would have travelled many thousands of kilometres to get here. In this talk, Yong Ding Li will talk about the phenomenon of bird migration in Southeast Asia, with a special focus on Borneo. Besides the science, Ding Li will also present on the threats faced by migratory birds, some of the work led by BirdLife to conserve migratory species, and why migratory birds creates new opportunities for wildlife conservation and ecotourism in Sarawak. 

About the speaker

Yong Ding Li oversees migratory bird conservation work at BirdLife International’s Asia regional office. Through this role, Ding Li works closely with the Malaysian Nature Society and other BirdLife partners on bird conservation projects, particularly that on shorebirds.

Before completing his doctoral work on conservation biology at the Australian National University, Ding Li was involved in a number of bird research and conservation projects in Malaysia (Terengganu, Sabah), Indonesia (Sumatra, Sulawesi), the Philippines (Mindanao) and Singapore. He is author of four books, including the upcoming ‘Best 125 Birdwatching Sites in Southeast Asia’ and 40 peer-reviewed papers.

Regards,

Cynthia

MNSKB  Secretariat 

MNSKB Report Jan-April 2018

Latest Birdbrochure done by MNSKB

In conjunction with STB and SFC.

Copyright MNSKB

Man meets frog Talk by Prof Indraneil Das and Sing Tyan Pang

Dear members and friends,

You are invited to a talk Man meets frog Talk by Prof Indraneil Das and Sing Tyan Pang

Date:    Thursday 12 April 2018

Venue:  Lower Baruk, Islamic Information Centre, Jalan Ong Tiang Swee, Kuching

Time:    7.30pm - 9.00pm

Admission is free.

​

Man Meets Frog

 by Prof Indraneil Das

How humans interact with the natural world is a fascinating area of study. Man’s relationship with amphibians is an ancient one, and in this talk, we shall examine how different cultures perceive the humble katak.

The International Bornean Frog Race

Sing Tyan Pang

Pang will present on the International Bornean Frog Race, the 7^th edition of which is planned for 28 April 2018, at the Matang Wildlife Centre. A registration booth will be set up at the site for MNS members and others to join.

In order to facilitate seating arrangements, please reply by return email  mnskuching@gmail.com if you wish to attend the talk.

Thank you & best regards,

Cynthia Lobato

MNSKB Secretariat

Proboscis Monkey: Diseases & Conservation

Dear Members and friends,

You are invited to a public awareness Talk.

Title:         Proboscis Monkey:Diseases & Conservation

Speaker:    Dr Chong Yee Ling

Date:        Thursday 29 March 2018

Time:        7.30-9.00pm

Venue:      Islamic Information Centre (Lower Baruk)

                 Jalan Ong Tiang Swee (behind Swinburne University)

Registration:  MNSKB Members and friends, please register with Secretariat at mnskuching@gmail.com

Cost:    Free Admission

            Please bring your friends to this interesting talk.

Talk on Proboscis Monkey:  Diseases & Conservation

Speaker

Dr Yee Ling Chong has a background in molecular ecology of RNA viruses and bacteria. Her general research focuses on animal disease ecology. She is conducting multi-disciplinary research on microparasites (viruses and bacteria) and macroparasites of wild and urban animals including primates, rodents, birds, fishes and pest insects.

 Summary of Talk

Proboscis monkey (Nasalislarvatus)is an endemic species found in Borneo and is currently considered as an endangered species under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is a highly selective feeder and its diets consists of fruits and leaves from over 90 species of plants. The habitats of the proboscis monkey are often associated with waterway, either the coastal or riparian-riverine ecosystem, which include the mangrove forests, riverine forests, beach forests, peat swamp forests and mixed dipterocarp forests.

Proboscis monkeys are constantly facing conservation threats, mainly habitat loss due to activities, such as fish or shrimp farm cultivation, logging and town developments. The current endangered status of proboscis monkey and its susceptibility to microbial infection has brought forward the need  to gain an  insight into the enteric microbiome of this monkey.

 This talk will highlight the diet and feeding habitats of proboscis monkeys, their common diseases and enteric microflora, associated with a variety of bacteria and viruses, some of which have known or suspected zoonotic potentials. The understanding of the enteric microflora of proboscis monkeys is imperative to expedite future disease diagnosis and outbreak monitoring for the conservation of this endangered species.

Regards,

Cynthia Lobato

MNS Secretariat