Press Release: New Public Resource to Assist Limestone Conservation Efforts in Malaysia

Limestone outcrops in Kedah, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, 2 September 2021 – Researchers have just released a publicly accessible online resource that contains the most comprehensive information on Malaysia’s limestone hills to date. Containing detailed maps, photos, and data in the form of 7 separate eBooks, the resource is titled ‘Conservation of Limestone Ecosystems of Malaysia’.

Limestone hills harbour unique biodiversity and provide numerous ecosystem services to humans, but face intensifying disturbances from forest loss, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development. In the National Policy of Biological Diversity 2016-2025, the protection and restoration of limestone ecosystems are listed as one of the 17 national biodiversity targets.

In order to find out which limestone hills warrant urgent protection, a team of researchers felt the need to create a public database that includes information on their location, biodiversity, surrounding land use and extent of habitat disturbance.

With the help of satellite images, drone technology and ground verification, researchers have now accurately mapped 1393 limestone hills in Malaysia, with 911 located in Peninsular Malaysia, and 482 in Malaysian Borneo.

“After two years of analysis, compiling information, and travelling more than 22,000 km, I think we now have an almost complete picture of how Malaysia’s limestone hills are doing.” said Foon Junn Kitt, Project Coordinator of Rimba’s Project Limestone, who led the intensive field surveys.

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Bat Week 2020: The Secret Life of Durian Trees

As part of our Project Pteropus outreach efforts, we teamed up with insanely talented Malaysian artist Novia Shin, and Penang-based production house Hatchtag Media, to create a short animated video on bat pollination of durian: ‘The Secret Life of Durian Trees’, based on the results of Dr. Sheema‘s PhD research on Tioman Island.

This video was first released during last year’s Bat Week, but was a nominee for the Best Animation Award at the recent 13th International Kuala Lumpur Eco Film Festival (KLEFF 2020). If you haven’t seen this already, watch it to see what happens in a durian orchard at night! And, it’s also available in Malay and Mandarin!

Facebook: @novia.shin @HatchTag @KLEFFMY
Instagram: @novia_shin @kleffmy
Twitter: @KLEFFMY

Friends in Malaysia: this is your last chance to snag some bat swag by following us on social media, sharing any of our #BatWeek2020 posts with the correct 3 hashtags, and tagging at least 3 friends! We’ll start picking winners after today! Hope you all had a Happy Bat Week and will continue to help us celebrate bats long after this! 🦇🦇🦇

Bat Week 2020: Support a Bat-Friendly Durian Farm

Support a bat-friendly durian farm near you – or even further away! Part of our work in Project Pteropus involves partnering with durian farmers to conduct research and education on the importance of bat pollination for durian trees. We’re working closely with farmers to highlight the economic value of bat pollination services for the durian industry.

Check out our partner durian farms – Green Acres, Durian Kaki, Terra Tropika Agriculture, Zhong Cheng Durian Farm, Mizi Agro Farm and Karak Organic Durian Farm – who have been so receptive and supportive of our work. Special mention to Bilut Hills Farmstay for being so welcoming to us too! Look out for them during the next durian season and be sure to pay these bat-friendly farms a visit for your top-grade durian fix! And don’t forget to follow Lindsay Gasik’s Year Of The Durian for all your durian intel!

Facebook: @Greenacresorchard  @duriankakipenang @terratropikaagriculture @ZhongChengDurianFarm @miziagrofarm @KarakOrganicDurianFarm @Biluthillsfarmstay @YearOfTheDurian

Instagram: @greenacresorchard @durian_kaki_penang @terratropikaagriculture @miziagrofarm @biluthills.farmstay @durianwriter

Artwork by Rohan Chakravarty of Green Humour.

Facebook: @GreenHumour
Instagram: @green_humour
Twitter: @green_humour & @thetoonguy

And remember, if you’re in Malaysia and have followed us on social media: sharing this post with the correct 3 hashtags + tagging 3 friends is another entry into our GIVEAWAY!