PENCINTA ALAM

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NEWSLETTER OF THE MALAYSIAN NATURE SOCIETY

www.mns.my

February 2016

Common Misconceptions about Snakes Contributed by Steven Wong, Coordinator, MNS SB Herp Group

1. Snakes are aggressive creatures that are out to get you. Snakes are actually docile creatures that would escape when encountered. They will not chase down people and bite them. They risk injuring themselves when attacking something that is larger than they are and venom is very energetically expensive to produce. When cornered or restrained, most snakes will act defensively. Otherwise, almost all snakes will escape if they are given the chance to.

Fig 2 : Oriental Vine Snakes have angular heads, but are completely harmless.

2. Snakes with triangular heads are venomous This misconception stems from the fact that vipers (which are venomous) have an angular head with a sharp snout that looks roughly triangular. However, there are another group of snakes that are highly venomous but have blunt snouts, the elapids which include the cobras, kraits and coral snakes (Fig 1). Some snakes such as the Oriental Vine Snake have very angular heads, but are in fact, harmless (Fig 2). Fig 1 : Red-headed Kraits have blunt heads but are deadly venomous.

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5. Snakes will exact revenge on people who have killed the snakes’ mates

3. Colourful snakes are venomous This misconception comes from the fact that some snakes have bright colours that serve as a warning to would-be predators. However, not all venomous snakes have bright colouration. Many have plain solid colours or camouflage patterns that allows them to hunt with greater ease. For example, the Monocled Cobra (Fig 3) is solid black or brown, and the Siamese Pit-Vipers (Fig 4) can be plain green. The Twin-barred Flying Snake (Fig 5) though brightly coloured, is non-venomous and completely harmless.

There is no scientific evidence to show that snakes can recognise faces or can process complex concepts like friendship and vengeance. Furthermore, most snakes are solitary creatures, only meeting with others during mating season. Fig 3 : Monocled Cobras are not very colourful but they are very venomous.

4. I can prevent snakes from entering my house/campsite by putting sulphur around it Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that snakes are repelled by sulphur. The only way of lowering the chance of a domestic snake encounter is to remove their food source i.e. rats. Snakes are also attracted to dark and cool holes and crevices.

Fig 4 : Siamese Pit-Vipers are completely green, they too are deadly venomous as well.

Fig 5 : Although brightly coloured, the Twin-barred Flying Snake is harmless.

6. Snakes are attracted to and will give chase to artificial lighting. Again, there is no evidence to show that snakes are attracted to artificial lighting. If anything, they are repelled by it. It is possible that this myth has come about from nocturnal sightings of snakes by people with artificial lighting. Modern LED lights are without a doubt, brighter than flame torches or fuel lanterns. Improved visibility when trekking at night has perhaps improved the odds sighting snakes at night.

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More animals of the Zodiac becoming endangered?

Our monkeys are at risk

The disappearing goat At the beginning of the Lunar Year of the Goat (Pencinta Alam March 2015 Issue), I dedicated the year to our only native goat, the Sumatran Serow, classified as an endangered species whose population is on the decline due partly to deforestation and illegal poaching. Recently, an appearance by this animal in a residential area created a buzz on social media, more as a curiosity item, although the sighting will support calls from the public for greater account of the Government’s development projects that encroach on nature reserves. The plight of the tiger The Malayan tiger, Panthera tigris jacksoni, is found only in the Malay Peninsula. In the 1950s, there were an estimated 3,000 tigers in Peninsular Malaysia. Today, only about 300 Malayan tigers are believed to remain, but no one knows for certain. MYCAT (Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers) was set up to jointly implement the National Tiger Conservation Action Plan for Malaysia, with the primary goal of recovering the population of tigers. We, the public, can play our part in supporting this programme through financial contribution by purchasing the MYCAT 2016 Calendar. (See purchase information on Page 11). No more monkey business As the Year of the Monkey swings in this coming New Lunar Year, we learn that our primates are also being threatened with extinction. We often get the impression that the opposite is true, as we see those gangs of macaques roaming our back gardens, parks and trails, and pole-dancing on our telephone and power lines. Apparently, 7 of the 17 primates of Malaysia are endangered as reported by The Star (“Our monkeys are at risk”, The Star January 6, 2016). There’s every possibility, however remote, that some of the animals in the Zodiac cycle may become extinct in time to come. The Editor

Image source: The Star

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Masters of extortion THE grizzled guardian blocked the scuffed trail, an upturned palm demanding payment. Midway up the summit of Mt Bongao in the southern Philippines, our team stares right back, the air thick and tense. No one moves. It’s a test of wills, a face-off in the middle of the jungle. One which we can’t let a macaque win.

Masters of monkey business By Gregg Yann http://actionasia.com/articles/masters -of-monkey-business Cunning and immensely resourceful, some species of Asia’s near-ubiquitous macaque are experts at carving out a niche in our crowded region.

Inside the sun-flecked gloom of the jungle, the starefest continues. It’s been two minutes and neither party has budged. The old monkey bares its teeth, screeches and unleashes its final move – it scratches its balls.

Versatile, ferocious marauders FROM the peaks of Hong Kong to the temples of Bali, macaque monkeys have proved to be hardy generalists, showing an innate ability to adapt and thrive across a range of environments, screeching and scratching their way to become Asia’s most widespread primates, next to humans.

“We should give it an offering,” finally relents our teammate, Munir Hamsaji, tossing him a piece of bread. Victorious, the guardian of Mt Bongao – a greying, bearded Long-tailed Macaque – snatches the treat and hoots off into the darkness, allowing us to continue to the peak. ‘No wonder they’re so successful,’ I shrug. ‘They’re masters of extortion.’ We push up the mountain. Monkey one, climbers zero.

Among the most familiar are the snack-snatching Long-tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis), onsen-loving Japanese Macaques (M. fuscata), and Southern Pig-tailed Macaques (M. nemestrina), some of which in Malaysia, have been trained to harvest coconuts. Classified as ‘Old World Monkeys’ because their noses face downward and they lack prehensile tails, macaques are diurnal and omnivorous. Most have long tails, some have short ones, while others have none. Weight varies from the 10kilogram Sri Lankan Toque Macaques (M. sinica), to Tibetan Macaques (M. thibetana), which can tip the scales at 30 kilograms.

Images source: actionasia.com

Ever on the lookout for a meal, macaques greedily gobble up succulent fruits, jawbreaking seeds and the occasional meaty treat. In Thailand and Myanmar, they’ve even been known to use crude stone tools to break open nuts, clams and all sorts of shellfish. Typically residing in mountains and lowland forests near water, the sneaky simians are encroaching into cities, having become more and more accustomed to humans. Continue on next page...

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Masters of monkey business …..continued from previous page In Hong Kong, public feeding plus a lack of natural predators have caused populations of Rhesus Macaques (M. mulatta) and Long-tailed Macaques to become bold and even aggressive. Both species were introduced in the 20th century; the Rhesus were brought in to eat a poisonous plant that was feared to contaminate the city’s water supply, while the Long-tailed Macaques are said to be descendants of passing circus performers. Significant interbreeding has since occurred, and almost a third of Hong Kong’s macaque population is now a hybrid between the two species. In India, where devout Hindus worship the monkey god Hanuman, rambunctious macaques are known to charge and bite people – especially if there’s a chance to get food. On the resort island of Bali, Long-tailed Macaques are the main attraction at Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest, where a lack of natural predators and sustained feeding has resulted in a high proportion of obese monkeys. Those living near the cliff-top temple of Uluwatu, another popular tourist site, have similarly lost their fear of humans, and are known to steal sunglasses, hats, money and even cameras. As urban monkey and human populations grow, monkey encounters will become increasingly common. Solutions range from minimising public feeding to neutering wild macaques, which is the approach taken in Hong Kong.

Image source: youtube.com

Close encounters BUT what should you do when you come face-toface with a macaque? If it’s being sold, tip off your local wildlife protection agency immediately as many species are legally protected and make poor pet choices due to their aggression and unpredictability. In the off chance that a monkey attacks you, try standing your ground at first before retreating slowly, facing it. Bites and scratches – even small ones – can be dangerous because the great majority carry either rabies or the herpes B virus – both potentially fatal for humans. Monkey bites practically guarantee infection because of the amount of bacteria in their mouths. When bitten, swiftly clean the bite with soap and water for around 20 minutes and immediately consult a doctor. Despite their resemblance to us, always treat monkeys as wild animals. Never offer a wild monkey a treat – unless of course it’s blocking your path up a sacred mountain.

Macaques of Asia ACROSS the region, 21 species of macaques inhabit a wide assortment of habitats. Some live in trees, though most spend their lives on the ground. On the IUCN Red List, two species are listed as critically endangered, four are endangered, while another eight are vulnerable. This is largely due to habitat loss from commercial logging and land clearance for agriculture and oil palm plantations. In Sulawesi, the Celebes Crested Macaque is even hunted for bushmeat. Here we outline a few of the notable species: Southern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina) – found across Borneo, Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula and Thailand. Grows to 55 centimetres and averages 10 kilograms. They are known for their short, upright tails, resembling pig’s tails.

Celebes Crested Macaque (Macaca nigra) – native to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, plus small neighbouring islands. Grows to 60 centimetres and averages 11 kilograms. Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) – Tolerant of a wide range of habitats, including mountain regions up to 2,500 metres high, it has the widest geographic range of any nonhuman primate. The Rhesus is distributed from Afghanistan to southern China, through the Indian subcontinent and Indochina. Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) – the most common macaque species in Southeast Asia, also called the Crab-eating Macaque for its habit of foraging on the beaches. Known for being unusually bold and aggressive when searching for food – even raiding homes and opening refrigerators. This article is reproduced from Action Asia’s website.

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Green Living Advocacy

Arial view of Taman Rimba Ampang (Source: THE STARMETRO)

Letter to the Editor

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION WILL HASTEN WILDLIFE EXTINCTION MALAYSIAN social media was set abuzz in the past few days over photographs of a displaced Sumatran serow (Capricornis sumatraensis) in a residential neighbourhood in Ukay Perdana, not far from Taman Rimba Ampang which has recently been closed to the public to facilitate the construction of the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE). Although the sighting of the rare mammal constituted proof of the existence of serows in the forests of Selangor, concerned citizens, environmental activists and wildlife experts expressed their fear that this incident is only the beginning in the irreversible process of destruction of wildlife habitats and the continued displacement, endangerment and local extinction of wildlife once construction of the EKVE begins in earnest. The Sumatran serow is already described in the IUCN Red List as being vulnerable, endangered and in significant decline due to overhunting and habitat loss.

Wildlife sighting in urban areas is not cute. It is a sign that habitats are destroyed and fragmented, and wildlife are unable to find food and water, establish territory or reproduce. Wild animals wandering into urban areas are at risk of being poached, poisoned, harassed by people or domestic animals and injured and killed by motor vehicles. Environmental organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund, Forest Stewardship Council and Global Forest Watch have long reported that road and highway construction play a large role in causing habitat and biodiversity loss and species extinction. In their 2002 paper “What Drives Tropical Deforestation?”, scientists Helmut Geist and Eric Lambin reported that overland transport infrastructure, that is, road and highway construction, accounted for 72% of tropical deforestation.

Although the Selangor State Government claims that there is a list of conditions drawn up by the Drainage and Irrigation Department, Public Works Department, and MPAJ’s Planning Department as guidelines in the construction and management of the said expressway, none of these mitigation measures have been made available for public viewing and feedback, and the bewildered and displaced serow is a strong indication that the existing mitigation measures, if any, are insufficient to protect wildlife populations.

Highway and road construction create opportunities for unscrupulous loggers, poachers, developers, vandals, and profiteers to enter into, plunder and destroy previously inaccessible forested areas. Road construction also kills animals and plants directly, and breaks up habitats into fragments too small to sustain wildlife populations.

The extinction of endangered species such as the Sumatran serow is just one of the probable adverse environmental impacts of proceeding with the construction of the EKVE. The construction of the EKVE, which will cut through the Selangor State Park and other forest reserves, will compromise air quality, water resources and other ecosystem services. Continue on next page...

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The Selangor State Government needs to honour its initial promise during the last General Elections to halt or terminate all proposed highway projects. No mitigation measure, wildlife corridor or wildlife barrier can sufficiently protect human and environmental health or wildlife populations in an environmentally-sensitive area such as the Selangor State Park and Ampang and Ulu Gombak forest reserves. The EKVE project needs to be scrapped with immediate effect before further devastation occurs. Despite popular belief, tropical rainforests are not a renewable resource. Oldgrowth, biologically diverse rainforests cannot just be replanted or replaced. Once logged, it takes decades and centuries for forests to return to their previous status as carbon sinks and water catchment areas. The State Government and MB must cease paying lip service to the ideas of environmental sustainability and social justice, and start taking actions consistent with their claims and election manifesto.

50 SPECIES OF BIRDS COULD BE AFFECTED As reported in THE STARMETRO on 7 January 2016 (Excerpts) MORE than 50 species of birds could be affected by the building of the east Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE) over Taman Rimba Ampang, says a bird-watchers group. The Selangor Bird Group, part of the Malaysia Nature Society (MNS), coordinator Andy Lee said there were a number of possible repercussions from the project. “The noise from the construction will be a major factor. Also, any trees that are cut down would jeopadise nesting sites. Additionally, it could affect the flight paths of migratory birds,” he said. Treat Every Environment Special (TrEES) director Leela Panikkar said that the park is an important water intake point. “How will construction affect the water quality and quantity? The section of the expressway leading to Ukay Perdana is upstream from the water intake point and runs parallel to the river.

“Construction workers, their vehicles and heavy machinery in the catchment area may increase the risk of water pollution. “A large area of the forest will be destroyed thereby changing the environmental conditions of this sensitive area, inflicting scars on the landscape and causing substantial damage to the forest ecosystem. “The ecological balance in the forest will be adversely affected and this will have an impact on wild-life populations,” she said. “The Federal Government, Selangor Government, Malaysian Highway Authority and EKVE Sdn Bhd have the responsibility to be open and transparent to allay fears among residents and the public, especially since the highway will cut through a water catchment area that is also part of the Selangor State Park,” she said. Pictures source: THE STARMETRO

WONG EE LYNN COORDINATOR, GREEN LIVING SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, MALAYSIAN NATURE SOCIETY Note: The Ampang forest reserve is part of the Selangor State Park, gazetted in 2005 in conjunction with its Developed State status. The state park was classified as Rank 1 Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) under the National Physical Plan and accorded the highest status of protection.

Children having a splashing time in the river in Taman Rimba Ampang.

Wildlife like monkeys will be affected.

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Eco Kids WHAT ARE THESE WHITE STRANDS IN MY COMPOST?

A MYCORRHIZAE BASIC FACTSHEET Contributed by Wong Ee Lynn (Info compiled from www.sott.net and www.kew.org)

Image credits: http://www.sott.net/article/304711-An-internet-of-fungi-help-plantscommunicate)

SOMETIMES, while turning up soil in your garden, especially in your compost pile, you might find filmy white strands that look rather like the mould you find on old bread. Often, they are found to be growing on the roots of plants. What are these and will they harm your plants? The white filmy strands are known as “hyphae” (pronounced as “high-fee”). Hyphae form the body of mycelium (pronounced “mai-see-lee-umm”). Mycelium is a beneficial fungus that grows underground and connects the roots of partnering plants. This network of roots of plants and soil fungi is known as “Mycorrhizae” (pronounced “mai-korr-rahi-zurr”). The term Mycorrhizae (from Greek mukês for mushroom and rhiza for root) means “mushroom-root”. Mycorrhizae works like the internet to help plants communicate and survive.

They benefit plants and soil, and as such you should not kill or remove them from your garden soil. Mycorrhizae has been found to allow plants to aid one another in growth and flourishing. University of British Columbia graduate Suzanne Simard was the first to show that trees such as the Douglas fir and Paper birch were capable of transferring carbon to smaller trees that may not be receiving enough sunlight, allowing seedlings to grow in the shade of other trees. A study conducted by Ren Sen Zeng of the South China Agricultural University found that this interconnectivity also allows for plants to warn one another of potential harm. In the study, the team grew potted pairs of tomato plants where some of the pairs were allowed to form mycorrhizae. When the fungal networks had formed, one plant of each pair was sprayed with Alternaria solani, a fungus that causes early blight disease in plant life. After 65 hours, the team tried to infect the second plant of each pair and found that those with mycelia bonds were far less likely to contract the blight and had much lower levels of damage if they did contract it than those with no mycelia. Another study showed Broad Beans also utilized the fungal network to eavesdrop on one another for impending danger. As hungry aphids fed on the leaves of one of the broad bean plants, the plants connected via mycelia began to excrete their anti-aphid chemical defenses, while those not connected had no reaction.

Mycorrhizal plants are often more resistant to diseases, such as those caused by microbial soil-borne pathogens, and are also more resistant to the effects of drought. These effects are perhaps due to the improved water and mineral uptake in mycorrhizal plants. So the next time you find these fine white strands in your potting soil, compost pit or around the roots of your plants, don’t scrape them off or throw them away! Think of them as the Facebook, WhatsApp, WebMD and FoodPanda of your garden plants, only one that is far, far more important and possibly life-saving. 8

February 2016

Calendar of Activities

All events times and venues are correct at time of printing. For latest updates, contact the Special Interest Group or check the MNS website regularly. Booking priority will be given to the organizing branch‘s members unless stated otherwise

Pictures courtesy of Liew Nyok Lin

NATURE GROUP

Caudate Awl King

Glorious Begum

Long Branded Silverline

Malayan Sunbeam

Painted Jezebel

Dark Blue Jungle Glory

Talk on Butterfly Watching Date: 17 Feb 2016 (Wed) Time: 8.00 pm to 9.30 pm Venue: MNS HQ Auditorium Rama-rama….Papathi …Butterflies….In any language, these words refer to the beautiful, delicate and graceful creatures, often with intricate wing patterns. There are 165,000 recorded species of butterflies and moths in the world, and it is no wonder that they are the most studied and admired of all the insects. It is no surprise then, that people can get hooked on watching butterflies! How many times have you come across gorgeous butterflies and moths in your garden or during your walks or hikes? How many times have you seen these colourful beauties and wondered what their names were?

How many times have you chased after them and failed to take good shots as they flitted gracefully from flower to flower? Here’s a golden opportunity for you to get a better understanding of the world of butterflies.

The Nature Guides SIG of the Selangor Branch will be hosting a talk by Liew Nyok Lin, an amateur naturalist and keen butterfly watcher who is currently documenting his research on butterflies in Raub, his hometown, and hopes to publish his book soon. Liew would like to kindle in us an interest in butterfly watching as a hobby. He will touch on several aspects including equipment, etiquette, locations, resources as well as some current issues of conservation. You will also get to enjoy learning about the different species of butterflies in Peninsular Malaysia. Please be early as seats are limited in the auditorium.

No need for prior registration. If you have any queries, you can sms or whatsapp Pasupathy Jayaraj at hp 019-3199770. 9

February 2016

Calendar of Activities BIRDING GROUP

All events times and venues are correct at time of printing. For latest updates, contact the Special Interest Group or check the MNS website regularly. Booking priority will be given to the organizing branch‘s members unless stated otherwise

Bird Watching Trip Gunung Nuang, Hulu Langat Date: 21 Feb 2016 (Sun) Time: 7.30 am Meeting point: In front of mosque Pekan Batu 14 GPS Coordinates : 3.113217, 101.815358 Come join the Selangor Branch Bird Group for the first day trip in 2016. Gunung Nuang is the highest mountain in Selangor (1493 m) where its peak borders Selangor and Pahang state. It is also a part of the Titiwangsa Range. We will not be doing any mountain climbing as birding will be done on flat terrains along the gravel and dirt road. This event is also suitable for children. Direction: From Cheras-Kajang Expressway, after passing Batu 9 Toll Plaza, take the 1st left turning. Follow this road straight till you reach a traffic light with a Police Station on the right, take a left turn into Jalan Hulu Langat. Go straight along this long kampung road and look out for the mosque on the left. Please be there at 7.30 am sharp as we will convoy to the site, which takes another 35 minutes. Avoid bright coloured clothing. Wear a hat and comfortable shoes as we will be birding along the tarmac road. Bring along binoculars, drinking water, light snacks, sun block, umbrella and mosquito repellent. The event shall end at noon.

Pictures source: malaysianbirds.com

Pre-registration is not compulsory but advance notice of your attendance is appreciated.

If you need a ride or can offer a ride, please let us know. For more details, please call (after 8 pm) or sms Ms. Ong Su Ping at 016-4903284 or Mr. Low Kok Hen at 012-3807775.

TALK Birding in Mai Po, Hong Kong Date: 25 Feb 2016 (Thu) Time: 8.00 pm Venue: MNS HQ Auditorium The Mai Po Nature Reserve, a 380 hectare area in the Deep Bay wetland complex in the northwestern corner of Hong Kong, is one of Asia’s finest locations for wetland biodiversity. It is home to diverse habitats supporting numerous animal species, and is a wellknown haven for migratory birds. This Ramsar Site welcomes around 90,000 migratory birds every winter. Of the 380 species of birds that inhabit the reserve, 35 are of global conservation concern, including the Saunder’s Gull and the Black-faced Spoonbill. David Lai and Nina Cheung will relate their experiences birding in that area. All are welcome (including non-members) and admission is free (no prior registration required). For queries, contact Lim Wai Kong (012-3935189, [email protected]).

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February 2016

Calendar of Activities PHOTOGROUP

All events times and venues are correct at time of printing. For latest updates, contact the Special Interest Group or check the MNS website regularly. Booking priority will be given to the organizing branch‘s members unless stated otherwise

Image source: wikipedia

MYCAT 2016 Calendars for Sale!

Camera 101- Camera & Lenses and Shooting Panoramas Date: 24 Feb 2016 (Wed) Time: 8.00 pm Venue: MNS Auditorium Join the MNS Photo SIG for the first Indoor talk for 2016. Refresh your understanding of photo fundamentals as Alex Foong explains the pros and cons of various types of cameras, formats and lenses. Beginning photographers and intermediates will appreciate the benefits and disadvantages of different types of equipment and how to select the right camera and lens for different photographic purposes. Stewart Forbes will also discuss the equipment and techniques necessary to capture stunning wide panoramas and obtain different expansive viewpoints from those normally obtained through the camera lens.

Get your copy of MYCAT’s Malaysian Endangered Wildlife 2016 Calendars at only RM20 per copy within Malaysia (including postage). Full proceeds will be channelled to support our tiger conservation programmes in 2016, including Citizens Action for Tigers, Wildlife Crime Hotline and MYCAT Tiger Roadshows. Get your copies now. Purchase details at www.malayantiger.net!

For more information or bulk purchases (more than 20 copies), please email [email protected]. MYCAT Secretariat’s Office Unit 3, Ground Floor, Jalan SS23/11, Taman SEA 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Tel: 03-7880 3940 Email: [email protected]. 11

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Calendar of Activities Love the outdoors?

All events times and venues are correct at time of printing. For latest updates, contact the Special Interest Group or check the MNS website regularly. Booking priority will be given to the organizing branch‘s members unless stated otherwise

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Annapurna Base Camp Trek (4130M) from 24/03/16 to 06/04/16. Walk through villages, then climb through forests into the Annapurna Sanctuary , a valley surrounded by high Himalayan peaks. A great opportunity to get into the mountains without the altitude problems of Mt. Everest. This fantastic 10-day trek offers the most spectacular landscape views of the Himalayas, allowing you to be completely immersed in the heart of the towering Annapurna range. Altitudes of 4130m are reached, and a reasonable level of physical fitness is required to comfortably complete this expedition. Two free training trips will be provided. Further info please sign in: http://www.mymountaingoal.com/AnnapurnaRegion.htm

Mount Siguniang Shan (Four Maidens’ Mountain) Via Da Fan (5030M) and Chanzi pass (4660M) from 16/05/16 to 25/05/16. The Four Maidens’ Mountain Scenic Area is an unspoiled wilderness park located in west Sichuan Province near Rilong in Aba Autonomous Prefecture. Main attractions: unspoiled natural beauty, unusual shapes of the mountain peaks, blue sky, clouds and mist, snow peaks, ancient cypress forests, rushing waterfalls, and alpine meadows. The scenic area includes one mountain, Four Maidens’ Mountain, and three valleys,Two-Bridge (Shuangqiao) Valley, Long-Peace (Changping) Valley, and Alpine-Lake (Haizi) Valley. Two free training trips will be provided. Further info please sign in: http://www.mymountaingoal.com/backpackn-sichuan11.htm Contact: Thong at [email protected] Off : 03-40248896 H/P :+6016-6375622 WhatsApp, WeChat, Viber and Line

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DIRECTORY MNS HQ JKR 641, Jalan Kelantan, Bukit Persekutuan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur (just before the Seri Perdana turn-off on Jalan Mahameru) Open: Mondays – Fridays 9 am–5:30 pm T: 03-2287 9422 F: 03-2287 8773 [email protected] www.mns.my Membership: Leong Wee Chin

BRANCH COMMITTEE 2015-2016 JOHOR BRANCH c/o Vincent Chow 32 Jln Molek 3/11, Tmn Molek, 81100 Johor Bahru; www.mnsj.org.my Blog: www.mnsj.org.my Chairman Vincent Chow [email protected] Vice Chair Wee Soon Chit [email protected] Secretary Belinda Wong Mei Lang [email protected] KEDAH BRANCH 3 Jalan Timor 1, Kawasan Perusahaan Mergong Barrage, 05150 Alor Setar, Kedah Chairman Left. Kol Husamuddin bin Yaacob ; [email protected] Vice Chair Wan Muhaimin bin Wan Jamil [email protected] Secretary Phang Fatt Khow [email protected]

KELANTAN BRANCH 204, Jln Sultan Yahya Petra, 15150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan. [email protected] Chairman Saiful Marsidi b Sidek [email protected] Vice Chair Amir Hamzah Abdul Shukor [email protected] Secretary Nazahatul Anis Amaludin [email protected]

LANGKAWI BRANCH [email protected] Chairman Eric R. Sinnaya [email protected] Vice Chair Kamal Ibrahim [email protected] Secretary Daisy Jeyarani Samuel Daisy_Samuel_2004@yahoo .com NEGERI SEMBILAN/ MELAKA BRANCH Chairman Dr Zorina Khalid [email protected] Vice Chair Peter Loke [email protected] Secretary June Teng [email protected] PAHANG BRANCH 30 1st Floor Jalan Gambut, 25000 Kuantan, Pahang; [email protected] Chairman Zela Azni binti Nahizan [email protected] Vice Chair Nurul Azne Ibrahim Secretary Noor Hassikin binti Hamsah [email protected] PENANG BRANCH Nature Information Centre (NIC), 673-B Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350 Penang. Tel: 04-2273673 Open Mon–Sat, 7.30–11.30 am (please phone before visiting) www.geocities.com/mnspenang/ Blog: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Chairman Tan Choo Eng [email protected] Vice Chair James Ooi Teik Kok [email protected] Secretary Tan Pek Tao, Peggy [email protected]

PERAK BRANCH 70 Jln Chan Chee Keong, Ipoh Garden South, 31400 Ipoh, Perak [email protected] Blog: [email protected] Chairman Ooi Beng Yean [email protected] Vice Chair Leow Kon Fah [email protected] Secretary Georgia Tham Yim Fong [email protected] SABAH BRANCH 5 Taman Bukit Saujana, Lorong Saujana 2, Jalan Fung Yie Teng, 88460 Kolombong, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Chairman Anna Wong [email protected] Vice Chair Jimmy Omar [email protected] Secretary Nur Syamimi Makbul [email protected] SABAH (SANDAKAN) BRANCH Lot 322, Lorong Pertama 17, Tmn Pertama, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah Chairman Chong Ket Vui Dusun [email protected] Vice-Chair Gengadharan G Pillai [email protected] Secretary Quah Joo Lee [email protected]

SARAWAK (MIRI) BRANCH [email protected] Blog: mnsmiri.blogspot.com Chairman Musa Musbah [email protected] Vice Chair Mohamd Jefri Mudin [email protected] Secretary Mairead Boland [email protected] SELANGOR BRANCH c/o MNS HQ address www.mns.org.my/selangor [email protected] E-group: malaysiannaturesociety@yahoo groups.com Chairman Henry Goh [email protected] Vice Chair Pasupathy Jayaraj [email protected] Secretary Wong Pui May [email protected] TERENGGANU BRANCH 1926 Bukit Kubang Jambu, 20050 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu [email protected] Chairman Wong Chee Ho [email protected] Vice Chair Lim Yee Ming [email protected] Secretary Dr Chong Ju Lian [email protected]

SARAWAK (KUCHING) BRANCH [email protected] Chairman Vincent Wong [email protected] Vice Chair Rose Au Nyat Jun [email protected] Secretary Audrey Dominic Neng [email protected]

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PENCINTA ALAM is a monthly newsletter made possible by dedicated volunteers and contributors from the Malaysian Nature Society. Accuracy is the contributor’s responsibility. The Editor reserves the right to edit for length and content.

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Submissions: Articles including the author and photographers’ names (max. 500 words), advertisements, digital images (100 dpi & no larger than 640 x 480 pixels & separately from the article), etc. must reach the Editor by the 13th of each month (unless noted otherwise) via the following e-mail address: [email protected]. Advertising rates: Classifieds : RM5 per column inch Quarter page ad : RM30 Half page ad : RM60 Payments: -All payments must be made to ‘Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch’. -Please bank in cash or cheque to Maybank MBB account no 014150307352. -After banking in, please scan the slip and e-mail it with your advertisement to [email protected] and [email protected]. Discount rate for ads paid in advance: 3 adverts paid in advance – 5% off published rate; 6 adverts paid in advance – 10% off published rate; 9 adverts paid in advance – 15% off published rate; 12 adverts paid in advance – 20% off published rate.

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Happy New Lunar Year! Editor - This issue : Lee Meng Lai, Next issue: Khor Hui Min Computer Recycling Collection Centre The MNS Penang, Nature Information Centre (NIC) is a designated recycling collection centre for old computers and computer parts by the Penang City Council. Please send your unwanted computers and parts to the NIC to be sent for recycling by DOE approved recycling establishment. Contact Kanda at 013-4537992 for more information or check out Penang Branch web pages.

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