eagle eye
Singaporeans tip the scales for pangolins
Report by TRAFFIC Southeast Asia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 21 April 2010 - Singapore's green groups came to the rescue of pangolins on Sunday, singing, dancing and dining their way towards raising $40,000 (USD 29,148) for crucial research on one of Southeast Asia's most heavily trafficked mammals.
Led by Cicada Tree Eco-Place, a non-government organisation that promotes Singapore's natural and cultural heritage through environmental education and eco-living, the groups marshaled resources to hold a private fund-raising dinner and exhibition, in aid of Pangolins.
The Vertebrate Study Group of the Nature Society (Singapore), Nature's Niche Pte Ltd and Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), supported Cicada Tree Eco-Place in organizing the event.
The groups were moved to raise awareness on the illegal trade in pangolins and raise funds in aid of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia's efforts to stem the trade following the a symposium on trade and conservation of pangolins native to South and Southeast Asia held in Singapore in 2008.
The symposium, hosted by Wildlife Reserves Singapore at the Singapore Zoo, at the subsequent publication of proceedings from the workshop called worldwide attention to the plight of the regions pangolins.
Little is known about the current conservation status of pangolins despite these animals being one of the most commonly trafficked species in this region.
It is known, however, that the trade is rapidly pushing this species towards extinction and needs to be addressed urgently if pangolins are to survive into the near future.
Contributions from the dinner will be used to fund dedicated research on pangolin population studies and trade surveys throughout Southeast Asia. The information gathered will serve as a basis for advice to enforcement agencies and international bodies worldwide about the illegal pangolin trade.
The funds will also enable TRAFFIC to conduct training, education and awareness raising activities including producing pangolin related printed material and audio-visual communication aids.
"Raising funds for the conservation of less-charismatic species is always a challenge." says Chris R. Shepherd, Senior Programme Officer with TRAFFIC Southeast Asia.
Shepherd, who delivered a talk on the illegal pangolin trade at the dinner, said many species of lesser-known animals like the pangolin were being pushed towards extinction largely unnoticed.
"The efforts of Cicada Tree Eco-Place and other supporters at this event are greatly appreciated."
Teresa Teo Guttensohn, co-founder, Cicada Tree Eco-Place said although Sunda Pangolins (Manis javanica) were part of the precious biodiversity of Singapore and Southeast Asia, most Singaporeans were not aware of its existence and more outreach had to be done locally.
"All of us at Cicada Tree Eco-Place felt the urgency to help stem the tragic illegal trade, and raising funds for a dedicated pangolin researcher will make a difference for pangolins.
"We are deeply thankful for the generosity of all our supporters and donors at the Pangolin Fund Raising Dinner, which turned out to be quite a party for greenies, conservationists, environmentalists and wildlife and pangolin lovers."
The private fund-raising dinner featured an exhibition on nature, conservation and wildlife, as well as performances by School of the Arts Singapore students. Guests were also entertained by poetry readings, celebrity singers, deejays and even belly dancers, while additional funds were raised in a raffle draw.
Photo by Cyril Ng
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 21 April 2010 - Singapore's green groups came to the rescue of pangolins on Sunday, singing, dancing and dining their way towards raising $40,000 (USD 29,148) for crucial research on one of Southeast Asia's most heavily trafficked mammals.
Led by Cicada Tree Eco-Place, a non-government organisation that promotes Singapore's natural and cultural heritage through environmental education and eco-living, the groups marshaled resources to hold a private fund-raising dinner and exhibition, in aid of Pangolins.
The Vertebrate Study Group of the Nature Society (Singapore), Nature's Niche Pte Ltd and Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), supported Cicada Tree Eco-Place in organizing the event.
The groups were moved to raise awareness on the illegal trade in pangolins and raise funds in aid of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia's efforts to stem the trade following the a symposium on trade and conservation of pangolins native to South and Southeast Asia held in Singapore in 2008.
The symposium, hosted by Wildlife Reserves Singapore at the Singapore Zoo, at the subsequent publication of proceedings from the workshop called worldwide attention to the plight of the regions pangolins.
Little is known about the current conservation status of pangolins despite these animals being one of the most commonly trafficked species in this region.
It is known, however, that the trade is rapidly pushing this species towards extinction and needs to be addressed urgently if pangolins are to survive into the near future.
Contributions from the dinner will be used to fund dedicated research on pangolin population studies and trade surveys throughout Southeast Asia. The information gathered will serve as a basis for advice to enforcement agencies and international bodies worldwide about the illegal pangolin trade.
The funds will also enable TRAFFIC to conduct training, education and awareness raising activities including producing pangolin related printed material and audio-visual communication aids.
"Raising funds for the conservation of less-charismatic species is always a challenge." says Chris R. Shepherd, Senior Programme Officer with TRAFFIC Southeast Asia.
Shepherd, who delivered a talk on the illegal pangolin trade at the dinner, said many species of lesser-known animals like the pangolin were being pushed towards extinction largely unnoticed.
"The efforts of Cicada Tree Eco-Place and other supporters at this event are greatly appreciated."
Teresa Teo Guttensohn, co-founder, Cicada Tree Eco-Place said although Sunda Pangolins (Manis javanica) were part of the precious biodiversity of Singapore and Southeast Asia, most Singaporeans were not aware of its existence and more outreach had to be done locally.
"All of us at Cicada Tree Eco-Place felt the urgency to help stem the tragic illegal trade, and raising funds for a dedicated pangolin researcher will make a difference for pangolins.
"We are deeply thankful for the generosity of all our supporters and donors at the Pangolin Fund Raising Dinner, which turned out to be quite a party for greenies, conservationists, environmentalists and wildlife and pangolin lovers."
The private fund-raising dinner featured an exhibition on nature, conservation and wildlife, as well as performances by School of the Arts Singapore students. Guests were also entertained by poetry readings, celebrity singers, deejays and even belly dancers, while additional funds were raised in a raffle draw.