USM, PENANG, 26 April 2016 – The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Biological Sciences (PPSK) continues to promote the awareness on the preservation and conservation of the flora and fauna among its students with a visit to the Taiping Zoo & Night Safari and the Turtle Conservation and Information Centre, in Pasir Panjang, Segari, Perak recently.

According to the lecturer from PPSK, Dr. Nadine Brigitte Ruppert, the trip was held to provide exposure to the students on the importance of issues relating to conservation and wildlife management in Malaysia, and at the same time giving them their first experience on zoo and turtle management, as well as on flora preservation.

She added that, among the activities conducted were on ‘zoo-keeping’ which include feeding the wildlife, cleaning the animal cages and briefing on matters concerning zoo and biology management, while in Pasir Panjang, Segari, the programme among others touched on the tree-planting activities for the purpose of turtle conservation and to prevent coastal erosion; beach cleanup activity to prepare areas as conducive landing sites for turtles as well as a short programme on instilling awareness to conserve species of turtles at Segari beach.

The programme was organised by PPSK, Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (KUASA), Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) with assistance from Dindings Poultry Processing Sdn. Bhd., Perak Fisheries Department, Perak Forestry Department (Hutan Perak) and supported by Rakan Segari, Macaca Nemestrina Project & Manjung Outdoor & Backpackers Community.

39 students together with 6 USM staff were involved in the activities throughout the two-day programme.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah