KUCHING: Sarawak Energy has launched Sarawak’s first Amphibian and Reptile Pod, an innovative approach to conservation that is also the first ex-situ (off-site) conservation facility of its kind in Malaysia.
It was done as part of its focus on developing its energy resources responsibly and sustainably to maximise the positive impacts and minimise potential harm to society and the environment.
The biosecurity husbandry facility will house seven species of concern, particularly from Sarawak Energy’s project areas for research purposes, housing as many as 50 amphibians and reptiles before they are released to identified alternative reintroduction sites.
The facility also includes terrariums that mimic the natural habitat of rescued amphibians and reptiles and innovative setups for monitoring purposes.
The pod will also house the Trophidophorus sebi, or Baleh Water Skink, a newly named species that is found only in the Baleh area, discovered during the wildlife survey for the Baleh HEP.
Speaking at the launch, Sarawak Energy Group chief executive officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili shared Sarawak Energy’s role in driving environmental-related initiatives such as the sustainable management of forests, which are essential to water catchments and the Group’s efforts in conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.
“We are fortunate to have collaborated with like-minded organisations such as Unimas, Forest Department Sarawak, and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), and greatly appreciate their support as we work together to help Sarawak to achieve its ambition to become a developed and sustainable state by 2030.”
The initiative also demonstrates the Group’s commitment to adopting international good practices guided by the International Hydropower Association’s (IHA) Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Tools.
Sarawak Energy Group chief operating officer Ir James Ung, who spoke about Sarawak Energy’s Hydropower Environmental Sustainability Programme, explained that Sarawak Energy’s R&D department had implemented a series of research on terrestrial fauna at the Baleh HEP and its adjacent areas.
“Our Sarawak Energy Hydro Environmental Sciences Research Blueprint was developed in 2018 and aimed to bridge knowledge gaps, facilitating effective decision-making in managing the environmental challenges of our hydropower projects.
“We have also funded internally driven collaborative research projects and expeditions within our hydropower project areas for our biodiversity and species distribution surveys, monitoring of rare and endangered species and studies on ecology as well as natural history.”
Ung revealed that the pod was designed by their in-house ecologists to carry out ex-situ research on these species, providing new knowledge on species-specific husbandry requirements for housed amphibians and reptiles.
“Such a facility supports Sarawak Energy’s journey towards environmental excellence and aspiration to become an exemplary organisation in environmental stewardship.
“Together, we look forward to the successful operation of the Amphibian and Reptile Pod and the impressive research outputs from the team.”
Among those present were SFC CEO Zolkipli Mohamad Aton; Professor Dr Indraneil Das of the Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation Unimas; Sarawak Energy general manager for Research & Development Dr Ng Sing Muk; SFC head for Permits, Licensing & Registration Norzehan Ramji and SFC wildlife officer Taha Wahab.
