By D’Drift Team
MIRI, March 17: In Lapok town’s Sunday market, a single gosling commands an exorbitant price of RM350, which might baffle onlookers, but there is a good reason behind it.
A 46-year-old Sibu pedlar by the name of Busnah told the D’Drift Team today that apart from being a farm animal, the geese can be used to replace the role of a dog in taking care of homes.
“Once the gosling grows older, its price can fetch up to RM500 for one,” she said.
Apparently, it is quite common to substitute dogs with geese as the latter has proven to be more useful, especially when it comes to guarding homes within the village areas.
“It’s true. Geese are more sensitive and would honk loudly if they sensed anything unusual. If they don’t recognise something or someone, their noise will alert us,” said one of her customers when asked why the bird was the better option.
Who would have thought our feathered friend, the goose, would be a better replacement for looking after the house instead of man’s best friend?
According to Busnah, she herself keeps two geese to guard her home alongside a few dogs.
Meanwhile, we brought up a concern about the possibility of geese attacking their owners since the birds are known to be quite fierce, but she assured us otherwise.
“Don’t worry; they will not attack if they are used to you. All you need to do is raise them since young, like around this age,” she said, referring to the two goslings in her stall that are around two months old.
Apart from the goslings, Busnah also sells rabbits, chicks, and ducklings. The rabbits are priced between RM60 and RM80, while the chicks and ducklings range between RM6 and RM19. So far, she has sold a few chicks and ducklings.
The town is teemed with diverse stalls offering an array of goods, from delectable treats like satays and waffles, clothing items, skincare products, jungle produce, fish, and even farm animals.
Lapok town is our first stop after leaving Segah Sela’an Homestay in Ulu Baram. The journey took us about three hours and forty minutes.
As we were preparing to leave the homestay, we were delighted to spot a few swiftlets and even chanced upon a family of hornbills perched atop a tree; an unexpected encounter that was particularly appreciated since we had been disappointed for not being able to see any during our treks to the waterfalls.
Shortly after, a flying squirrel glided past our car as it descended downhill, and we felt fortunate to have witnessed such a moment. It was as though the forest of Ulu Baram was bidding us a lovely adieu. — DayakDaily
