KUCHING, Jan 22: The numbers of Proboscis Monkey in the wilderness of Sarawak today are less than 1,000 and have been dropping over the past 30 years, said Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton.
Zolkipli, who is also the SFC Controller of Wild Life, also expressed his regret on the recent death of protected male proboscis monkey due to severe injuries sustained bites when attacked by a hound of dogs.
“This might eventually lead to the extinction of the species,” he said in a press statement today.
Zolkipli, noted, recently, SFC received a report from a concerned member of the public regarding the incident which occurred at Kem Permai’s beach, on Thursday (Jan 21), where the protected male proboscis monkey was attacked by a group of strays dogs.
“Upon arrival, our SWAT team discovered multiple dog bites on its head and right shoulder, which (may have) caused its death.
“Our forensic team took back the carcass for further investigation and will be preserved for taxonomic purposes, and it will be placed at either the Bako National Park or Matang Wildlife centre for educational exhibitions,” he said.
On the same note, Zolkipli assures that SFC will collaborate with other relevant authorities to remove the stray dogs from the beach to avoid the same incident happening again.
“Member of the public who have information on protected wildlife are encouraged to report through SFC online at 019-8859996 (Kuching), 019-8883561 (Sibu), 019-83332737 (Bintulu), and )19-8290994 (Miri),” he added. –DayakDaily.
