By Zaki Salleh
SUNGKAI: Many people in Perak are unaware that there is a wildlife rescue and conservation centre in the state.
Some may have seen signboards directing to the centre along the roadside or near highways, but know little about it.
The National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC) and the Sungkai Wildlife Conservation Centre (PKHL) are in fact internationally recognised conservation centres.
The 30-hectare NWRC is the only wildlife rescue centre in the country and was established in 2012.
The development of the NWRC was carried out in three phases and was fully completed in 2018.
It was established under the requirements of the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 (Act 686), which provides for the establishment of a rescue centre under the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN).
This is to ensure adequate care and protection facilities for scheduled wildlife species.
The centre serves as a placement facility for endangered wildlife species rescued from injuries, smuggling, seizures, and voluntary handovers throughout Peninsular Malaysia.
Yesterday, the centre received a visit from the Minister of Plantation and Commodities, who is also the Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
The visit provided him with the opportunity to take a closer look and gain a better understanding of the functions and role of PERHILITAN in carrying out wildlife conservation missions.
In particular, it highlighted the role of the NWRC as PERHILITAN’s main wildlife rescue centre and the conservation efforts undertaken.
During the visit, Johari also graciously named a newly born tapir calf at the NWRC, which was named Maly.
