Coastal Dolphins of Sarawak - Research and conservation issues

Talk by Dr. Gianna Minton

Monday - February 08 at 20.00. Pelangi room – Panaga club,

After a year of coastal boat surveys in Miri, Bintulu and Kuching, the researchers have gained insight into the habitat preferences and conservation needs of the 4 species of dolphins in the study. The talk will cover basic aspects of dolphin biology and ecology & more detailed information on the coastal dolphins of Sarawak, it will include photographs, video footage, and preliminary survey results.

Bio Gianna Minton:

After graduating from Stanford University in California, Gianna Minton started her professional life as an teacher and curriculum developer, working and living in Spain and Holland, as well as the US. She was reinvented as a cetacean researcher during her 8 and 1/2 years in Oman. Between 1999 and 2005 she raised funds, engaged in PR activities, and conducted boat and beach surveys for whales and dolphins all along the coast of Oman . Her PhD thesis, which was completed in 2004, focused on the amazing non-migratory humpback whales of the Arabian Sea. Since July 2005 she has been living with her husband and two young daughters in Sarawak, Malaysia. In May 2008 she was appointed as a Research Fellow at University Malaysia Sarawak to fulfill the role of Principal researcher on on the Sarawak Dolphin Project, and continues to work with Cindy Peter, MsC candidate to study coastal dolphins in the Kuching, Bintulu and Miri regions. When not bouncing around on a boat looking for dolphins or looking after her daughters, aged almost 3 and almost 5, Gianna is swimming, running, or enjoying Borneo's terrestrial wildlife.

ps. non panaga club members please notify PNHS@gmail.com to apply for a day pass

Bully BOOKED ! - Labi Ridge Walk Excursion Sunday 18th Oct @ 7am SupaSave car park

This walk is now fully booked.
This walk takes us over a ridge near Labi village, along the edge of the primary rainforest of Ulu Belait. Occasional viewpoints provide spectacular views over the canopies in the Ulu Belait plain; with clear weather from here you can even see Mulu at the horizon. Early morning the distant gibbon choirs complete the scene. Other wildlife is still regularly encountered here: sambar deer, mouse deer, wild boar and civets have been spotted along this track. Surrounded by forest birds, overhead we may even get a look at rhinoceros or helmeted hornbills.
The last ascent will require a 4WD, we can carpool from Supasave parking lot. The track is not too difficult but can be slippery at times, good walking shoes recommended (bring towel and dry change for the way back). Please sign up with walking guides listed below.
David Mendes - 8774575 Douwe de Vries - 8777166

"Reading Your Palm"Talk by Brian CarlThursday October 1 @ 8 PM Panaga club - Pelangi

"Reading Your Palm"Talk by Brian CarlThursday October 1 @ 8 PM Panaga club - Pelangi Room What is palm oil? Where do you find it? What impact does its development have on the environment? What is its role as a "bio-fuel" in the petroleum industry? Answers directly impact the residents of Borneo, both human and animals alike.
Explore the history, logistics, environmental cost and future of the oil palm. Share your own perspective. And taste for yourself the real stuff! Come and join us Thursday October 1 at 8 PM in the Panaga club - Pelangi Room.

Playing with Gibbons, Dancing with Kids: Lessons Learned from a Forest Odyssey"

"Playing with Gibbons, Dancing with Kids: Lessons Learned from a Forest Odyssey"
A joint PNHS-PPS lecture by Noah Jackson Wednesday November 4 @ 8 PM Panaga club - Teratai Room Noah Jackson comes to us with a rich background in SE Asia. A former Peace Corp Volunteer in the Philippines and a US Fulbright Scholar in Malaysia, Noah now works with indigenous communities in Borneo. He is an avid photographer whose work has been featured recently in The Expat magazine, The Malayisan Edge and Action Asia. He is currently dedicating his energies to establishing a non-profit organization, "Forest Voices" that will help document and protect the fragile relationship between the people of Borneo and their environment.
His talk will feature some of his beautiful photographs. He will tell us about the rewards and follies of working with forest communities in East Malaysia. To read more about his work and preview some of his images, see http://www.hopeinlight.com/

MD/TD BEACH CLEANING CAMPAIGN

Please come along and participate on Friday 12th June 2009 at E1 beach area (starting point) at 3.00pm
This is one of the activities organised by HSE/5 in support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) World Environment Day (see BSP bulletin for more details)
Drinks will be provided. However to reduce waste, we strongly urge you to bring your own drinking bottle. Please come along and participate

Finless Porpoise

A Finless Porpoise, 1.2 m was found dead between E1 and Panaga Club, at extreme low tide line due to king tide, 09/05 - Neophocaena phocaenoides (G. Cuvier, 1829) - pic J Henrot, det J Henrot, http://picasaweb.google.com/PNHS.brunei/MARINEMAMMALSOfPanaga#5344561341635956866

Badas Pitcher Plant Walk

CANCELLED - The Badas Pitcher Plant Walk planned for Thursday Jun 18 unfortunately has to be cancelled because of fires currently burning there along the Badas road. It is really very sad to see this area with beautiful Pitcher plants being burned (see attachment).
See how it was and how it is now:
http://picasaweb.google.com/PNHS.brunei/NepenthesOfBadasBrunei?feat=email
Thursday Jun 18 - 5 pm @ BSP HQ canteen
Led by Jacqueline Henrot & Peter Engbers
Departure 5 pm sharp from BSP HQ canteen, 20 min drive to the Badas site, departing the site at 6:40.
The first part of the walk is a narrow trail among 2m high grass before reaching a more open area with Pitcher Plants and Sundews. There are several species of pitcher plants, some with pitchers up to 25 cm and many of them in flower.
Nepenthes ampullaria, N. bicalcarata, N. gracilis, N. rafflesiana, N. rafflesiana x gracilis
As an appetizer you can visit the Picasa web album below.
Length:
750 m/ 20 min (1 way)
Start:
Departure 5PM sharp from BSP HQ canteen, 20 min drive to the Badas site.
Equipment:
Dress with long pants, long sleeves, good shoes/boots and take some drinking water – insect repellent for sensitive people.
For pictures go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/PNHS.brunei/NepenthesOfBadasBrunei?feat=email