Discovering Malaysia’s nature reserve

2009/09/05

Students learn to appreciate the environment through a marine conservation programme and biodiversity education camp

SOME 130 people, including volunteers, students and teachers from schools in Kulim and Penang, took part in the recent Intel Malaysia Biodiversity Education Camp 2009.

Students learned about the local wildlife and nature conservation efforts. They also joined in fun and educational activities including environmental talks, beach patrol, bird watching, jungle trekking as well as the release of 272 baby turtles and a mother turtle with a satellite transmitter.

The satellite transmitter mounted on the mother turtle allows the Penang Fishery Department to track and study its movements. To the participants’ delight, the mother turtle landed at Teluk Kampi and laid 99 eggs on the last day of the camp.

“These activities were organised with the objective of enabling students to discover and experience different habitats, and enjoy the exotic nature reserve of Malaysia.

“In the process, they will learn about the importance and value of conserving the environment and marine life,” says Intel Malaysia corporate services manager K. W. Lee.

Intel volunteers had also contributed 550 hours by visiting participating schools to brief more than 3,500 students on marine conservation under the Intel Malaysia Marine Conservation Programme.

A highlight of the Biodiversity Education Camp was the launch of a turtle hatchery at the Kerachut Beach Turtle Conservancy in Penang.

Sponsored by Intel Malaysia employees, the turtle hatchery was made possible from funds amounting to RM13,000 that was collected during a two-week employee donation drive organised under the marine conservation programme.

The camp was organised by Intel with help from its partners from the Penang Department of Fisheries, Penang Department of Wildlife, Taman Negara Pulau Pinang and Penang Tourist Guides Association.

Students learn about the importance of conserving marine life at environmental talks