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MCI (P) 089/12/2021. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2022 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

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New online platform by Dr Jane Goodall is preserving the incredible biodiversity of wildlife in Asia...

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Lifestyle

New online platform by Dr Jane Goodall is preserving the incredible biodiversity of wildlife in Asia through photography

Powerful images on Eko Eko, a new online platform that captures the wonder and awe of nature in Southeast-Asia.

by Charukesi Ramadurai  /   July 24, 2022

Malaysia is home to over 360 mammal species — of which 28 are primates — and close to 700 bird species. Despite its small size, Singapore packs a mighty punch in terms of fauna, with 80 species of mammals and 395 bird species. In addition to the Royal Bengal tiger, India is home to over a dozen other wild cats, including the Asiatic lion, Indian leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard, and caracal.

Yet, few people, including locals are aware of — and therefore care — about the rich biodiversity of their countries. This natural wealth is under serious threat due to increasing pollution, habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. Just in this part of the world alone, several species of animals and birds have already become extinct, while dozens more are classified as Endangered or Vulnerable.

In the words of Dr Jane Goodall, world-renowned primatologist and environmentalist: “Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.”

Enter Eko Eko, a project that showcases the natural world around us. This global initiative is the creation of Roots & Shoots Malaysia — the local chapter of a global community initiative with over 150,000 active groups in 130 countries — and raises awareness about endemic wildlife in the five countries involved in the venture: Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, India, and Australia.

The first step has been to create a website containing diverse images from these countries, carefully compiled and captioned. Six themes are reflected in the images shot by both amateur and professional wildlife photographers: What’s for Lunch — how animals hunt or forage; Source of Life — how forest ecosystems function; Now You See Me, Now You Don’t — how camouflage works in nature; Home Sweet Home — the nesting habits of local fauna; Dressed to Impress — how animals use colour as a means of communication; and Family Ties — how animals interact as a family.

(Related: 10 once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experiences)

Highlighting wildlife and biodiversity in Asia Pacific

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A post shared by Roots & Shoots Malaysia (@rootsandshootsmy)

According to Roots & Shoots Malaysia president TP Lim, Eko Eko was started as a way to introduce Malaysian biodiversity and wildlife to Malaysians, as well as the rest of the world. He says, “Even though international platforms such as National Geographic and Animal Planet regularly make wildlife shows, South-east Asia does not get much coverage.”

Similarly, Eko Eko’s project leader, Peter Ong, says the aim is to show outsiders the region’s natural beauty rather than rely on them to discover it.

Both Lim and Ong emphasise the importance of raising awareness about the larger environmental issues that face the planet, such as deforestation and poaching. Lim says, “We keep harping about economic growth and human capital, but we are also experiencing devastating floods, pollution, and the climate change crisis. Eko Eko also seeks to emphasise the impact civilisation has on wildlife and the environment at large.”

For Eko Eko, the inspiration comes from Dr Goodall, and her idea of linking the head with the heart, and the heart with the hand. Thus, the information is not presented in the form of scientific facts and data, but in the form of images to evoke the wonder and awe nature can inspire.

The ultimate goal of Eko Eko is to propel action in the form of citizen volunteering. This means tree planting in the mangroves, beach clean-ups, and citizen scientist programmes.

Here’re stunning photographs by 5 wildlife photographers in Asia-Pacific.

https://www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg/gallery/lifestyle/wildlife-photography-asia-biodiversity-jane-goodall/
New online platform by Dr Jane Goodall is preserving the incredible biodiversity of wildlife in Asia through photography
1. Manoj Dholakia, India
image

Third-generation photographer, Dholakia began his career at the Centre for Environment Education Ahmedabad in the western Indian state of Gujarat. He picked up the camera in 1984 and hasn’t put it down since. The Royal Bengal Tiger is Dholakia’s favourite subject matter, and he says, “Catching a glimpse of this apex predator is a magical experience that makes me want to do it again and again.”

The shy and elusive leopard, as well as large birds of prey also catch his attention. Through his company, Pugmarks Qmulus Consortium, he has created interpretation centres that feature bird call kiosks and touchscreen information booths in several Indian forests across 12 states.

Photo above: A Royal Bengal tiger with its chital prey in Rajasthan, India.

Manoj Dholakia
1. Manoj Dholakia, India
image

Once roaming in large numbers across India and Pakistan, blackbucks (Indian antelopes) are now near-threatened.

Manoj Dholakia
2. Law Ingg Thong, Singapore
image

The co-founder of the Herpetological Society of Singapore, Law Ingg Thong has always been fascinated with reptiles and amphibians. Early on, his parents instilled this interest by taking him to nature reserves and wild open spaces.

He says, “Many people don’t think of Singapore as having a rich wildlife, but because it is located in the tropical belt — just one degree above the equator — it has many different species of snakes and frogs, some of which are still unknown.” He mainly tracks creepy crawlies, with a keen eye on the rare ones, such as the white spotted cat snake, and the Selangor mud snake, which was rediscovered and documented after 90 years. Law is currently doing a degree in zoology at the University of Reading in the UK.

Photo above: The Peracca’s Land Crab (perched here on a pitcher plant) can be found in many of Singapore’s nature reserves.

Law Ingg Thong
3. Jacob Emerson, Australia
image

The Gold Coast marine animal keeper is passionate about seals and sea lions, both as a profession and as a hobby. Emerson has been working with animals since he was 16. He studied conservation biology at university, and is formally trained in animal care. Photographing local fauna for over eight years, he always plans his travels according to the wildlife present in each location.

“I love being able to show people the wonderful wildlife that I see, especially endangered species. Because in 10, 20 or 50 years, we may not be able to see these animals ever again,” he says. He is also interested in documenting the unique behaviour of Australia’s endemic wildlife of his country, such as kangaroos and koalas.

Photo above: Seals at Montague Island off the south coast of New South Wales, Australia.

Jacob Emerson
3. Jacob Emerson, Australia
image

A nursing sea lion and her pup.

 

(Related: How wildlife is thriving while we’re staying at home)

Jacob Emerson
4. Liao Tung Kun, Taiwan
image

TK Liao, as he is known, is a filmmaker who has documented wildlife for over 30 years. He developed his lifelong interest in Taiwan’s flora and fauna during his early days in the forestry department, where he honed his expertise in native ecosystems. With a deep personal connection to nature, it has become an important life goal for him to share this passion with the public through his visual stories.

He regularly creates and contributes nature films to the national parks of Taiwan. Two of his documentaries, The Birds of Kinmen and Forests of Taroko have won Platinum awards at the Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival.

Photo above: Despite its name, the crab-eating mongoose also feeds on fish, birds, rodents, snakes, lizards, snails, and here, muntjac.

Liao Tung Kun
5. Peter Ong, Malaysia
image

Peter Ong studied international business law at the London School of Economics before finding his way to wildlife photography through a long career in advertising. Due to his passion for Malaysian wildlife, he created Project Monyet, which documents Malaysia’s primates species. “Primates fascinate me because they are so close to us genetically. I love their intelligence and curiosity, and unique personalities,” he says.

Ong was invited to speak at last month’s Global Biodiversity Festival, and is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature panel for small gibbons. In addition, he is a trained opera singer, has a production company, and performs in concerts and musicals in Malaysia and Singapore.

Photo above: Native to South-East Asia, a long-tailed macaque reaches out for lunch.

(Related: The ‘super corals’ living in urban Singapore)

Peter Ong
  • TAGS:
  • Jane Goodall
  • Nature
  • Wildlife
  • Wildlife Photography
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MCI (P) 089/12/2021. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2022 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.