FRIDAY, 17 MAY – In conjunction with World Turtle Day 2013, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through the Borneo Marine Research Institute (IPMB) will be celebrating the day at Mabul Island, Semporna which will be officiated by the Deputy Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Pang Yuk Ming.

The Director of IPMB, Prof. Dr. Saleem Mustafa said the celebration was to educate and create awareness to the public on marine life such as turtle and tortoise, besides encouraging human involvement in helping marine life grow to their potential in their natural ecosystem.

According to him, this activity involved volunteers not only from Sabah but Peninsular Malaysia and outside Malaysia besides students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Pulau Mabul, Semporna.

“About 200 volunteers are expected to join in this effort to ensure the turtle population and its ecosystem are protected,” he said in a press conference at the Gallery, UMS.

He said, IPMB will conduct a census on sea turtles at Mabul Island by capturing, picture taking, measuring and tagging those turtles.

“It is a follow-up project to find a conclusion to the research which is conducted by a group of research group headed by IPMB Senior Lecturer, Dr. Pushpa Palaniappan,” he added.

The programme was organised with the cooperation from the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry Sabah, Sabah Tourism Board through Sabah Parks, Wild Life Department, Uncle Chang, 1Borneo Grand Ballroom and The Borneo Connection will be held on 23 May 2013.

By: Faezah Mohamad Dun/Feria Lee
Photo: Musaab Umair
                                                                                                                       Information and Media Section, Corporate Relations Division