Sabah wildlife dept’s holding facility severely damaged in landslide

Sabah wildlife dept’s holding facility severely damaged in landslide

Rescued animals had to be translocated to other facilities as well as to the Lokawi Wildlife Park nearby, says the department's assistant director Sen Nathan.

Sabah wildlife department assistant director Sen Nathan (right) and his staff trying to reel in a crocodile to be transferred to another facility. (Sabah wildlife department pic)
KOTA KINABALU:
The Sabah wildlife department was not spared from the bad weather after one of its holding facilities, where a number of animals were kept, was severely damaged in a landslide in Lokawi, Putatan near here yesterday.

Its assistant director Sen Nathan said the 7pm landslide had significantly damaged the cages at their Wildlife Rescue Unit facility, adding the losses could easily amount to at least RM200,000.

Hours of non-stop heavy rain yesterday caused the earth on the hill next to the centre to give way.

“We had to rescue the already-rescued wildlife housed in the cages and translocate them to another facility as well as to the Lokawi Wildlife Park nearby,” he said when contacted.

The translocation involved two crocodiles, three wild-bearded pigs and some macaques, he added.

Sen said they have not properly assessed the true extent of the damage as they are waiting for the weather to improve before clearing up the debris.

“Our first thought was to rescue the animals and we will only clean up the centre later when it is safe to do so,” he said.

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