World Wide Fund for Nature - WWF Malaysia

"Saving Species and Protecting Natural Habitats"

One of the nation's premier environmental organizations, WWF Malaysia focuses on scientific research on endangered animals and natural habitats. Started in 1972, today this conservation group deals with a broader range of environmental issues from species extinction to government policy to public awareness campaigns.

Covering the country from Langkawi in Peninsular Malaysia to the Kinabatangan in Borneo, WWF Malaysia is a national conservation trust that runs more than 75 projects involving environmental protection and nature conservation.

Go To WWF Malaysia

WWF Malaysia: Conservation Program

An overview of the conservation work with wild species and the major nature biomes and taking place throughout the country:

Species

Malaysia is biologically rich. It is in the top 12 countries for plant and animal species diversity. But many of these jungle animals are threatened.
Photo: B_cool Creative Commons For example 14% (39 of 280 species) of Malaysian mammals are recognized as endangered species. WWF Malaysia concentrates its protection and management on six flagship species:

• Malayan tiger
• Bornean pygmy elephant
• Sumatran rhinoceros
• Orangutan
• Hawksbill turtle
• Green turtle

Focusing on these particular rainforest and marine animals requires conserving large habitats and preventing major threats that also protect a great variety of associated species connected to these ecosystems. Loss of habitat (e.g. illegal logging), poaching (e.g. rhino horn) and the illegal trade in wildlife (e.g. pangolin) continue to reduce the numbers of many of these magnificent wild animals.

With a jungle full of reptiles, small mammals and exotic birds, Malaysia remains a hub for the wildlife trade, both legal and illegal. WWF works together with TRAFFIC Southeast Asia and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks to try and combat a secret army of poachers.

Forests

Tropical rainforests only occur in South America, Central Africa and Southeast Asia. One of the most productive ecosystems on earth, Malaysian rainforests are among the oldest on the planet. Forests still cover over 50% of Malaysia's land area. These remaining forests face threats from unsustainable logging, illegal removal of forest products and encroachment.

The Heart of Borneo conserves pristine tropical rainforest on almost 30% of the world's third largest island. Including forests in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, it is also one of only two places on earth where orangutans, rhinos and Asian elephants coexist.

The Kinabatangan Corridor of Life project aims to establish a balance between the growing demands of private land development, the local community and the need to protect its unique wildlife. Located on the east coast of the Malaysian state of Sabah in Borneo, it is arguably the last forested alluvial floodplain in Asia.

In 1999, the state government declared the Lower Kinabatangan as Sabah's 'Gift to the Earth'.

Freshwater

Forested wetlands are critical habitats for waterbirds, fisheries and coastal protection. WWF Malaysia focuses its activities on conserving river basins, sustainable water use, and conserving freshwater habitats.

Marine

Warm tropical seas nurture coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds. The Straits of Malacca, South China Sea, Sulu Sea, and Sulawesi Sea form the boundary between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. This convergence puts Malaysian waters in the centre of the Coral Triangle - the world's richest marine waters.

These warm tropical waters are also home to one of the world's largest populations of endangered green sea turtles and other endangered marine species such as hawksbill turtles, dugongs, whale sharks, and humphead wrasse.

WWF Malaysia: How To Get Active

Everyone can be part of the solution. Make decisions based on environmental awareness. Volunteer for a conservation project. Donate your time and skills to assist in an environmental campaign. Or support a conservation cause to protect one of your favorite tropical animals.

Here are some suggestions on the numerous ways that you can make a difference:

Join WWF: Find out how you can volunteer your time and work towards saving a living planet!

Donate: Your contributions matter. Make a donation towards saving our natural resources and rich natural heritage.

Shop and Save: Help protect nature by purchasing WWF merchandise that channel proceeds to environmental projects.

Get to Work at Work: Organize your company to partner with the organization to support a conservation cause that's good for business.

Do Your Home Work: Make a positive difference in your local environment. Simple actions lead to others practicing a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

WWF Malaysia - Career and Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are needed as and when there is a request from specific conservation projects. Announcements will be made in the Volunteering and Internship section. Check their website for further updates.

• Submit a copy of your resume with availability (duration) for volunteering to careersjobs[at]wwf.org.my

• WWF strongly encourages people from diverse backgrounds to join in protecting the environment. Staff come from backgrounds as diverse as accounting, biology, business management, communications, environmental management, forestry, fisheries, information technology, and photography among others.

• Even the current Executive Director, Dr Dionysius Sharma, came in as a trainee in 1990 to study marine turtles and terrapins and after 16 years became the first home-grown talent to lead WWF-Malaysia.

[Note: WWF Malaysia is known as the World Wide Fund for Nature to reflect its overall mission. In the United States, WWF remains the World Wildlife Fund.]