KUCHING – Bornean folks, which include Sarawakians, Sabahans, Bruneians and Kalimantanese, are checking out every piece of terrain, swampland, riverine marshes, treetops and some are even “beating around the bushes” to hunt for frogs and other amphibian species endemic to the island.
These 'species hunters' are a part of The International Bornean Frog Race (IBFR) – an annual public outreach event (Race) – which is now gaining momentum after it was soft-launched on August 26 by the State Tourism, Art and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The annual Race, which was first held in in 2012, is organised by the Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation Institute of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas). The Race aims to draw attention to the region’s rich amphibian fauna and at the same time deliver niche messages on nature conservation and amphibian protection – while promoting ecotourism and sustainable lifestyles.
“This year’s Race which kicked off on September 1 is set to end on November 30. Traditionally, celebrated on the last weekend of April, the event coincides with the annual ‘Save the Frogs Day’, a global event celebrated via 270 events in over 30 countries worldwide, to highlight conservation issues facing the world’s amphibians,” Dr Pang Sing Tyan, project manager of the 9th IBFR, told The Vibes.
“The Race is proudly introducing a new version, in line with the current norm of social distancing and of online learning. The event is on ‘hybrid mode’ and is sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Tourism Sarawak and supported by Business Events Sarawak/Sarawak Convention Bureau.”
Pang says, of the approximately 190 species of frogs known in Borneo, 140 (or nearly three-quarters) are endemic to the island. “Of those whose conservation status has already been assessed, 83 species have been classified as threatened – representing nearly half the known amphibian fauna of the island.
“These figures are of course, conservative estimates. This means they indicate insufficiency in current knowledge of Bornean frogs, and a need for further research on a diverse series of disciplines ranging from taxonomy and systematics to ecology, ethology, and distribution,” she says.
Pang emphasised that participants in this Race are only to find and photograph the species, not to handle them or disturb their habitat. The frog species are to be photographed using any device – be it a camera or a mobile phone, on any location on Borneo island.
The photos are to be uploaded onto the 'iNaturalist' platform and will be the subject of a photographic competition at the end of the event.
She also said monthly webinars by renowned conservationists and amphibian specialists will be held in these three months until the end of November. This year’s Race will end with a closing and prize-awarding ceremony in early December 2021 – depending on the pandemic situation, where talks, workshops, and exhibitions may be held.
Participants are also entitled to a monthly Frog Race Newsletter, downloadable field guides to amphibians in PDF format and a customised e-certificate. She said the cash prizes are generous, thanks to the sponsors, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak.
Monthly cash prizes are RM200 (September, October, and November) for five winners of the following categories, 'Best Photo' and 'Most Number of Species Found', for September, October and November.
The grand prizes for two categories, are RM1000 (3rd prize), RM1500 (2nd prize) and RM2500 (1st prize) to be given away during the grand closing ceremony planned for December.
“These activities are expected to highlight the great beauty and diversity of amphibians on the island, and especially in Sarawak. The event continues to be an unusual ecotourism product that highlights the rich biodiversity in Sarawak and thereby provides strong support to the tourism sector,” she said, adding, the Race is still open for those who wish to participate. – The Vibes, September 12, 2021
