The clouded leopard found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra are considered a separate species of large cats according to a genetic study done by scientists. The species was thought to be the same as the ones found in mainland South East Asia. The Bornean Clouded Leopard has small "cloud" markings, many distinct spots within the cloud markings, darker grey fur, and a double stripe running along its back. Clouded leopards from the mainland have large clouds on their skin with fewer, often faint, spots within the cloud markings, and they are lighter in colour, with a tendency toward tawny-coloured fur and a partial double dorsal stripe.
Between 5,000 and 11,000 Bornean clouded leopards are estimated to live on Borneo. The total number in Sumatra could be in the range of 3,000 to 7,000. Destruction of their habitat is their main threat. The last great home of the Bornean Clouded Leopard is the Heart of Borneo, a 220,000 square kilometre region - five times the size of Switzerland - in wild, mountainous countryside in the centre of the island covered with equatorial rainforest.
Last month in Bali, the ministers of the three Bornean governments - Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia, signed an historic declaration to conserve and sustainably manage the Heart of Borneo. This has put the area on the global stage of conservation priorities.
Earlier this month, the International School of Brunei (ISB) excellently hosted the Borneo Global Issues Conference (BGIC) which helped launched ISB's Million Trees Project and also brought into light Brunei Darussalam's commitment to the Heart of Borneo programme.
Bobby and I attended the ISB's Green Gala Dinner where renowned speakers like Professor David Bellamy and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Wangari Maathai spoke about the importance of rainforests in conservation efforts and what we could do for the 3rd rock from the sun.
There was also William Barton, a famous Didgeridoo player, playing what else...his Didgeridoo. Pretty awesome stuff.
Save. The. Planet. Folks.
I think it's wonderful how "eco-consciousness" is rearing its lush green head again. It seems that global awareness of our environment is really starting to pick-up again, especially by global brands. Of course one can be totally cynical, say it's all "ra ra" and just a marketing strategy to get people to buy their products which help them feel good about themselves for being socially conscious without having to do anything really but continue consuming.Whooh long sentence! However I do believe every bit counts which is why I liked this entry of yours Emma and Bun :) The other reason for this comment relates to our love of shoes. I just read an article on how we can measure our carbon footprint the next time we ooh and aah over those to-die-for shoes/bags etc. Although it's all for a good cause, I now feel a bit dizzy from the thought of more information overload...sigh! See 'How Green is my Purchase?' at http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/21/business/green4a.php
Ciao bella! x
Posted by: stella | Thursday, 22 March 2007 at 11:07 PM