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Oriental Honey Buzzards,<br />
Tanjung Tuan<br />
Photocredit: David Bakewell<br />
conservation and protection of Tanjung Tuan’s natural habitats,<br />
birth forth an awareness event called the Raptor Watch, organised<br />
by the nation’s oldest environmental NGO,the Malaysian Nature<br />
Society almost thirteen years ago. It started off with a group of<br />
like-minded conservationists and birders who started conducting<br />
research on this raptor migration, recognising the fact that they<br />
needed to have an insight on not just the species, and habits of<br />
migratory raptors, but on the environmental health of the area.<br />
From humble beginnings w<strong>here</strong> small tents were set up by the<br />
beach to observe this phenomenon, Raptor Watch has evolved to<br />
be one of the best ecotourism and awareness events that is now on<br />
the official calendar of the Ministry of Tourism.<br />
Held on the first weekend of March every year, at the peak of the<br />
raptor migration, Raptor Watch is organised to create awareness of<br />
Tanjung Tuan’s diverse natural heritage. While the highlight of the<br />
event is the raptor migration, t<strong>here</strong> are a host of activities organised<br />
to get people acquainted with nature, such as the ever popular<br />
forest, mangrove and beach walks. My experience with Raptor<br />
Watch was amazing and till today, I still cannot believe that such a<br />
spectacular natural phenomenon do exist. Exhilaration hits you the<br />
moment you see these raptors come circling in a group, flapping<br />
and gliding before heading off to the northern hemisp<strong>here</strong>, flying<br />
together in the most organised manner.<br />
Raptor Watch is celebrated in a carnival like atmosp<strong>here</strong> and with<br />
the capacity to turn anyone into a nature lover instantly. Standing<br />
right in the middle of the events’ ground and watching the crowd<br />
of happy people consisting of tourists, local residents and even<br />
volunteers trying their hand at bird watching, signing up for a<br />
mangrove, forest or beach tour, listening to music or even getting<br />
their face painted, while the raptors circled overhead, made me<br />
smile. It’s true when they say that the best things in life, are often<br />
free.<br />
Written by Elena Koshy<br />
Member of Malaysia Nature Society<br />
I!<br />
18
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