Baby turtle release

50 baby turtles released on the 19th May!

 It's the first ever hawksbill batch release by our intern boy Yong=)

Excited Yong holding the baby turtle (ehem.. with the serious face ooo)

Showing the baby tutles to the curious guest

Excited baby turtles waiting to be release

Link to the video production please click at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRkLt8XaS9Y

Hope you enjoy the video =) 

Whale sinking

Whale sinking? Yes! It's true! We just completed our very first whale sinking this morning at Mataking island!

On the fine morning of 5th May 2010, while me and my divers on our boat journey back from dive site at Cahaya Way (Bohayan island), we come across a dead body of a whale (which later identified as pilot whale).After discussion with the management of Mataking island and with marine mammals expertise from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (Dr. Saifullah A. Jaaman), we decided to tow the pilot whale back to the island.

So, with the boat 003, we towed the whale back to Mataking island and sink it near eel garden (at shollow reef). However, due to strong current, we have to postpon our work till evening and successfully particially submerge. The next morning, we try to strengthen the rope due to fear that the whale will sweep away by the current, and with two attempt, we finally have it tied well and feel good at our job.

To our astonish, next morning the rope loosen, and the whale drift in front of the resort. Another attempt to tie it to the shallow reef behind Mataking Kecil. And till now, it's in good condition (as in it's not drift away, hehe). Will continue to update on the progress of our whale story=)

Till c!

While towing the whale back

PIlot whale suspected to chocked to death because of the fish in the mouth (see... jangan tamahak)

It takes 40 minutes to tow it back to the island, very very very slow speed...

Eeerrriiiieee look.. 

Not sure what causes this...  What you think? 

Taking tissue sample from the pilot whale for UMS collection

Curious neo & agnese

Really big 'little brother' of the whale XD

The end for this time! Till c again!

Reef Day event

The Reef Dive Resort Mataking island going to have annual Reef Day event on the 5th June this year! We're going to have fun, fun, fun, and more FUN this year with the new program and more participants from the private and governmental agencies, as well as students and in-house guest on the 5th!

Not to forget, we also have discover reef check SPECIAL 5 days package for those who'd like to have a taste of conducting a dive survey check on coral reef's health!For more information please email to Miss Carol at sales@mataking.com
for further information.

HWW training in Kudat

17th - 20th March 2010

Thanks to WWF, Mataking The Reef resort able to have one of the resort staff to participate in the Honarary Wildlife Warden (Warden Hidupan Liar Kehormat) training at Kudat. This training was organized by WWF Kudat and Sabah Wildlife Department SWD (Jabatan Hidupan Liar Sabah) aims to train the local community around Sabah (esp in Kudat and including few representative from Lahad Datu and Semporna) to protect the wildlife in own locality with authority given by government (Wildlife enactment).

Together with WWF Semporna marine species officer, Mr. Gavin Jolis, Mataking representative Amelia (that's me!!) launch the trip to Kudat on the 17th. This participation not only aims to train us to become HWW but to identify steps and measures to organize HWW training for local community in Semporna and Mataking in months to come.

Sabah Wildlife Department officer during our registration

Semporna representatives (Gavin - in black jacket and Lia - in red jacket) listen attentively to presentation 

The HWW training was conducted at Kudat Library together with Bengkel Kepimpinan dan tanggungjawab alam sekitar attended by the youth in Kudat area.These youth were encouraged to join our HWW training class to enhance their knowledge too. The participation of these youth has made the class livelier=)

After opening ceremony on 18th March by Mr. Auguestine Tuuga (Timbalan Pengarah JHL) and Mr. Kenneth Kassem ( SSME Malaysia Project Manager), we have whole day theory class with Mr Mohd Soffian, Mr Augustine Tuuga and Mr Jimli Perigin on various topic regarding HWW in law perspective. At night time, Gavin and I join in the Turtle Hatchery management talk by Irwan from Sabah Park aims for the youth.

Mr. Mohd Soffian  

                                            

Mr Augustine Tuuga

                                            

Mr. Jimli Perigin 

Group picture for HWW participants and trainers

On 19th March morning, we departed to Kampung Berungus for HWW practical training and turtle hatchery management training for the youth. Although there's a bit of delay due to transportation problem, overall the both training are of a success. For HWW training, we have role play of the situation that we might face in future as HWW and each team was evaluated on how their perform and given advice to improve the skills. Final paper examination was conducted at night and the training session finally ends.

Waiting patiently for the boat to pick up the HWW participants at Kudat jetty

That's the Berungus island!!

                                    

Miss Sophia patiently entertain everyone while waiting for the VIPs arrival

The house that accommodate us in Berungus

                                    

Turtle hatchery training by Johny (the one with white cap and white shirt)

                                    

Divide into 4 groups for the role play - this is my group (Penyu) with Mr. Jimli 

paper exam to become HWW 

The closing ceremony on 20th is conducted at Kudat Golf & Marina Resort with motivational talk by Datuk Hassan Alban, followed by talk from Mr. Augustine and YB Teo Chee Kang. Participation certification was given out and group photos were taken before the entire training officially ended.

The VIPs for the closing ceremony

                                      

Grab the chance to take final pic with Mr. Jimli Perigin

As usual, a happy group photo before bye bye

~THE END~

Snorkeling guide training

22nd - 23rd March 2010

Mataking staffs were given opportunity to be trained as professional PADI snorkeling guide training by our very own The Reef Dive Center manager cum PADI instructor, Stanio Simbi during the 2 days course conducted in Mataking Island. The purpose of this training is to assess and enhance the quality of snorkeling guide in accordance to the 5 star PADI dive center reputation that we have. 

Throughout the 2 days course, there are a total of 23 participants attending. Stanio or known as Neo, start the theory class on before snorkeling briefing (including mask, snorkel and life jacket function and adjustment & snorkel site briefing), emergency procedure (including treating injuries and breathing related emergency ie use of oxygen tank) and all the participants have to demonstrate once for the instructor to give mark. A simple talk on eco-snorkeling by Lia, marine biologist for Mataking also conducted to ensure that all our snorkel guide are eco-minded while bringing people for snorkeling. 

                                                             

patiently demonstrate the use of mask by our instructor

                                         

The class attended by 23 students

After the theory class, all the participants jumped in the water and start the swimming test. The next day, we continue to more swimming, snorkeling and skin dive test. And finally left only 15 participants who completed the whole course and will be given certification by the resort!! Everyone enjoy the learning process and congratulation to all who passed!!

    

                                           

Demostration of CPR 

                                          

Boat briefing before heading for skin dive test

Tired snorkeler

Great HORRRAAAYY after completion of the snorkeling guide course!

Hopefully with the completion of this course, our snorker guide in Mataking The Reef Dive Resort will be able to give a more professional and fun service to all our snorker guest! =) 

THE END

Coconut crab project (part 3)

Here comes part 3 =p

Team that excitedly showing their 03 CC! Mamat, Mohd Amin, Nic, Madzlan, Ateng, Mohd Khamis & photograher (Ambo)

05 CC found by us! Mumi, Ezwan, M. Amin, Aldon & lia

Finally, brave lia finally have the courage to hold the mighty coconut crab!! huhu!!

The journey of coconut searching continues till 24th march with total finding of 13 coconut crab, 4 release in mataking kecil and 1 being send for specimen. We sacrifice our beloved coconut crab for good reason, though some ppl might not agree with it. It's for education purpose and so that all guest who came to Mataking will have the chance to at least see with their own eyes the magnificient creature and treasure it. Most of th people around the globe don't even have chance to see coconut crab with their own eyes until they came here... 

Habitat destruction (actually cause by human also) leaves impact to this animal. We try our best to preserve it, to make sure that people get educated on the impact of overconsumption of exotic species. 

Thank you for the dedicated team volunterary help in this research!

Last but not least, relocation program of coconut crab 

THE END

Coconut crab project (part 2)

It has been fruitless for the first 2 night =(

Finally, we found our very first coconut crab on the 3rd night at Transect 2!! yippie! 

Our very first coconut crab labelled with 01 at the thorax

First group team mate - Aktar, Mazlan and Jijul 

*note: Aktar sucking his finger because in his first time life-ever attempt to hold the coconut crab, he got a really painful pinch from the crab XD

Me in the middle =p *still not willing to get hold of the coconut crab =.="

Also joining us in our attempt - the busy body cicak kubin XD

The second coconut crab found!

Who say never see coconut crab climb tree! And it's a champ in climbing! Really cool~~

See how high it climb...

At the end of the 4th night (02 was found), we also release 62 of our baby turtles about 11pm at night! 

~The End of Part 2 ~