Talk on Madagascar on Jan 15

KOTA KINABALU: Well-known Sabah publisher Datuk C.L. Chan will be presenting a public talk on 'Madagascar: Extraordinary Island, Magical Journeys', according to Stella Moo-Tan, president of the Sabah Society.

Chan, who visited the island republic recently, has returned with nostalgic memories and hundreds of stunning images of this beautiful country.

Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world after Borneo, has thousands of animal and plant species of which over 80% are endemic to the island. All the 100 or so species of lemurs are found only in Madagascar. Six of the seven species of baobab trees are also endemic to the island.

Illegal logging has been a problem in Madagascar for decades and is perpetuated by extreme poverty and government corruption. Often taking the form of selective logging, the trade has been driven by high international demand for expensive, fine-grained timber such as rosewood and ebony.

The talk will be held on Tuesday, 15 January, at the Society's secretariat at Lot 34, 1st Floor, Block E, Damai Plaza, Phase 4, Luyang 88300 Kota Kinabalu. (opposite Damai Point). For more information, please contact Monica at 088-250 443. All are welcome.