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When it comes to Valentine’s Day, it goes without saying that gifts that come in the form of products – be it makeup, handbags, watches, jewellery or flowers are what most of us would think about instantly. However, what would you do if your partner isn’t one who appreciates these gifts but prefers surprises in other forms?
The pandemic has not only impacted us humans but it has also greatly affected many wildlife and environmental conservation bodies too. This V-Day, why not surprise your loved one by ‘adopting’ an animal or a tree from one of these local organisations below? Here are five adoption drives that you can consider contributing to:
For the partner who loves the underwater world
Last year, the New Straits Times published an article listing terrapins as one of the 25 most critically endangered freshwater turtles and tortoises in the world. To help protect and ensure that these innocent creatures continue to reproduce progressively, the River Terrapin Conservation Project in Kemaman River, Terengganu, is carried out annually. The main aim of this project is to ensure that the eggs from river terrapins are secured for incubation to increase their chances of hatching. To adopt a nest that has 10-25 eggs on average will only cost you RM50. In return, you’ll be kept informed about your adopted nest and its progress accordingly – including how many eggs have hatched and how many terrapins were released into the river successfully. Keeping up with the entire process can be nerve-racking as you can’t see or touch these terrapins, but imagine the utmost satisfaction that you and your partner will get when your contribution is a success!
To find out more: Visit turtleconservationsociety.org.my.
For the partner who dreams of going on long safari trips
Think about the joy on your partner’s face when he/she hears that you’ve donated the same amount of money that you’d have used to buy something exorbitant, to feed animals instead. Ever since the pandemic started, Zoo Negara Malaysia has been badly hit. To help reduce its burden, you can choose to ‘adopt’ an animal of your choice. There are a few options for you to choose from: above RM50, above RM100, above RM200 and above RM500, all of which can be purchased via ticket2u. No amount you decide to contribute is too small as the funds from this drive will be used to feed the animals and keep our national zoo running. In return, your name will be officially listed on Zoo Negara Malaysia’s official website along with the amount you’ve contributed, and you’d also be able to find out which animal your donations were allocated to.
To find out more: Visit zoonegaramalaysia.my.
For the partner who has a soft spot for kids
Did you know that the more you learn about orangutans, the more you’ll realise how similar their traits are to human beings? In short, they’re almost like babies! Thanks to illegal logging, deforestation and other unethical conversions of forests into city areas, the lives of our orang utans are at stake. The Semenggoh Wildlife Centre of Semenggoh Nature Reserve in Sarawak is doing its best to feed and take care of the basic needs of the orang utans living in this forest, which is one of the biggest orangutan rehab centres in Sarawak. Unlike other adoption drives where you can’t choose which animal to adopt, this centre works differently as you get to select which orangutan you’d like to fund. Their profiles are uploaded on the organisation’s official website and the public can ‘adopt’ any one of them for a fee of RM200 per year. In return, you’ll receive quarterly updates about your ‘baby’ as well as a certificate.
To find out more: Visit semenggoh.my.
For the partner who loves big bear hugs
Being one of the smallest species of bears in the world, sun bears are most vulnerable among the lot, red listed under the category of Vulnerable to Extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN). The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) is the only sun bear organisation in the world and its main function is to rehabilitate rescued sun bears and educate the public about this species of bears. Fun fact: in line with Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day, there’s a promo package that you can opt for to adopt a sun bear! For RM250 per year, you can choose which sun bear you’d like to ‘adopt’ from the organisation’s official website. In return, you and your partner will both get e-certificates, photographs of your adopted sun bear and updates about him/her plus a mention on the organisation’s Facebook and newsletter. Grab this chance so you and your partner can get ready to send virtual (bear) hugs to your new family member soon!
To find out more: Visit bsbcc.org.my.
For the minimalist partner
Instead of merely getting plants as decorative items for your home, why not spend a little more to adopt a tree at Pantai Eco Park? This project is a collaboration between the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd with the intention of increasing the greenery in the park that will be beneficial for the future generation. In the long run, the founders of this project plan on making Pantai Eco Park a hub for our natural flora and fauna, and hope that this initiative will help to preserve our ecosystem. With a fee of RM140, you can choose to either donate a tree, donate and volunteer to plant your own tree, or volunteer to take care of the trees at this park. All you’ll need to do is send in your submission online and you’re done! If you and your partner are both plant lovers, this can be a great long-term hobby that you can take part in on your days off.
To find out more: Visit mns.my.
Featured image: Jamie Street @ Unsplash
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