Canon celebrates World Wetlands Day 2024 with bird conservation awareness activities

Penang exco for housing and environment Dato’ Seri Sundarajoo Somu (third from left) and Canon Marketing Malaysia Penang Branch head Daren Tan (second from left) with (from L-R) MBSP secretary Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid, Seberang Perai mayor Dato’ Azhar Haji Arshad, MBSP councillor Zainuddin Mohamed and Shorebirds Peninsular Malaysia Project founder Dr Nur Munira Azman at the World Wetlands Day celebration in Sungai Tembus, Penang.

Canon Marketing Malaysia joined hands with the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) and Shorebirds Peninsular Malaysia Project (SPMP) to host a series of bird conservation awareness activities at Sungai Tembus, Penang on Jan 29, 2024, in conjunction with World Wetlands Day.

Every year on Feb 2, World Wetlands Day is observed around the world to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands for human lives and the planet.

The highlight of the event was the launch of a dedicated microsite for shorebirds in Malaysia. Canon sponsored the microsite designed and developed by SPMP, an independent research unit focused on shorebird conservation.

The platform provides comprehensive information on over 70 shorebird species, along with specific locations in Malaysia where these birds can be observed. It also includes a special section featuring the experiences of birders using Canon cameras, along with photography tips and tricks.

The event includes a birding tour by boat at Sungai Tembus to see the birds in their natural habitat.

Penang housing and environment committee chairman Dato’ Seri Sundarajoo Somu expressed his gratitude for the bird conservation activities being held in Sungai Tembus, and highlighted that “Penaga Wetlands is not only a haven for biodiversity but offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of its environmental ecosystems.

“The event also aligns with MBSP’s mission to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals which serve as a compass to MBSP, and we have made significant strides in promoting environmental conservation and sustainable practices in the city, including by reducing per capita emissions and encouraging tree planting activities,” he said.

The event included a range of other engaging activities, such as a birding tour by boat at Sungai Tembus, where guests were provided with Canon cameras for bird watching.

The guests were also treated to educational talks on shorebirds and bird photography, along with a special demonstration on the process of bird ringing. 

A Canon staff enlightening participants on the importance of photography in documenting and championing the conservation of shorebirds and its habitats.

Daren Tan, the head of Penang Branch at Canon Marketing Malaysia stated, “Guided by Canon’s corporate philosophy of ‘Kyosei’, we are delighted to collaborate with our partners and play a part in emphasizing the significance of these ecosystems to ensure their sustainability.”

Aligned with its overarching message, “Imaging for Good,” the company has been steadfastly committed to cultivating a better and more sustainable society.  

The event serves as a continuous extension of Canon’s ongoing conservation endeavours in Sungai Tembus, a designated Key Biodiversity Area, where in 2023, the company planted 200 mangrove trees, contributing to the preservation of the pristine forest and promoting awareness of the crucial importance of ecological conservation.

For more information about shorebirds in Malaysia, visit the microsite here at  https://shorebirds.my.