SELECTED ASPECTS OF FAUNAL CONSERVATION FROM A GLOBAL, REGIONAL AND MALAYSIAN PERSPECTIVE

This paper provides a broad picture and general overview of global mass extinction events and aspects of faunal extinctions in the recent past. It also presents global and regional priority setting for the conservation of landscapes and seascapes and an overview of biodiversity hotspots, plus the application of international programmes such as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites to protect species and their habitats. It provides an insight into global and regional statistics on faunal conservation in order to provide context to faunal conservation efforts in Malaysia. The paper also provides information on specific case studies on both terrestrial and marine fauna that illustrates elements of human exploitation of selected species and the impact on their populations. Several species are featured with regard to recent localised extinctions. With the advent of sustainability awareness, intergovernmental agreements on nature and conservation, the paper gives some examples of national initiatives to protect faunal biodiversity and their habitats. The paper concludes with aspects of sustainable production and consumerism in several key food production areas, both internationally and locally, and provides a view of how sustainability can support the long-term conservation of our faunal biodiversity. This paper aspires to stimulate thinking amongst members of the public on our footprint on planet Earth and the call for us to lead sustainable lives.

DATO’ DR. DIONYSIUS S.K. SHARMA

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

Dato’ Dr. Dionysius Sharma, was Executive Director/CEO of WWF-Malaysia from 2007-2018 and has 35 years of experience in global environmental conservation and management. He holds a BSc in Ecology (University of Malaya) and PhD in Conservation Biology (University of Kent, UK), and has been involved in strategic thinking around issues of conservation leadership, global conservation priority setting, threatened fauna conservation and threatened landscape/seascape conservation. He has served on various technical and advisory bodies including the Malaysian Mega Biodiversity Hub of the Natural Resources Ministry (Interim Board member 2011 to 2013), Sabah Parks Education and Research Advisory Council, Southeast Asia Sustainability Network (Board member 2015-2018), Environment Quality Council (2015-2018), University Putra Malaysia Forestry Department Advisory Council (2014-2016), Universiti Sains Malaysia Industry/Community Advisory Panel (2016-present), Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Malaysia Chapter Leadership Council (2017-2018) and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu – Advisory Board member, Masters of Science in Tropical Biology, Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences (2019 – present). Dr. Sharma was also one of the Scientific Advisors to the Asian Geographic Magazine – The Journal of Our Environment. He is currently on the Advisory Council of the Society of Certified Risk Professionals (SCRP), Board Member of the Pulau Banding Foundation and the Borneo Rhino Alliance, and an Adjunct Professor at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.