KOTA KINABALU: A group of designers sculpted a rhinoceros in sand to pay tribute to “Gelugob” who died at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park last year.
Gelugob, one of the ten Sumatran rhinoceros in captivity worldwide, was 37 years. It was 17-year-old when rescued from Bulud Napa, Kinabatangan in 1994.
Henry Bong, 30, from Kuching said his group of four decided to use rhinoceros, an iconic species to the people of Sabah, as the theme for their Tanjung Aru Sand Sculpting competition here yesterday.
“It is sad to learn one of the near extinction species in world died and its population is declining.
“Through this competition, we would like to raise the awareness among people that perhaps fewer than 25
Sumatran rhino is surviving in Sabah,” he said, adding the group hope public would take part in conservation efforts.
Prior to the competition, Bong and his colleagues had made a thorough research and printed the images of Sumatran rhinoceros.
The group wanted to make a real size of Gelugob, about one-metre high and three-metre width, but due to time constraint they had to reduce it by 30 per cent.
They won second place and brought home a hamper worth of RM150.
Bong’s team was among 15 groups participated in the one-day competition organised by non-governmental
organisation Tanjung Aru Action Group 2.0.
Co-organiser Stephie Joseph Benedict, 27, said the programme hoped the public including youth and children to get to know about current issues.
“They have to come out with themes such as wildlife, environment, cultural among others besides having to sculpt their sand designs within three hours.”
Comments
Post a Comment