Kuala lumpur: West Coast Expressway Sdn Bhd (WCE) has contributed RM10,000 to the Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) in support of wildlife conservation efforts through the Zoo Taiping and Night Safari (ZTNS) Animal Adoption Scheme. WCE chief executive officer Lyndon Alfred Felix stated that the contribution, made under the company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, would help cover the care costs of a 12-year-old male 'seladang' or Malayan gaur named Bima, which weighs over 200 kilogrammes.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, WCE's decision to adopt the gaur as their mascot was intentional, as it represents resilience, strength, and endurance, values that resonate with the company's aspirations and work culture. Apart from sponsoring the gaur's care, the contribution also funds two additional initiatives-a mural depicting the WCE alignment and the development of the WCE Pocket Park to enhance visitors' comfort and experience at Zoo Taiping.
WCE's commitment to environmental conservation is further demonstrated by the construction of two Animal Box Culverts (ABCs) along Section 11 of the WCE through the Gunung Bubu Forest Reserve in Kuala Kangsar. This facilitates safe wildlife movement across the area and reflects the company's approach to balancing infrastructure development with biodiversity conservation, aligning with its commitment to sustainable development and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices.
Meanwhile, MPT president Mohamed Akmal Dahalan highlighted WCE's role in supporting wildlife conservation and strengthening ZTNS as a leading tourist attraction in the country. He called on more companies to support conservation efforts to ensure the welfare of zoo animals, acknowledging the high costs involved in caring for them, including food provision.
The Animal Adoption Scheme has seen support from several corporate organisations, including Comfort Rubber Gloves Industries Sdn Bhd, iCare RX Sdn Bhd, Yayasan Kossan, and the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF). Comfort Rubber Gloves Industries sponsors a Malayan tiger, iCare RX a tapir, and Yayasan Kossan a sun bear, each contributing RM10,000. This year, MPOGCF has also contributed RM10,000 towards the care of a Bornean orangutan.