Malaysia: nessuna protezione per i fossili (No protection for fossil)

Anche in Malaysia i beni paleontologici non sono accuratamente protetti: sparite ossa di un mammifero pleistocenico !!

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No protection for fossil

IN PERAK’S Gua Naga Mas, there is a fossil of a mammal embedded in the cave wall. It was found in 1992. No real tests have been done, but the fossil is thought to be a leopard or other cat, and may date to the Pleistocene, 1.8 million to 10,000 years BP.The Department of Museums and Antiquities erected a sign at the base of the steps leading up to the cave. My first visit to the site was in 1996. On subsequent visits, by comparing my photos over the years, I could see that pieces of the fossil have been removed.

It is disheartening to find that unscrupulous people have been removing these ancient bones, and that nothing has been done to protect them. I tried to get to the cave recently and found that the sign was missing, and the steps were overgrown.

Also a factory has encroached right up to the hillslope. This fossil is thought to be the only one known in Southeast Asia. It is sad to see that the authorities have done nothing to protect this site.

I hope the museums or tourism departments will take action to preserve such an important piece of Malaysia’s past.

Liz Price
Kuala Lumpur

source: http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=26787

Other links: Liz Prices web site on “Malaysian caves”