Earth Day - 22th April 2008 Part 1.

Those don't have Astro at home. Those seldom read newspaper. Those never bother about surrounding. For sure they won't know what and when is the Earth Day.

I would like to share with you guys about the Earth Day celebration together with World Wetland Day with Zoo Negara on 20th April 2008. Here is the a bit info from the person in charge of Aquarium Tunku Abdul Rahman - Herman Bernard.

Zoo Negara is celebrating Earth Day together with World Wetland Day together this 20th April from 9am-6pm. We couldnt celebrate Wetland Day last month coz of elections and etc. So we decided to lump them together. Furthermore, this Earth/Wetland day celebration is also part of the programs lined out for the official re-opening of the Akuarium Tunku Abdul Rahman which will be held either on August 31st or November 15..still not sure which is better, but I'm trying to push it for November! Anyway, as for the events...not much lah, but boleh tahan..As this year's Earth Day is on Climate Change, so we have to do something in relations to that..but we out of topic a bit to incorporate wetlands (..aquariums, fish, plants!). So that's why I'm inviting you guys to join in. MAC is a good Forum, but I think its time for its members to be a bit more active in enviromental conservation...anyway we are dealing with nature and her beautiful treasures. So I think we should also try to 'go green'!. The talk by MAC would have to tie in nature conservation, especially wetlands, with aquarium keeping. This is also a good chance to advertise this forum to the general public, and I'm sure there are many 'kaki akuarium' out there dying to meet you guys.

1. Tree Planting by volunteers 8-12 am

2. Booths (Orang Asli craft, MAC, etc) 9am-6pm

3. Talks and demo 12am-4pm a. Wetlands in Malaysia b. Climate change c. Akuarium Tunk Abdul Rahman-The Malaysia River Journey d. Use of wetland plants by Orang Aslis' e. Frogs f. Demo: How to set up a Biotope Aquarium by MAC (we have not finalized the list of talks yet!)

4. Earth day Quiz, for kids well apart form that we would alos be organizing a fishing compettition first week of July at the Zoo lake..also in conjuction with the aquarium opening. Also will have plenty of booths there...so start planning for that too.

MAC - Malaysian Aquascaping Club was invited to participate with this celebration. The MAC 1st official Nano Tank Champion - Nasir was invited to be the host of the Biotope** tank setup. And myself was his assistant. After few private messages in the forum, we are finally decided to have the Chocolate Gouramis Biotope setup.

Chocolate Gourami (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides)
Aren't it is cute? Hardly see this fish selling in local fish shop. As it can be found in the peat swamp with very acidic water. Which is PH 3.2. Almost same like the vinegar. And keeping it alive is not easy. Read more articles about it before getting it.

Here is the info about Chocolate Gouramis: http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/blog.php?blogid=151

**Biotope = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biotope

p/s: This picture taken by Sony A200. It is always difficult to snap moving object. Especially the aquatic fauna inside the aquarium. As my friend - Edmund able to use his first bought Sony A200 (2nd day hands on only) and snap these 2 little fellas. Great job!