The Penang state government has reaffirmed its commitment to wildlife conservation by supporting eco-friendly infrastructure such as canopy bridges to reduce the impact of urbanisation on natural habitats.
State Infrastructure, Transport, and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said three canopy bridges have been built by Langur Project Penang (LPP) to date, including the latest installation, The Obscura, completed last week.
He credited the success of these projects to strong collaboration between the state government and agencies such as the Public Works Department (JKR) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).
“Technical approvals and support from all relevant agencies are essential to ensure smooth project execution,” Zairil said.
“Moving forward, further expansion will be based on necessity, and the state government is prepared to collaborate in supporting such beneficial initiatives,” he told reporters after officiating the wildlife crossing.
The state’s first canopy bridge, Ah Lai’s Crossing in Teluk Bahang, built in 2019, has recorded approximately 7,500 wildlife crossings. Numi’s Crossing in Tanjung Bungah, built in 2024, has logged 800 crossings to date.
Zairil cautioned that unplanned development could severely affect the habitats of various species, including the Dusky Langur (Trachypithecus obscurus), and increase the risk of roadkill as animals attempt to cross busy roads.
“These bridges enable animals to cross safely, reducing the risk of accidents and minimising the impact on their natural habitats,” he said.
He also commended LPP’s achievements, which he said demonstrated the importance of synergy between the government, local communities, researchers, and other stakeholders.
The initiative has received international recognition, with the inaugural bridge featured by global media outlets, including the BBC.
Source: Bernama
