KOTA TINGGI, JOHOR – Recognised for its international importance to rainforest bird species in Peninsular Malaysia, the Panti Forest Reserve is among the best-known rainforest landscapes in Negeri Johor, and it is home to more than 250 bird species including the threatened Great Argus, Wrinkled Hornbill and the Malaysian Rail-babbler.

This year, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Johor State Forestry Department and Tourism Johor unveiled the ‘Panti Bird Race Johor’, the state’s first ever such event to raise public awareness of Panti Bird Sanctuary within Panti Forest Reserve and rainforest birds and their conservation, whilst strengthening opportunities for nature-based tourism. The inaugural Panti Bird Race is suitably headlined by the Malaysian Rail-babbler, a charismatic bird sought after by almost all birdwatchers visiting Malaysia.  Panti Bird Race Johor is jointly sponsored by the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation and Mapletree Investments, together with Canon Malaysia and Farm Fresh Milk. The race is further supported by BirdLife International, Nature Society Singapore and NEST Malaysia. 

Timed to coincide with the end of the migratory season for birds, the end of Ramadan, the Race brought together more than 140 participants in 44 teams from three  categories, with representation from Johor, Selangor, Sarawak, Penang and Negeri Sembilan. There were also race participants from India, China, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, and a large contingent of 35 from Singapore. Flagging off at 10 am on 27 April, race participants roamed the famed ‘Bunker Track’ in Panti Bird Sanctuary on foot and in pre-arranged vehicles, visiting several checkpoints to look out for species such as broadbills, bee-eaters and babblers. 

Dato' Haji Salim Bin Aman, Director of the Johor State Forestry Department, shared, "It is heartening to see the passion from the birdwatching and nature photography communities in both Malaysia and Singapore joining this event along with our first bird race. We hope that the Panti Bird Race can encourage more people to embrace nature-based activities in Johor, which can also directly benefit local communities. Johor Forestry looks forward to strengthening our collaboration with our partners, the Malaysian Nature Society, related agencies and NGOs to promote Johor’s natural heritage and its conservation, thus making it as an ecotourism destination both nationally and abroad.”

Mapletree Investments Chairman, Mr Edmund Cheng added, “As a socially responsible company, Mapletree is thrilled to sponsor the Panti Bird Race Johor for the first time. This event embodies our CSR commitment to enriching communities through meaningful environmental awareness initiatives. The race brings together like-minded individuals who share a passion for the environment and allows them to connect with a deeper appreciation for nature.”

At the end of the Race, teams gathered for the prize presentation and closing ceremony at Panti Bird Sanctuary’s newly minted visitor centre, graced by YB Ling Tian Soon, Johor State Health and Environment Committee Chairman, Dato' Haji Salim Bin Aman and several representatives of the Forestry, Wildlife and Tourism Departments. Kota Tinggi district officer Tuan Haji Ahmad Nazir Mohd Nasir graced the race flag-off on 27 April. 

Team ‘Manbird’ was the winning team in the Novice Category, recording a total of 50 species and Team ‘M.R.S. Flyers’ in the Advanced Category with a total of 81 Species over the 24-hour period from 27 to 28 April 2024. Meanwhile, Team ‘Wild Only’ beat 14 other teams to win in the Photo Race Category, capturing images of 30 species. In total, more than 120 species were spotted by all the birdwatching teams, while the Photo Race teams took images of more than 50 species. Running in parallel along the Bird Race, over 300 school children from schools across the State took part in various nature activities, including nature walks and rambles organised by the Malaysian Nature Society.

Mr. Vincent Chow, President of the Malaysian Nature Society said, “We are very pleased to see the strong interest in the Panti Bird Race from every segment of society and are grateful to the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation, Mapletree Investments, Canon Malaysia and Farm Fresh Milk for their support and sponsorship.” Mr. Vinayagan Dharmarajah, Regional Director of BirdLife International noted, “The Panti Bird Race provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the important role that birds play.. The Race also created an opportunity for a three-way collaboration between our regional office, and two of our national Partners, the Malaysian Nature Society and Nature Society Singapore, to advance our goals to strengthen biodiversity conservation in the region.”

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Winners of Panti Bird Race Johor

Senior representatives of the organising teams led by Dato’ Salim bin Aman, Director Johor Forestry Department, preparing for the race flag-off, against the backdrop of Panti’s rainforest.

Birdwatching and photography teams gathering at the flag-off point, and getting themselves ready for the Bird Race. 

Team ‘Swag Blue-winged Pitta’ trying to spot a bulbul high up in the Panti forest canopy. 

Participants gathered for the closing and prize-giving ceremony on the morning of 28 April 2024. 

The winning team of the advanced category, the M.R.S. Flyers, receiving their prizes by YB Ling Tian Soon, Johor State Health and Environment Committee Chairman (all images: Malaysian Nature Society Johor Branch)