US envoy ‘impressed’ with Unitech’s rainforest habitat

THE US Ambassador to PNG Leslie Row yesterday visited the University of Technology’s Rainforest Habitat and came away “very impressed”.Ms Rowe was given a tour of the conservation facility, which houses the country’s largest collection of bird species in captivity.

She also was brave enough to handle the habitat guardian, a Bolem python.She said after the visit she was greatly impressed with the programme that the rainforest habitat ran, which included breeding of various birds and animal species, plants and wildlife.She said she was also impressed with the general environment of the university campus, adding the bad press that the university was getting seemed to be “misplaced and unfair”.

(US Ambassador to PNG Leslie Rowe with a Bolem python, while those who have retreated look on anxiously. – Picture courtesy of Unitech Public Relations Office)

She said the US government had approved a conservation programme for the Pacific worth US$60 million (K170 million), to fund coral conservation programmes.PNG is among the six countries in the Pacific to benefit from the programme.

Director of Environment and Research and Management Centre Harry Sakulas, University Development and Consultancy head Jeffery Juju and acting Vice-Chancellor Wilson Tovirika accompanied Ms Rowe to the tour of the facility.They also presented to a proposal for the redevelopment of the habitat to her.Earlier on Tuesday night, Ms Rowe launched the Lae Chapter of the PNG-US Alumni.

Source: The National