Malaysian island's World Heritage status in jeopardy

USA Today reports on the planned high-rise hotel development on Malaysian Island Penang which threatens its UNESCO World Heritage label.

The capital Georgetown is a protected World Heritage site; a status that does not permit the town to build buildings over a certain height.

The city approved four new high-rise hotels violating the height limit and putting the protected status in jeopardy.

Read the full story: Development at Malaysian World Heritage site raises concerns

Endangered Malaysian lizards off the menu

The Malaysia Sun reports on the seizure of over 200 endangered lizards believed to be bound for foreign restaurants. Malaysian wildlife officials found the lizards by chance when conducting a random check on an estate:

"Two years ago, the state's wildlife officers seized 5,400 clouded monitor lizards bound for Hong Kong, [state wildlife director Saharudin Anan] said. Those caught for smuggling endangered species of animals face a fine of up to 5,000 ringgit ($1470) and three years in prison."

Although the clouded monitor lizard is endangered it still is considered a delicious meal to some as well as having healing medicinal qualities.

Read the full story: Malaysian wildlife officials save wok-bound monitor lizards