PENANG SHOWCASES ONE-STOP SWIFTLETS' BREEDING CENTRE

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

PENANG (Malaysia), Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Apart from being a lucrative
industry, harvesting edible bird's nest is also fast becoming a tourist
attraction to this island which is known as the 'Pearl of the Orient'.

Massive destruction of swiftlets' natural habitats due to robust development
has forced these birds to migrate to urban zones in search for safer 'homes'.

In the past few years, many swiftlet farms have sprouted in urban areas due
to the handsome returns from the bird's nest industry.

In the heart of Georgetown, a city listed as a World Heritage Site by
Unesco, AeroBio (M) Sdn Bhd has set up a one-stop centre at Market Street here
to showcase the edible bird's nest industry.

HERITAGE ZONE

According to the company's Strategic Business and Corporate Planning
Adviser, N.S. Yong, the centre which is located in the heritage zone of
Georgetown, houses the urban swiftlets' habitat.

The centre also houses the bird's nest cleaning and processing centre,
retail outlet as well as a food and beverage cafe that offers edible bird's nest
refreshment.

"At the centre, visitors can obtain information, among others, on swiftlet
farming and edible bird's nest cleaning," he told Bernama when met at the
centre.

He said at the AeroBio centre, the swiftlets come and build their nests on
their own free will as the centre does not install any sound system to 'draw or
attract' the swiftlets.

"We only provide an environment which has more moisture and dimness to
attract the swiftlets to build their nests in the premise," he said.

He said the birds have been here for many years even before the centre was
set-up and that is the reason why he does not need any sound system to attract
the birds.


CAVIAR OF THE EAST

However, Yong who has 15 years experience in the industry, said the
swiftlets need about 40 to 60 days to build their nests before it is ready to be
harvested.

"Usually 7.00pm-7.30pm is the peak time where many swiftlets return to their
nests," he said, adding that the process of brushing, cleaning and moulding the
bird's nests takes about three months.

He said the centre can produce about 8.0 kg of bird nest daily and its
customers are mainly from Taiwan, China and Hong Kong.

Yong also said at the centre, visitors would have the opportunity to
experience the fly-pass of the swiftlets over their head as the birds are free
to fly and roam within the premises.

"Visitors will also experience the unique feeling of being inside the
swiftlets' habitat and learn about the secret of what has been dubbed as the
'Caviar of the East' or commonly known as edible bird's nest," he said.

He said the centre is also equipped with a laboratory for the visitors to
observe the process of cleaning and moulding the bird's nest.

"Our healthcare products are derived from our own farming house and the
products include essence of bird nest", he added.
-- BERNAMA