SABAH FORESTRY DEPARTMENT

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

The USM SFMP area home to the largest home/habitat of orangutans (the Bornean endemic Pongo pygmaeus morio) in North-eastern Borneo. It is here where the largest population of orangutans is found. They number some 5,000 individuals (Ancrenaz et al, 2005), which accounts to about half of the total orangutan population of Sabah. The USM SFMP area constitutes part of the largest remaining Malaysian unfragmented forested block in Sabah (Yayasan Sabah concession), which if managed conscientiously, will play a major role in harboring what may be the highest numbers of large Bornean mammals at present. This area is an important refuge for key wildlife species. Proper wildlife and habitat management is important for the long-term population viability of these animals.

The wildlife monitoring activities were carried out at two types of habitat, namely less disturbed forest at Malua Forest Reserve and heavily disturbed forest at Bukit Piton Forest Reserve (Figure 1). From the past FMP, both areas recorded sighting of rare threatened and endangered species under Malaysian National Interpretation which is fall under HCV 1 (Species Diversity). The monitoring methods were based on comprehensive field manual of monitoring large terrestrial mammals in Sabah by Ancrenaz (2013) and others related field manual. Amongst wildlife monitoring that were carried out as follows:

1. Opportunistic sighting
2. Night survey
3. Morning survey
4. Bird monitoring
5. Ground Orangutan nest census
6. Hornbill monitoring
7. Camera trapping
8. Saltlick monitoring

 

Figure 1: Wildlife monitoring activities

 

Ground Orang-utan Nest Census (2019)

Census findings in 2019 recorded that the Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio) densities ranges between 1.15 – 4.50 individual/km² in Malua Forest Reserve, and 3.49 individual/km² in Bukit Piton Forest Reserve (Figure 2 and Figure 3). The orangutan nest abundantly detected at the medium size trees and lower crowns of dominant trees i.e. pioneers species (Neolamarckia cadamba, Pterospermum spp.). Data shows higher densities in less disturb forest in Malua Forest Reserve compare to heavily disturbed forest at the Bukit Piton Forest Reserve. However, ground census in Bukit Piton Forest Reserve shows an increment number of nests since 2017. The results indicated population of orangutan is slowly grew as most planted trees began to mature and provide suitable canopy for orangutan nest and foods.

Figure 2: Locations of 5 orangutan nest census in Malua FR and Bukit Piton FR

Figure 3: Graph of annual orangutan densities in five different study sites within Malua FR and Bukit Piton FR

Orangutan grounds census in Malua FR

Bornean orangutan in Bukit Piton FR

 

Opportunistic Wildlife Sightings (Adhoc)
At least five large terrestrial mammals were frequently sighted in 2019 and classified as threatened under IUCN red list criteria such as Bornean Orangutan, North Bornean gibbon, Bornean sun bear, Sunda pangolin and Sambar deer (Figure 4). Sambar deer is the most common and frequently sighted at 0.12-0.57 sighting/day, follow by Bearded pig (0.07-0.29 sighting/day), Bornean Orangutan (0.13-0.29 sighting/day) and Bornean pygmy elephant (0.12-0.28 sighting/day). In addition, some large bird species were sighted i.e. four (4) hornbill species (Helmeted, Asian black, Rhinoceros and Bushy crested) and one storm’s stork. Both, Helmeted hornbill and Storm’s stork known as threatened species under IUCN red list criteria.

As of to date, 58 species of large terrestrial mammals with 24 families were recorded within USM area since the previous FMP. Eight (8) species are classified as totally protected based on the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 i.e. Bos javanicus, Helarctos malayanus, Nasalis larvatus, Neofelis nebolusa, Pongo pygmaeus mario, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, Elephas maximus and Sunda pangolin, and more than 40 species classified under schedule II (protected species-limited hunting with license) and eight (8) species recorded under schedule III (protected species hunting with license).

Figure 4: Annual sightings of RTE wildlife within USM

Night and Morning Survey

The survey in 2019 recorded low detection of threatened wildlife species ranging between 0.002-0.019 sighting/day/km for night drive, and 0.006-0.042 sighting/day/km for morning drive. The morning drive recorded Sambar deer, Bearded pig and North Borneo gibbon frequently sighted within Malua Forest Reserve, while Bornean orangutan frequently sighted within Bukit Piton Forest Reserve. The night drive indicates a different result whereby Bornean pygmy elephant, sambar deer and Slow loris were frequently sighted in Malua and Bukit Piton Forest Reserves.

 

   

Wildlife animals in Malua Forest Reserve. (left) Banded palm civet; and (right) Western Tarsie

Bird Survey
No additional of new bird species surveyed in 2019. Record for both areas maintain at 177 bird species whereby 6.21% or 11 of bird species were classified as threatened under the IUCN red list i.e. Helmeted hornbill, Storm’s stork, Black crowned pitta, Blue headed pitta, Bornean wren babbler, Scaly-breasted Partridge, Great slaty woodpecker, Large billed blue flycatcher, Large green pigeon, Short toed coucal and Wallace's hawk eagle. Whereas, 93.79% or 166 of bird species classified as low risk.

| 2018 | 2019 |