Web
  www.wildlife.gov.my
 
 
 
  BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION  
     
 
Biodiversity Inventory
Full Time Surveillance at National Parks
Wildlife Disturbance
Conservation of Endangered Species
Strategic Impact Assessment
Habitat Enrichment
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................
 

CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES

1. Conservation Of Endangered Species
 
Six species are given priority for in-situ conservation. Apart from monitoring wild populations, there are also efforts to reintroduce and restock certain species, and translocate others. The six priority species are: Sumatran Rhinoceros, Gaur, Tiger, Elephant, Pheasant dan Milky Stork.
 
   
i.
Sumatran Rhinoceros factsheet
 

Field surveys are conducted in areas known to be Sumatran Rhinoceros habitats. The Rhino Protection Unit (RPU), established in 1995, conducts on-the-ground patrols to safeguard the species from poachers. The main task of this unit is to monitor the Sumatran Rhinoceros, gathering information on feeding habits, habitat, as well as patrolling to deter habitat encroachment and illegal hunting of this species.

Camera-traps have also been set up to capture photographic evidence of the presence of Sumatran Rhinoceros and other wildlife species. Sumatran Rhinoceros seen or detected via camera trap will be captured for captive breeding purposes if the area in which they are found is no longer safe for them.

   
ii. Gaur factsheet
 

Information on wild gaur populations is gathered through the biodiversity inventory programmes and RPU patrols, which is then analysed for management of the species.

There are currently 48 gaur in three captive centres. Suitable individuals from these centres are being prepared to restock several areas; the Krau Wildlife Reserve, Pahang and Taman Negara Pahang. The objective of this programme is to increase gaur numbers in the wild, following IUCN Reintroduction Guidelines.

   
iii.

Information on wild tiger populations is gathered through the biodiversity inventory programmes, RPU patrols and camera-trapping, which is then analysed for management of the species.

Community outreach programmes are conducted in collaboration with MYCAT (Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers). This programme will be continued in other high tiger conflict areas, such as Perak, Kelantan, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan and Terengganu.

   
iv. Elephant factsheet
 

Information on wild elephant populations is gathered through the biodiversity inventory programmes, RPU patrols and camera-trapping, which is then analyzed for management of the species.

Elephants labelled as serious problem elephants under the human-wildlife conflict situations are translocated by the Elephant Capture Unit and the National Elephant Conservation Centre.

Since 1974, 540 elephants have been translocated: 183 to Terengganu National Parks, 44 to Endau Rompin National Park , 59 to Royal Belum National Park and 58 to other suitable forested habitats. .

 
v.
Pheasant
 

Six species of pheasants are currently in captive breeding programmes for reintroduction and restocking into protected areas such as Taman Negara National Park, Krau Wildlife Reserve, Pahang; Sungkai Wildlife Reserve, Perak and Sungai Dusun Wildlife Reserve, Selangor. The 6 species are Great Argus, Mountain Peacock-Pheasant, Malaysian Peacock, Crestless Fireback, Crested Fireback and Green Peafowl.

Pheasants being prepared for release are kept in temporary cages specifically constructed to simulate their natural habitat as far as possible. Radio-collars are set on each bird to enable post-release monitoring. Continuous monitoring on the released birds will take place for at least a month. After this period, observation will be done once a week until the birds can survive in the new habitat naturally by themselves. Food is provided at the early stage of release to make sure the birds feed sufficiently.

Pheasants are released in pairs to increase the probability of breeding. Reintroduction of a particular species into an area will continue until there are a confirmed minimum of 6 pairs which survive there.

 
vi.
Milky Stork
 

In Peninsular Malaysia, the Milky Stork population is extremely small. The remaining wild population can only be sighted around Kuala Gula, Perak. In 2005, the highest number of individuals sighted was 8. In 1998, 10 individuals were released into the mangrove forest in Kuala Selangor, a collaborative programme among DWNP, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and the National Zoo. To date, 4 of them can be sighted around the area.

On the 4th March 2007, another 4 pairs were released into Kuala Gula, Perak, a joint programme between DWNP and the National Zoo. Four individuals are easily seen around Kuala Gula. While there were sightings of the 5th individual within 1 month after the release, there have been no signs of the others yet.

The Milky Stork Reintroduction Programme will continue until at least 150 individuals are recorded, and the birds breed in the wild successfully. The released birds will be monitored via satellite radio collars.

Awareness programmes on this species are conducted to facilitate cooperation from the local communities.

   
vii. Bird capture and ringing programme (Waterbirds)
 
Objective of this programme is to study the species richness of waterbirds as well to obtain their morphological information. Until 2005, 15 areas have been studied with 16,614 birds captured and ringed and 1,603 birds were recaptured. List of birds recorded are in Appendix 6.1.
 
Bertujuan untuk mengetahui spesies burung yang terdapat di sesuatu kawasan dan pengumpulan data morfologinya. Sehingga 2005, sebanyak 15 kawasan telah dikaji. Jumlah burung yang dijaring dan digelangkan adalah sebanyak 16,614 ekor dengan 1,603 tangkapan semula (burung air). Senarai Burung-burung yang telah dijaring dan digelangkan adalah seperti: Lampiran 6.1
   
   
2. Commercial Species
 
i. Cave Swiftlet
 

Research in collaboration with local authorities on cave swiftlet houses was done to identify their abundance and distribution all over Peninsular Malaysia. Research on nutrient contents of the swiftlets' nests are being carried out in collaboration with the Institute of Medical Research (IMR). The main objective is to identify the differences in nutrient contents of the birds' nest from samples taken from Bentong, Pahang; Bandar Hilir, Melaka; and Kuala Krai, Kelantan.

   
ii. Non-detrimental findings
 
Monitor Lizard, Python and King Cobra
Studies on monitor lizard, python and king cobra populations have been conducted to estimate their population and distribution in Peninsular Malaysia. Studies took place in different types of habitats including palm oil plantations, lowland forest, mangrove forest as well as paddy fields, in Johor, Selangor, Pahang, Perak, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.
 
Long-tailed Macaque
Studies on Long-tailed Macaque populations have been done in Peninsular Malaysia, covering forest fringe, “belukar” area, plantations as well as known conflict areas. Currently, the population of Long-tailed Macaques in Peninsular Malaysia is estimated to be about 742,000.