Wildlife monitoring at Labis Timur Ecological Corridor (CFS2:PL1) in Johor, Malaysia

Abstract

Deforestation and illegal poaching caused unprecedented biodiversity loss in Labis Timur Ecological Corridor (CFS2:PL1), Johor, Malaysia. Habitat fragmentation from deforestation caused wildlife diversity depletion by reducing habitat connectivity into degraded forest patches. Thus, it had become a major issue in wildlife management. The diversity of mammals in this corridor was largely unknown and had seldom been quantified. The objectives of this study are to determine the diversity and occupancy of mammals in Labis Timur Ecological Corridor (LTEC) and to determine which location in LTEC is most suitable for building a viaduct. We conducted a camera trap and wildlife sign survey at 34 locations within the LTEC. The study was carried out from 17th October 2016 to 7th January 2017. During a total of 2,503 trap nights, 24 species of terrestrial mammals were photo-captured represented by eight orders and 14 families. This included mammals such as Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica) and Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus) which were listed as critically endangered and endangered species respectively, based on IUCN Red List. From this 24 species, 11 species were Carnivora, five species were Artiodactyla, and three species were Primates. One species each represented the Order Perissodactyla, Proboscidea, Rodentia, Pholidota and Eulipotyphla. The Wild boar species (RAI ± SE; 9.78 ± 2.30) represents the highest Relative Abundance Index (RAI) amongst the mammals’ species recorded, while Leopard cat species (RAI ± SE; 0.03 ± 0.41) represents the lowest RAI. We recommend: (1) viaduct to be built at locations with the highest species richness (camera traps A037 and A078); (2) demarcating LTEC as High Conservation Value (HCV) area; (3) comply firmly on Reduced Impact Logging guidelines for logging activities in this area.