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Wildlife Diversity Near Natural Saltlicks
in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve
April 2014
© WWF-Malaysia
i
List of acronyms
ii
Acknowledgements
iii
Executive summary
iv
Ringkasan eksekutif
v
1. Introduction
1
2. Study location
3
3. Study methods
5
3.1 Camera-trapping
5
3.2 Data analysis
6
4. Findings
7
4.1 Wildlife diversity near saltlicks
7
4.2 Frequency of wildlife visits
10
4.3 Timing of wildlife visits
13
4.4 Human presence near saltlicks
15
5. Threats to saltlicks
16
5.1 Poaching and encroachment
16
5.2 Unsustainable land-use
18
5.3 Unsustainable tourism
18
6. Management recommendations
20
6.1 Strengthen anti-poaching measures
20
6.2 Control land-use activities near saltlicks
21
6.3 Regulate tourism activities near saltlicks
22
References
24
Appendices
27
Author: Zalina Bashir Ali
Photo credits: WWF-Malaysia
ISBN: 978-967-0237-33-6
Suggested citation: Bashir Ali, Z. 2014.Wildlife diversity near natural saltlicks in the
Ulu Muda Forest Reserve. WWF-Malaysia, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
Copyright © 2014WWF-Malaysia
Contents
© WWF-Malaysia/Zalina Bashir Ali
ii
List of Acronyms
DWNP
Department of Wildlife and National Parks
FMU
Forest Management Unit
HCVF
High Conservation Value Forest
FR
Forest Reserve
IBA
Important Bird Area
IUCN
International Union for the Conservation of Nature
KSFD
Kedah State Forestry Department
MTCC
Malaysian Timber Certification Council
PRF
Permanent Reserved Forest
UMFR
Ulu Muda Forest Reserve
iii
WWF-Malaysia’s camera-trapping study in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve was made possible through the
support and generous funding received from The Coca-Cola Company and the Malaysian public, to
whom we are deeply thankful. We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Hymeir
Kamarudin of Earth Lodge in Ulu Muda, without whose tireless assistance in monitoring our camera-
traps, the study would not have been possible. Additionally, we would like to thank the Kedah State
Forestry Department, the Kedah Department of Wildlife and National Parks, and the Forestry
Department of Peninsular Malaysia, for permitting us to conduct this research in the Ulu Muda Forest
Reserve. We also thank the Muda Agricultural Development Authority for their continued support of and
interest in our conservation initiatives in Ulu Muda. Last but not least, a special thank you to everyone
who provided their technical inputs, suggestions and reviews to this report.
Acknowledgements
Charok Tera is one of the tributaries of Muda Lake in Ulu Muda
© WWF-Malaysia/Zalina Bashir Ali
iv
The Greater Ulu Muda forest complex in Kedah is the largest remaining tract of contiguous rainforest in
north-western Peninsular Malaysia. The forest is home to a diverse array of wildlife which includes at
least 112 species of mammals and most of the large mammals found in Malaysia. Another unique feature
of Ulu Muda is an abundance of natural saltlicks. These deposits of salt or other minerals in the ground or
water of mineral springs are generally believed to provide an important mineral supplement to the diets
of wildlife, particularly herbivorous animals.
Relatively little is known about the utilization of saltlicks by wildlife in Ulu Muda. In order to establish
baseline information on the species of wildlife that commonly visit saltlicks and the frequency and timing
of these visits, WWF-Malaysia conducted camera-trapping near four natural saltlicks in the Ulu Muda
Forest Reserve (one of the seven forest reserves within the Greater Ulu Muda forest complex) over a 20-
month period from 2011 to 2013.
A total of 31 species of animals were detected in the vicinity of saltlicks during the study, of which 15 were
observed directly at a saltlick. Our records included three species which are listed as Endangered in the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and one
species which is listed as Endangered in the Red List of Mammals for Peninsular Malaysia, further adding
to Ulu Muda’s conservation value. The most frequently detected species at saltlicks were sambar deers,
Malayan tapirs, Asian elephants, wild boars, barking deers and pig-tailed macaques; the first three of
which visited saltlicks predominantly at night and the latter three of which visited saltlicks predominantly
during the day.
In the interest of conserving Ulu Muda’s saltlicks as important resources for wildlife, WWF-Malaysia
suggests the implementation of the following management recommendations to address some of the
most pertinent threats to saltlicks in Ulu Muda:
Gazetting Ulu Muda as a protected area
Identifying all saltlicks and surrounding 2km buffer zones as High Conservation Value Forest
(HCVF) and managing these as strict conservation areas
Intensifying patrolling and anti-poaching measures near saltlicks
Prohibiting and controlling access into the forest and to saltlicks by sealing off old logging roads
and establishing check points at key entry points such as the Muda Lake jetty
Engaging local villagers and stakeholders as informants to report potential poaching activities
Collaborating with the Malaysian Army to apprehend foreign encroachers
Controlling tourism activities near saltlicks by limiting public access to a single natural saltlick
Ensuring that all visitors are accompanied by entrusted guides and adhere to set guidelines when
visiting saltlicks
Executive summary
v
Kompleks hutan Greater Ulu Muda di Kedah merupakan rangkaian hutan hujan tropika terbesar yang
terletak di bahagian barat laut Semenanjung Malaysia. Hutan Ulu Muda mempunyai kepelbagaian
hidupan liar yang tinggi dengan sekurang-kurangnya 112 spesis mamalia termasuklah kebanyakan spesis
mamalia besar yang terdapat di Malaysia. Di samping itu, Ulu Muda juga unik disebabkan wujudnya
banyak kawasan sira semulajadi di hutan ini. Tanah ataupun mata air sira-sira ini mampu membekalkan
garam galian yang penting sebagai nutrisi tambahan kepada hidupan liar, terutamanya bagi haiwan-
haiwan herbivor.
Pengetahuan mengenai penggunaan sira-sira di hutan Ulu Muda oleh hidupan liar adalah sangat terhad.
Bagi memperolehi maklumat mengenai spesis-spesis haiwan yang biasanya mengunjungi sira beserta
maklumat mengenai kekerapan dan masa kunjungan ini, WWF- Malaysia telah menjalankan kajian
kamera perangkap berhampiran dengan beberapa buah sira di Hutan Simpan Ulu Muda (salah satu
daripada tujuh buah hutan simpanan kekal di kompleks hutan ini) selama 20 bulan dari tahun 2011
hingga 2013.
Sepanjang tempoh kajian, 31 spesis haiwan telah dikesan berhampiran dengan sira-sira yang dikaji, dan
15 spesis diantaranya telahpun dikesan secara langsung di kawasan sira. Tiga daripada spesis-spesis yang
telah diperhatikan tersenarai sebagai Terancam di dalam International Union for the Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, manakala satu spesis tersenarai sebagai Terancam di
dalam Red List Mamalia Semenanjung Malaysia, sekaligus menambah nilai pemuliharaan hutan Ulu
Muda. Antara spesis yang paling kerap dikesan di kawasan sira ialah rusa, tapir dan gajah (yang
kebiasaannya melawat sira pada waktu malam); serta babi hutan, kijang, dan beruk (yand biasanya
melawat sira pada waktu siang).
Bagi melindungi sira-sira di Ulu Muda daripada ancaman-ancaman utama yang telah dikenalpasti,
WWF-Malaysia mencadangkan langkah-langkah seperti yang berikut:
Mewartakan Ulu Muda sebagai kawasan perlindungan
Mengenalpasti kesemua sira di Ulu Muda beserta dengan kawasan penampan seluas 2km daripada
setiap sira sebagai kawasan Hutan Pemuliharaan Bernilai Tinggi (HCVF), dan menguruskannya
sebagai kawasan pemuliharaan yang ketat
Mempergiatkan rondaan dan gerakan anti-pemburuan haram berhampiran sira-sira
Mengawal kemasukkan orang luar ke kawasan hutan dan sira dengan menyekat jalan-jalan balak
lama dan mewujudkan pusat pemeriksaan di pintu-pintu masuk utama seperti jeti Tasik Muda
Melibatkan penduduk tempatan dan pihak berkepentingan lain sebagai pemberi maklumat dalam
melaporkan aktiviti pemburuan haram
Bekerjasama dengan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia bagi memberkas penceroboh asing
Mengawal aktiviti pelancongan berhampiran sira dengan mengehadkan akses awam kepada hanya
satu sira semulajadi
Memastikan kesemua pelawat ke kawasan sira diiringi oleh pemandu pelancong yang dipercayai dan
mematuhi garis panduan yang ditetapkan
RINGKASAN EKSEKUTIF
1
The Greater Ulu Muda forest complex in Kedah (hereafter referred to as Ulu Muda) is the largest
remaining tract of contiguous rainforest in north-western Peninsular Malaysia. Covering an area of
1,638km2, Ulu Muda has long been recognised for its abundance of wildlife, especially large mammals.
Ulu Muda’s wealth of wildlife was first noted in the early 1930s by the renowned conservationist,
Theodore R. Hubback, in his report entitled “The Wildlife Commission of Malaya” (Hubback, 1932).
Subsequent surveys by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) and Universiti Putra
Malaysia (UPM) in the 1980s and 1990s reaffirmed Hubback’s observations, and reported an abundance
of large mammals such as the gaur/seladang (Bos gaurus), Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), Malayan
tiger (Panthera tigris), Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), barking deer
(Muntiacus muntjak) and wild boar (Sus scrofa), amongst others (Elagupillay, 1987; WWF-Malaysia,
2002). Especially noteworthy were reports of the now globally endangered banteng (Bos javanicus) and
the critically endangered Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) in Ulu Muda (DWNP, 1989).
Unfortunately, the banteng has since become extinct in Peninsular Malaysia (DWNP, 2010), while the
Sumatran rhinoceros is likely to have suffered the same fate (Clements et al., 2010).
1. Introduction
Figure 1: The Greater Ulu Muda forest complex
2
To date, at least 112 mammalian species (Appendix 1) have been recorded in Ulu Muda, representing
approximately 50% of mammal species found in Peninsular Malaysia (DWNP, 1993; WWF-Malaysia,
2002; Mariana et al., 2005; Sharma et al., 2005; Shukor et al., 2005; DWNP, 2010). Ulu Muda has also
been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) (Birdlife International, 2014) and is home to over 300
species of birds, including large flocks of the globally threatened plain-pouched hornbill (Aceros
subruficollis). It is one of only two sites in the country where all 10 species of Malaysia’s hornbills have
been recorded. Following the discovery of Ulu Muda’s exceptional faunal diversity, several proposals were
made for the area’s protection beginning with a letter from Theodore R. Hubback to the then Raja Muda
of Kedah, emphasizing the importance of protecting Ulu Muda (Elagupillay, 1987). Over the following
decades, the forest was also proposed as a Wildlife Reserve (Stevens, 1968), a National Park (DWNP,
1989) and a State Park (MOCAT, 1996). In 2009, the Kedah State Government finally announced plans to
gazette approximately 272km2 of Ulu Muda as state park (Bernama, 2009), although the official
gazettement has yet to ensue.
Apart from its faunal diversity, another feature that has added to the conservation value of the Ulu Muda
forest is its abundance of natural saltlicks (Stevens, 1968). According to the Wildlife Conservation Act
2010, saltlicks are defined as mineral springs or ground containing salt or other minerals, the
consumption of which is conducive to the health or wellbeing of wildlife. In tropical rainforests,
where plants are generally deficient of sodium (Vitousek and Sanford, 1986), saltlicks serve as natural
mineral supplements for wildlife, particularly for herbivorous mammals and birds (Matsubayashi et al.,
2007). Saltlicks are thus an important feature of Ulu Muda’s forest landscape which presumably
contribute to the wellbeing of its wildlife populations.
While the importance of saltlicks is generally recognised, relatively little is known about how these
resources are being utilized by wildlife in Ulu Muda. The objective of this study was hence to establish
baseline information on the species of wildlife that commonly visited saltlicks in the Ulu Muda forest, as
well as the frequency and timing of these visits. It is hoped that a better understanding of saltlick
utilization trends by wildlife will allow for the formulation of effective management recommendations to
improve the preservation of these important resources.
Sira Air Hangat, which combines the properties of a natural saltlick
and hot spring, is one of the more well-known saltlicks in Ulu Muda
© WWF-Malaysia/Zalina Bashir Ali
3
Ulu Muda (1,638km2) consists of seven permanent reserved forests (PRF); namely the Bukit Keramat
Forest Reserve (FR), Padang Terap FR, Pedu FR, Chebar Besar FR, Chebar Kecil FR, Bukit Saiong FR and
Ulu Muda FR (Figure 2). The current study was conducted in the Ulu Muda FR (UMFR), along the lower
section of Sungai Muda.
Sungai Muda originates from the convergence of Sungai Bahoi and Sungai Lasor in the UMFR and drains
into Muda Lake. Muda Lake is one of three large man-made lakes found in Ulu Muda, the other two being
the Pedu and Ahning lakes, which supply water for irrigation, industrial and domestic usages to the states
of Kedah, Penang and Perlis. While a certain portion of the UMFR has been proposed for gazettement as
Kedah’s very first state park, a large part of the PRF is classified as production forest reserve and is
currently undergoing selective logging in certain areas.
Unlike in many other large forested areas in Malaysia, there are no indigenous people or local
communities living in Ulu Muda. Several Malay and Thai villages which used to be situated in the forest
were relocated during the communist insurgency. Today the closest settlements are located on the fringes
of the Ulu Muda forest. The communities residing in these villages are engaged, amongst others, in
agricultural activities such as rubber tapping and tending to fruit orchards, and in fishery activities at
Muda Lake. Some of the fishermen also double as boatmen for visitors going into Ulu Muda. While
tourism is presently low in Ulu Muda, a consistent small number of tourists visit a local nature lodge in
the UMFR which offers activities such as visits to saltlicks, caving and birding.
2. Study location
The Ulu Muda forest along the lower section of Sungai Muda
© WWF-Malaysia/Zalina Bashir Ali
4
Figure 2: Study location within the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve
5
WWF-Malaysia staff inspecting a
camera-trap during a routine
photo retrieval and battery change
A camera-trap facing one of the saltlicks in the study area
3.1 Camera-trapping
The non-invasive method of camera-trapping was used to record wildlife near four natural saltlicks in the
UMFR. Infra-red Reconyx HyperFire HC500 camera-traps were used in this study, which were triggered
by heat-emitting objects such as wildlife, humans and vehicles which passed in front of their sensors. A
total of five camera-traps were set up within the vicinity of the saltlicks, with a single camera-trap
deployed at each location. Out of the five camera-traps, two were facing saltlicks directly while the
remaining three were set up along forest trails leading up to a saltlick. Each camera was mounted on a
tree at a height of approximately 50-70cm off the ground, depending on the distance from the saltlick or
trail. All camera-trap locations were within 3km from each other and were located in lowland dipterocarp
forest, over elevations of 110-150 m a.s.l. (above sea level).
Camera-traps were deployed over a 20-month period, from November 2011 – June 2013. Each camera
was checked on average once every six weeks to retrieve digital photographs, replace batteries, check for
damage/functionality, and remove any vegetation which may have obstructed the camera’s view. All
camera-traps were operational for 24 hours a day during the monitoring period, with the exception of
events of camera-trap malfunction or loss.
3. Study methods
© WWF-Malaysia/Siti Zuraidah Abidin
© WWF-Malaysia/Zalina Bashir Ali
6
Sunrise over the Ulu Muda forest on a misty morning
3.2 Data analysis
All photographs obtained during the monitoring period were entered into a camera-trap database
developed by WWF-Malaysia for further data management and analysis. Each photograph was labelled
with the date and time of capture and the species detected. Photographs in which animals could not be
identified to genus or species level, including those that were too dark or unclear due to the camera-trap
having been obstructed by vegetation, were omitted from the analysis. All analysis was conducted using
independent detections, defined as a photograph (either a wildlife species or human/s) being taken at
least 30 minutes apart at the same camera trap location (O’Brien et al., 2003).
Records of wildlife which was detected at the two locations where camera-traps were directly facing a
saltlick (hereafter referred to as “saltlick locations”) were analysed further to establish information on the
frequency and timing of saltlick visitation by wildlife. Encounter rates (also referred to as relative
abundance) were established for all species that were detected at saltlick locations to provide a relative
measure of how frequently a given species visited saltlicks in relation to other species. The encounter rate
was calculated by dividing the total number of independent detections of the species over the total
sampling effort, which was the number of days that camera-traps were functional at saltlick locations
(a.k.a. trap-nights). In this study, encounter rates were given as the number of times a species was
detected at the saltlicks over 100 trap-nights (O’Brien et al., 2003; Kawanishi and Sunquist, 2004). Based
on the encounter rates of wildlife detected at saltlicks, species that were inferred to be common saltlick
users were identified. The timing of saltlick visits by these species was then examined by plotting the
number of detections of each species at different hours of the day.
Records of human detections across all camera-trap locations were analysed in a similar manner, in order
to establish the frequency and timing of human presence near saltlicks in the UMFR.
© WWF-Malaysia/Zalina Bashir Ali
7
4.1 Wildlife diversity near saltlicks
A total of 3,393 records of wildlife which could be positively identified to at least genus or species level
were obtained from a sampling effort of 3,260 trap nights during the study. Overall, 31 species of wildlife
were identified, consisting of 25 species of non-volant mammals, five species of birds and one species of
reptile (Table 1). Of these, a total of 15 species were observed to visit saltlicks (i.e. recorded at saltlick
locations). The most frequently recorded mammals were the sambar deer, wild boar, Malayan tapir,
Asian elephant, pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) and barking deer, which collectively made up
90% of wildlife detections across all camera-trap locations. The most commonly detected birds were the
great argus pheasant (Argusianus argus), crested fireback pheasant (Lophura ignita) and red jungle fowl
(Gallus gallus).
A list of recorded species, classified by order and accompanied by their status in the International Union
for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, is presented in Table 1. Wildlife
which could not be positively identified, including several birds, bats, treeshrews and squirrels, were
excluded from this list. Of the recorded species, three were classified as Endangered in the IUCN Red
List, namely the Malayan tapir, Asian elephant and the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica); while a fourth
species, the crab-eating mongoose (Herpestes urva), was classified as Endangered in the Red List of
Mammals for Peninsular Malaysia (DWNP, 2010). All four species are listed as Totally Protected under
the Malaysian Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, which prohibits their hunting and trade. Amongst the less
frequently recorded species, which were classified as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List, were the Malayan
sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), marbled cat (Pardofelis
marmorata), binturong (Arctictis binturong), banded civet (Hemigalus derbyanus) and smooth otter
(Lutrogale perspicillata).
Our photographs of a crab-eating mongoose are the first records of the species in Ulu Muda. Despite
being classified as endangered by the DWNP (2010), recent studies suggest that the species may not be as
rare as previously reported (Rayan and Shariff, 2008; Hedges et al., 2013).
4. Findings
This camera-trap photograph of a crab-
eating mongoose provides the first record of
the species in Ulu Muda
© WWF-Malaysia
8
Table 1: Wildlife species photographed by camera-traps near saltlicks in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve
Order / Scientific name
Common name
Detections
Saltlick
IUCN
status*
MAMMALS
Artiodactyla
Muntiacus muntjak
Barking deer
123
√
LC
Tragulus sp.
Mousedeer
35
√
LC
Rusa unicolor
Sambar deer
803
√
VU
Sus scrofa
Wild boar
755
√
LC
Perrisodactyla
Tapirus indicus
Malayan tapir
715
√
EN
Proboscidea
Elephas maximus
Asian elephant
499
√
EN
Carnivora
Hemigalus derbyanus
Banded civet
16
VU
Prionodon linsang
Banded linsang
5
LC
Paradoxurus hermaphroditus
Common palm civet
36
√
LC
Paguma larvata
Masked palm civet
2
LC
Arctictis binturong
Binturong
3
VU
Herpestes urva
Crab-eating mongoose
3
√
LC
Martes flavigula
Yellow-throated marten
6
LC
Helarctos malayanus
Malayan sun bear
3
VU
Neofelis nebulosa
Clouded leopard
5
√
VU
Pardofelis temminckii
Golden cat
7
NT
Prionailurus bengalensis
Leopard cat
1
LC
Pardofelis marmorata
Marbled cat
1
VU
Lutrogale perspicillata
Smooth otter
1
VU
Primates
Macaca fascicularis
Long-tailed macaque
13
√
LC
Macaca nemestrina
Pig-tailed macaque
175
√
VU
Trachypithecus obscurus
Dusky langur
3
√
NT
Rodentia
Leopoldamys sabanus
Long-tailed giant rat
9
LC
Hystrix brachyura
Malayan porcupine
58
LC
Pholidota
Manis javanica
Sunda pangolin
7
EN
BIRDS
Galliformes
Lophura ignita
Crested fireback pheasant
36
NT
Argusianus argus
Great argus pheasant
43
√
NT
Gallus gallus
Red jungle fowl
24
√
LC
Columbiformes
Chalcophaps indica
Green-winged pigeon
3
LC
Passeriformes
Copsychus malabaricus
White-rumped shama
1
LC
REPTILES
Squamata
Varanus nebulosus
Clouded monitor lizard
1
√
LC
© WWF-Malaysia
*IUCN Red List status: EN – Endangered; VU – Vulnerable; NT – Near Threatened; LC – Least Concern
9
Our results indicate that Ulu Muda’s saltlicks and their immediate surroundings host a diverse array of
mammalian fauna. The 25 species of mammals recorded during the study represented approximately
40% of the total number of non-volant mammal species (i.e. excluding bats) known to occur in Ulu Muda
(DWNP, 1993; WWF-Malaysia, 2002; Sharma et al., 2005; Shukor et al., 2005). These included seven
out of the 11 species of large mammals that are thought to be present in the area, which made up the vast
majority of wildlife detections during the study. Elephant herds were also regularly observed to contain
young calves, signifying the UMFR’s importance as a breeding and rearing ground for these gentle giants.
One large mammal which was recorded during previous wildlife surveys in the UMFR, but not during the
current study, was the gaur (DWNP, 1993; WWF-Malaysia, 2002). Since an animal’s utilization of
saltlicks is affected both by its ranging behaviour as well as the distance it needs to travel to the saltlick
(Tobler et al., 2009), it is possible that the gaur may not have visited the saltlicks within the study area
due to its spatial distribution in the UMFR. Being a known saltlick user (Conry, 1989), the species would
have been expected to be detected during the current study had it occurred in the study area. While the
gaur’s absence from our records suggests that it may not currently inhabit the study area, the species may
nevertheless continue to occur in other parts of Ulu Muda.
Apart from the gaur, three other large mammals which were also known to occur in Ulu Muda but were
not detected by our camera-traps were the Malayan tiger, leopard (Panthera pardus) and Southern serow
(Capricornis sumatraensis) (DWNP, 1993; WWF-Malaysia, 2002; Sharma et al., 2005). This was not
surprising however, as carnivores do not commonly utilize saltlicks (Matsubayashi, 2007) while the
serow is usually associated with steep terrain (Francis, 2008), instead of the relatively flat lowland forests
that made up our study area. Moreover, the small size of the study area and low camera trapping efforts
were also likely to have attributed to the absence of these species from our records. Nevertheless, serows
are believed to be present near the Gua Labu limestone caves in the UMFR, where locals occasionally
discovered their droppings during the study period (pers. comm.). Local villagers also reported
encountering tiger pugmarks in the UMFR in 2013 (pers. comm.), however these claims could not be
verified, leading to the belief that the iconic species might still exist in this area at low numbers.
The Asian elephant, Malayan tapir and Sunda pangolin are classified as Endangered in the IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species. The presence of these species in the UMFR adds to the conservation value of
Ulu Muda.
© WWF-Malaysia
10
Table 2: Number of detections and encounter rates for medium and large-
sized wildlife species detected at saltlicks in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve
4.2 Frequency of wildlife visits
In tropical rainforests such as Ulu Muda, soils are often depleted of major cations (Jordan, 1985)
resulting in plants in these areas having low foliar concentrations of minerals (Vitousek and Sanford,
1986). Herbivorous animals may subsequently suffer a lack of essential minerals, particularly sodium
(Matsubayashi, 2007). The consumption of soil or water at saltlicks, primarily by herbivorous and
frugivorous mammals and birds, is thus believed to address this deficiency; as saltlicks are often rich in
minerals such as sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium (Jones, 1970; Klaus et al., 1998;
Matsubayashi, 2007). In 2005, Chong et al. demonstrated that Sira Air Hangat in the UMFR contained
relatively high concentrations of calcium, magnesium and sulphur. Apart from mineral supplementation,
the consumption of soil or water at saltlicks has also been suggested to aid wildlife in the detoxification of
plant secondary compounds (Klaus et al., 1998) and the alleviation of digestive disorders (Davies and
Baillie, 1988).
During our study, saltlicks were visited by a total of 15 species of animals. Large (>20 kg, Morrison et al.,
2007) and medium sized (5-20 kg; Bourliere, 1975, Morrison et al., 2007) mammals made up 99% of all
wildlife detections at saltlicks (Table 2). Encounter rates were calculated to compare the frequency at
which different species visited saltlicks over a 100-day period. While encounter rates provided a relatively
reliable representation of saltlick visitation rates by large and medium sized mammals, it should be noted
that the measure may be unreliable for smaller animals as well as for arboreal animals. This is because
the height and placement of camera traps in this study was unsuitable for the detection of small sized and
arboreal animals, thus their probability of being detected and captured by a camera-trap was low (Tobler
et al., 2008). As a result, the number of times these species were photographed may not have been
representative of their relative abundance in the study area.
Species
Detections
Encounter rate
Sambar deer
766
76.12
Malayan tapir
454
44.62
Wild boar
271
26.57
Asian elephant
208
20.75
Barking deer
69
6.72
Pig-tailed macaque
55
5.49
Common palm civet
5
0.50
Red jungle fowl
4
0.39
Great argus pheasant
3
0.29
Long-tailed macaque
3
0.30
Mousedeer
2
0.20
Clouded leopard
1
0.10
Crab-eating mongoose
1
0.10
Dusky langur
1
0.10
Monitor lizard
1
0.10
11
Encounter rates
(detections per 100 trap-nights)
Sambar deer, tapirs, wild boars and elephants visited saltlicks an average of 20 – 76 times over the course
of 100 trap-nights, distinctly more frequently than any other species. These four species visited saltlicks
between 3 to 11 times more often than the fifth most abundant species, the barking deer. We concluded
that the sambar deer, tapir, wild boar and elephant were amongst the most active saltlick users in the
UMFR, but that the intensity of saltlick utilization varied between the species (Figure 3). Barking deer
and pig-tailed macaques were also found to regularly utilize saltlicks, although to a lesser extent.
Each of the aforementioned six species has been reported to visit saltlicks in previous studies (Abdul
Kadir, 1992; Chong et al., 2005; Matsubayashi, 2007; Hon and Shibata, 2013; WWF-Malaysia,
unpublished data). In the current study, all except for the pig-tailed macaque were observed to drink
water or engage in what was assumed to be geophagy, reinforcing our assumption that these animals
visited the saltlicks for mineral supplementation. Geophagy has however also been reported in pig-tailed
macaques (Krishnamani and Mahaney, 1999). It is possible that some of the species which visited
saltlicks less frequently may not have been active saltlick users. Carnivores for instance (e.g. clouded
leopard) may have potentially visited the saltlick to hunt for prey (Matsubayashi, 2007; Blake et al., 2011)
or were simply passing by, as they do not have a particular requirement for sodium supplementation.
It was interesting to note that sambar deer visited saltlicks substantially more often than barking deer,
given that both ungulates are herbivorous and therefore assumedly in similar need of mineral
supplementation. Moreover, barking deers are generally thought to be the more common species
amongst the two in Peninsular Malaysia (Kawanishi et al., 2012; Rayan et al., 2013). Two previous
studies on saltlicks, in the Royal Belum State Park (WWF-Malaysia, unpublished data) and the
Deramakot Forest Reserve (Matsubayashi, 2007), have rendered opposing results. While the former
reported higher visitation rates by barking deer as compared to sambar deer, the latter reported a high
visitation rate by sambar deer and no visits by barking deer – although this was arguably due to barking
deer occurring at generally low abundances in the study area. Moreover, both species were detected at
similar frequencies at non-saltlick locations during the current study, while a rapid camera-trap
Figure 3: Encounter rates for six common saltlick visitors
in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve
Tapirs drinking at a saltlick
© WWF-Malaysia
12
assessment along Sungai Lasor in the UMFR rendered approximately twice as many photographs of
barking deer as compared to sambar deer (Sharma et al., 2005). It is thus possible that the high visitation
rate by sambar deer during our study may have been attributed to intensive saltlick utilization by a small
number of individuals, potentially due to a strong demand for sodium by the species (Matsubayashi,
2007).
The intensive utilization of saltlicks by certain species, specifically ungulates and elephants, suggests that
saltlicks are important resources for wildlife in the UMFR. It also indicates that minerals obtained from
saltlicks may potentially be an important part of the diet of these species. Since several studies have
demonstrated that sources of minerals, such as saltlicks, may influence the spatial distribution of
mammals in their habitat (Weir, 1972; Tankersley and Gasaway, 1983; McNaughton, 1988), it is possible
that species which commonly utilize saltlicks in the UMFR may be distributed more densely around these
than elsewhere in the forest. This would make the preservation of saltlick areas particularly important for
the conservation of wildlife. Hence, while further studies are required to substantiate this hypothesis,
measures should nevertheless be taken to ensure that any form of disturbance to saltlicks and their
surrounding areas in the UMFR is minimized.
13
Figure 4: Saltlick visitation (i.e. percentage of detections at
different times of day) by six common saltlick users
4.3 Timing of wildlife visits
The timing of saltlick visits was established for the six most common saltlick users – the sambar deer,
tapir, wild boar, elephant, barking deer and pig-tailed macaque (Figure 4). Since nocturnal species (i.e.
active at night) visited the saltlicks more frequently than diurnal species (i.e. active during the day),
overall saltlick utilization was higher during the night and in the early morning as compared to during the
daytime. Saltlick visitation peaked between 0500 – 0600 hours and decreased rapidly towards dawn. It
then remained relatively low during the daytime and gradually increased again after dusk.
Sambar deer, tapirs and elephants predominantly visited saltlicks at night, with 91% of visits being
recorded between 2000 – 0800 hours (Figure 5). Activity for all three species peaked in the early
morning with the highest numbers of saltlick visits recorded between 0300 – 0400 hours for the tapir,
0400 – 0500 hours for the elephant and 0500 – 0600 hours for the sambar deer. In general, saltlick
visitation by the three species became very low after dawn, however, Asian elephants continued to visit
the saltlicks sporadically during the daytime.
The wild boar, barking deer and pig-tailed macaque visited saltlicks primarily during the day. However,
wild boars were occasionally recorded in the early hours of the morning before 0700 hours. Wild boar
activity at saltlicks remained relatively constant throughout the daytime, with a slight fall around midday.
Barking deer on the other hand visited saltlicks noticeably more frequently in the morning and less in the
afternoon, while visitation by pig-tailed macaques peaked both in the early morning and again in the late
afternoon. The pig-tailed macaque was the only species that was strictly diurnal, and was never detected
at saltlicks during the night.
Percentage (%)
Percentage (%)
Time of day (hours)
14
Time of day (hours)
© WWF-Malaysia
Percentage (%)
Figure 5: Timing of saltlick visitation (right) by six common saltlick users (left)
15
Charok Nyih is a popular spot for sighting large flocks of the globally threatened plain-pouched hornbill
4.4 Human presence near saltlicks
The frequency of human detections near saltlicks in the study area was relatively low and spread evenly
between the four saltlicks. During the study, 143 independent detections of humans were recorded, with
roughly 3-6 instances of human presence being detected at each saltlick per 100 trap-nights. Overall, the
vast majority of human detections near saltlicks were recorded during the daytime between 0700 and
1900 hours (Figure 6).
Most human detections were recorded during guided visits by tourists of a nearby nature lodge and
during camera-trap inspections. The nature lodge, which is located at Kuala Labua along Sungai Muda, is
currently the only permanent tourism operator in the UMFR. Suspected encroachers, local villagers, the
local DWNP patrolling unit and other unidentified individuals made up the remaining small portion of
human detections near saltlicks, and also accounted for two detections which were recorded at night.
Time of day (hours)
Percentage (%)
Figure 6: Human activity across all study sites
Time of day (hours)
© WWF-Malaysia/Zalina Bashir Ali
16
Suspected poacher captured on camera-trap
Hunting platform discovered at saltlick
Suspected foreign agarwood
collectors
5.1 Poaching and encroachment
Since saltlicks are frequently visited by wildlife, they are unfortunately also often targeted by poachers.
Several signs of suspected poaching activity, including the discovery of a hunting platform (commonly
referred to as a “hide”) and three detections of individuals carrying firearms by our camera-traps, suggest
that illegal hunting is indeed taking place near some of the saltlicks in the UMFR. This raises a red flag
for wildlife conservation since hunting activities at saltlicks can badly impact wildlife populations, as
saltlicks are often visited by a large number of individuals from a given animal population (Tobler et al.,
2009).
While there is some form of protection for saltlicks under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Box 1), the
sheer size of the UMFR and large number of saltlicks within it creates a challenge for authorities in terms
of monitoring and enforcement. Moreover, there are no dedicated rangers to control entry into the UMFR
at its main entrance points such as the Muda Lake jetty. Hence, while permission from the KSFD is
required to enter the UMFR, poachers may still enter the forest reserve illegally via boat from Muda Lake
jetty or other access points such as old logging roads. Furthermore, a number of saltlicks in the UMFR
occur near river banks making them particularly easy to be accessed by boat. Although periodic patrols
are being carried out by the DWNP, man-power seems to be limited in comparison to the size of the
monitored area.
We also detected several groups of individuals suspected of illegally extracting agarwood (gaharu) and
discovered vehicle track marks, suspected to belong to off-road motorbikes, at Sira Air Hangat. Off-road
activities do not only cause disturbance to wildlife but can also be potentially damaging to saltlicks,
rendering them unattractive or unsuitable for wildlife.
5. Threats to saltlicks
© WWF-Malaysia
© WWF-Malaysia/Carmen Chin
© WWF-Malaysia
17
Off-road vehicle tracks at Sira Air Hangat
A suspected poacher recorded near Sira Air Hangat
Under Section 81, any person, whether he is a licensed hunter, a holder of a special permit or
otherwise, who —
(a) hunts any wildlife within four hundred meters of a salt lick;
(b) is in possession of any arms, bow and arrow, blowpipe, spear, catapult or any other article, which
is capable of being used in hunting any wildlife within four hundred meters of a salt lick; or
(c) waits in any place, builds any platform or shelter or sets or places any trap, poison, poisoned bait,
birdlime or net for the purpose of hunting any wildlife within four hundred meters of a salt lick or
within any access road to a salt lick,
commits an offense and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both.
Under Section 85, any person who disturbs —
(a) any salt lick; or
(b) the land in the immediate vicinity of any salt lick, which land if disturbed would render the salt
lick unattractive or unsafe to any wildlife,
commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both.
For the purposes of this section, “disturb” includes to remove or agitate any soil, mineral, water, tree,
shrubs, undergrowth or other vegetation in or on the salt lick or in or on the land in the immediate
vicinity of the salt lick.
This section shall not apply to —
(a) the Federal Government; or
(b) any State Government,
acting, as the case may require, in pursuance of any rural development scheme, urban development
scheme, forestry management scheme or industrial undertaking.
Box 1: Provisions for the protection of saltlicks under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010
© WWF-Malaysia
© WWF-Malaysia/Zalina Bashir Ali
18
5.2 Unsustainable land-use
Even though the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 provides provisions for the protection of saltlicks, it does
not apply to parties authorized by the Federal or State governments to carry out development or forestry
management projects (see Box 1 under Section 85). In the UMFR, which is predominantly classified as
production forest reserve, logging activities could potentially degrade or even destroy saltlicks (Chong et
al., 2005), rendering them unsuitable for wildlife. Disturbances caused by logging may also deter wildlife
from approaching saltlicks, while unsustainable logging practices may create a less suitable habitat for
species of wildlife which prefer high vegetation densities (Rayan et al., 2013). Furthermore, the
construction of extensive logging road networks and logging camps in the forest may promote poaching
activities by easing access into the forest and to saltlicks, thereby increasing the likelihood of poaching
both by outsiders as well as by workers of logging concessionaires.
The Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme – MC&I (Natural Forest) (MTCC, 2012) in line with Criterion
6.2 of Principle 6, does in fact dictate forest managers to implement measures to safeguard features of
special biological interest, including saltlicks, in order to maintain the forest’s ecological functions. For
this purpose, the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) proposes the establishment of
conservation zones and protection areas which reflect the uniqueness of the resource being affected by
logging operations, as well as the scale and intensity of the operations. While the criterion is good in
principle, it remains to be seen whether sufficient measures are in fact being taken by forest managers to
determine the presence of saltlicks in a given area prior to making management decisions for the area.
Likewise, if saltlicks were in fact identified, the lack of a guideline on how to adequately protect the
saltlick would still make it difficult for forest managers to fulfil the criteria.
5.3 Unsustainable tourism
Saltlicks are frequently perceived as valuable points of interest for nature tourism activities. While it is
important to minimize all forms of disturbances near saltlicks, low-impact nature tourism could arguably
provide overarching benefits for wildlife conservation by promoting the protection of forested areas
which would otherwise be at risk of exploitation for natural resources. Nature tourism which is based on
the exploration of forested areas and allows for economic gains to be made, while retaining the forest in a
relatively undisturbed state, is therefore increasingly perceived as a viable compromise to other,
potentially more damaging, economic activities such as timber extraction (Chong et al., 2005).
While current nature tourism activities in the UMFR are of relatively low-impact, unsustainable future
developments could have profound negative impacts on Ulu Muda’s saltlicks and wildlife. Sira Air
Hangat, which combines the properties of a natural saltlick and hot spring, is amongst the most popular
saltlicks for tourism in the UMFR, but unfortunately also one that is at a higher risk of development. Like
many other hot springs in Malaysia that have been converted into recreational areas and bathing pools,
which allow visitors to benefit from the widely-believed curative properties of the hot spring (Chong et
al., 2005), Sira Air Hangat too has been proposed for similar development in the past (The Star, 2014).
19
Such development would not only cause major disturbances to the area but would render the saltlick
inaccessible to wildlife. While it could be argued that wildlife could compensate their mineral
requirements by visiting other saltlicks, too little is known about the mineral content of Ulu Muda’s
saltlicks to come to such conclusions. This is because saltlicks, including Sira Air Hangat, may be unique
in terms of mineral composition, potentially making each one an irreplaceable resource for wildlife. All
saltlicks should thus be retained in their original state, and any tourism activities which are to take place
in their vicinity should be carefully monitored and controlled as to minimize their impact on wildlife.
The floodplains of Sungai Teliang, one of the two major tributatires of Muda Lake
© WWF-Malaysia/Surin Suksuwan
20
In the interest of conserving saltlicks as one of the important resources for wildlife, the following
management recommendations have been formulated to address some of the most pertinent threats
which are currently faced by saltlicks in the UMFR and likely also elsewhere in Ulu Muda.
6.1 Strengthen anti-poaching measures
6.1.1 Intensify patrolling around saltlicks
Considering that saltlicks are often targeted for hunting activities (Tobler et al., 2009) and at least
one hide suspected of being used for poaching was discovered near a saltlick during our study,
patrolling should be intensified near saltlick areas by the KSFD or the Department of Wildlife and
National Parks (DWNP). To allow for the development of an effective patrolling plan which
includes and accentuates saltlicks, all saltlicks in Ulu Muda should be identified and mapped.
6.1.2 Seal off unused logging roads
Old logging roads which are no longer in use, especially those which extend far into the forest
reserve, should be sealed off by constructing barriers or ditches (Linkie et al., 2008). This is to
prevent unauthorized vehicular access to saltlicks, specifically by poachers and off-road
enthusiasts. The move may also deter any encroachers, local or foreign, from entering the forest for
possible illegal activities.
6.1.3 Prohibit off-roading activities
Since movements of off-road enthusiasts cannot be monitored in the forest, it is in the KSFD’s best
interest to completely prohibit access into Ulu Muda for recreational off-roading activities,
including for four-wheel drives and off-road motorbikes. This is hoped to prevent vehicular access
to saltlicks, which could degrade or damage natural saltlicks and render them unsuitable for use by
wildlife.
6.1.4 Establish check-points at Muda Lake jetty and other major access points
A check-point should be established at Muda Lake jetty (main access point) as well as at other
major access points into Ulu Muda. The check-points should be manned 24-hours a day,
potentially by the KSFD or DWNP. Details of all boats and people entering and exiting Ulu Muda
via these access points should be recorded, and only those with approved permits should be
allowed entry (with the exception of local fishermen holding a valid license from the Department of
Fisheries). All boats should be searched upon entry and exit for illegal items such as firearms,
wildlife parts, etc. The relevant authorities could also train and encourage local fishermen, boat
owners and tour operators, to be vigilant in renting out their boats or providing their services to
individuals suspected of illegal activities, for instance those carrying illegal items such as firearms
into the forest.
6. Management Recommendations
21
6.1.5 Engage local stakeholders as informants
The KSFD and DWNP should engage local villagers and other local stakeholders, such as tour
operators and fishermen’s associations, as informants to report poaching activities. To encourage
collaboration, incentives should be duly given to any party which provides such information.
6.1.6 Collaborate with the Malaysian Army
The KSFD and DWNP should establish collaboration with the Malaysian Army to work together to
apprehend foreign encroachers entering the Ulu Muda through the Thai-Malaysian border. Such
collaborations between enforcement agencies have been established in other forest landscapes to
address the issue of resource limitations, especially for the patrolling of an area. Examples include
the collaboration between the DWNP and Malaysian Army in Taman Negara Pahang and the
formation of the Belum-Temengor Joint Enforcement Task Force involving a total of ten agencies.
6.2 Control land-use activities near saltlicks
6.2.1 Identify saltlicks as HCVF areas
Our study demonstrated that saltlicks in the UMFR are focal points for wildlife including for
endangered and threatened species of mammals. As such, any form of disturbance which could
potentially degrade saltlicks or discourage wildlife from approaching them, should be minimized.
We recommend that all saltlicks in Ulu Muda (inclusive of a 2km buffer zone, see Section 6.2.2) be
protected by identifying them as High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) areas in line with
Principle 9 of the MC&I (Natural Forest) (MTCC, 2012), within the Malaysian Timber Certification
Scheme applicable to the Kedah Forest Management Unit (FMU). To date, none of the saltlicks in
Ulu Muda have been identified as HCVF by the Kedah State Forestry Department (KSFD, 2013).
6.2.2 Establish 2km buffer zones around saltlicks
The demarcation of HCVF areas should not be limited only to saltlicks, but encompass a buffer
zone of surrounding forested area in which any type of disturbance is minimized. A buffer size of
2km is suggested based on a sambar deer occupancy model from a study in Temengor Forest
Reserve, Gerik, Perak, which predicts that a 2km minimum distance from human disturbance is
required to ensure a 60 – 80% likelihood of sambar deer occupying an area within the vicinity of a
saltlick (between an elevation zone of 300-500m a.s.l.) (Rayan et al., 2013). The buffer area will
represent the outer boundary of the HCVF.
6.2.3 Manage HCVFs as strict conservation areas
Identified HCVFs (i.e. all saltlicks and their 2 km buffer zones) should be maintained as strict
conservation areas in order to safeguard their function for wildlife, as required under Criterion 9.3
and Criterion 6.2 of the MC&I (Natural Forest) (MTCC, 2012). No land-use change or
infrastructure development should be allowed within the HCVF, with the exception of existing
infrastructures, namely a nature lodge near Kuala Labua and a wildlife hide at Sira Air Hangat.
22
Identified HCVF areas should also be off-limits to visitors, except to researchers and scientists
whose activities shall be strictly monitored by the KSFD. In the interest of tourism and
environmental awareness, public access may be granted to a limited number of visitors and under
strict guidelines, to a particular saltlick which has been selected for this purpose, as detailed in
Section 6.3.
6.2.4 Gazettement of Ulu Muda as a protected area
Given the large number of natural saltlicks found in Ulu Muda and the area’s abundant and diverse
fauna, we recommend that all remaining forested areas within Ulu Muda should be retained as
natural forest. Logging should also be prohibited as this poses direct and indirect threats to
wildlife. Ideally, all PFRs in the Greater Ulu Muda forest complex should be reclassified as
protection forest reserves under the National Forestry Act 1984, or other appropriate act or
enactment. The establishment of a protected area, such as a state park or a national park, would
also provide better resources to control access into the forest and for patrolling of areas at high-risk
of poaching, such as saltlicks.
In addition, the protection of the Greater Ulu Muda forest would safeguard the area’s function as
the largest water catchment in northern Peninsular Malaysia, which supplies water to the states of
Kedah, Penang and Perlis. This would ensure water security in these states for domestic
consumption as well as for industrial use and irrigation; as the Muda catchment supplies water to
the industrial areas in Bayan Lepas and Seberang Perai in Penang and the Kulim Hi-Tech Park in
Kedah, as well as the rice fields of the Muda Irrigation Scheme. The vast rice fields of Kedah and
Perlis, coined the “rice bowl of Malaysia”, which are supplied by the Muda Irrigation Scheme,
provided a staggering 50% of Malaysia’s rice supply in 2011 and are thus pivotal in ensuring the
nation’s food security (DOA, 2012).
6.3 Regulate tourism activities near saltlicks
6.3.1 Limit access to natural saltlicks
Access to natural saltlicks for the purpose of tourism should be restricted to a single saltlick,
potentially Sira Air Hangat, at which a wildlife hide currently exists and which could be utilized for
wildlife observations. The number of tourists who are allowed to visit the saltlick over a given
period of time should be controlled by the KSFD with the assistance of entrusted local guides or
tour operators, and tourists should only be allowed to visit the saltlick in their presence. In order to
determine the maximum viable number of visitors that can be allowed to visit Sira Air Hangat over
a set period while minimizing the potential effects to wildlife, an ecological carrying-capacity study
should be conducted. Since saltlicks remain an important feature for nature tourism, it is
recommended that artificial saltlicks be created for this purpose in areas that have been identified
for limited and controlled access by visitors to Ulu Muda.
© WWF-Malaysia/Surin Suksuwan
23
6.3.2 Timing of saltlick visits
Saltlick visits by tourists should be timed to minimize any disturbance to wildlife. Since most
tourist visits are conducted during the daytime, tourists should be encouraged to visit the saltlick
when visitation by diurnal wildlife such as wild boars, barking deer and pig-tailed macaques is
relatively low, i.e. from 1100 – 1300 hours. Visitors who wish to observe wildlife from the wildlife
hide at Sira Air Hangat, which may involve staying in the hide overnight, should take sufficient
measures to reduce disturbance to wildlife, especially since species such as elephants and tapirs,
which are of high conservation concern, visit saltlicks predominantly at night. Such measures
include abstaining from wearing perfume or other scented substances such as insect repellent,
smoking and making noise.
An existing wildlife hide at Sira Air Hangat that could
be used to observe animals that visit the saltlick
© WWF-Malaysia/Surin Suksuwan
24
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27
Appendix 1: Inventory of mammals recorded in Ulu Muda
Order
Family
Scientific name
Common name
Artiodactlya
Bovidae
Bos gaurus hubbacki
Gaur
Capricornis sumatraensis
Sumatran serow
Cervidae
Rusa unicolor
Sambar deer
Muntiacus muntjak
Barking deer
Suidae
Sus scrofa
Wild pig
Tapiridae
Tapirus indicus
Malayan tapir
Tragulidae
Tragulus javanicus
Lesser mousedeer
Tragulus napu
Greater mousedeer
Carnivora
Felidae
Felis temminckii
Golden cat
Neofelis nebulosa
Clouded leopard
Panthera pardus
Leopard
Panthera tigris jacksoni
Malayan tiger
Prionailurus bengalensis
Leopard cat
Herpestidae
Herpestes urva
Crab-eating mongoose
Mustelidae
Amblonyx cinereus
Asian small-clawed otter
Lutra perspicillata
Smooth otter
Martes flavigula
Yellow-throated marten
Ursidae
Helarctos malayanus
Malayan sun bear
Viverridae
Arctictis binturong
Binturong
Arctogalidia trivirgata
Small-toothed palm civet
Hemigalus derbyanus
Banded palm civet
Paguma lavarta
Masked palm civet
Paradoxurus hemophroditus
Common palm civet
Prionodon linsang
Banded linsang
Dermoptera
Cynocephalidae
Cynocephalus variegatus
Sunda flying lemur
Insectivora
Erinacidae
Echinosorex gymnurus
Moon rat
Hylomys suillus
Short-tailed gymnure
Soricidae
Crocidura monticola
Sunda shrew
Megachiroptera
Pteropodidae
Balionycteris maculata
Spotted-winged fruit bat
Chironax melanocephalus
Black-capped fruit bat
Cynopterus brachyotis
Lesser dog-faced fruit bat
Cynopterus horsfieldi
Horsfield’s fruit bat
Dyacopterus spadiceus
Dayak fruit bat
Eonycteris spelaea
Dawn bat
Macroglossus sobrinus
Hill long-tounged fruit bat
Megaerops ecaudatus
Temminck’s tailless fruit bat
Penthetor lucasi
Lucas's Short-nosed fruit bat
Microchiroptera
Emballonuridae
Emballonura monticola
Lesser sheath-tailed bat
Taphozous longimanus
Long-winged tomb bat
Taphozous melanopogon
Black-bearded tomb bat
Saccolaimus saccolaimus
Bare-rumped sheathtail bat
Hipposideridae
Coelops frithi
East Asian tailless leaf-nosed bat
Hipposideros armiger
Great Himalayan leaf-nosed bat
Hipposideros bicolor
Bicolored leaf-nosed bat
APPENDICES
28
Order
Family
Scientific name
Common name
Microchiroptera
Hipposideridae
Hipposideros cervinus
Fawn-colored leaf-nosed bat
Hipposideros cineraceus
Least leaf-nosed bat
Hipposideros diadema
Diadem leaf-nosed bat
Hipposideros galeritus
Cantor's leaf-nosed bat
Hipposideros larvatus
Horsfield's leaf-nosed bat
Microchiroptera
Hipposideridae
Hipposideros ridleyi
Ridley's leaf-nosed bat
Hipposideros sabanus
Bornean leaf-nosed bat
Megadermatidae
Megaderma spasma
Lesser false vampire
Mollosidae
Tadarida mops
Malayan free-tailed bat
Tadarida plicata
Wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bat
Microchiroptera
Nycteridae
Nycteris javanica
Javan slit-faced bat
Rhinolophidae
Rhinolophus acuminatus
Acuminate horseshoe bat
Rhinolophus affinis
Intermediate horseshoe bat
Rhinolophus lepidus
Blyth’s horseshoe bat
Rhinolophus luctus
Great woolly horseshoe bat
Rhinolophus pusillus
Least horseshoe bat
Rhinolophus sedulus
Lesser woolly horseshoe bat
Rhinolophus stheno
Lesser brown horseshoe bat
Rhinolophus trifoliatus
Trefoil horseshoe bat
Vespertilionidae
Glischropus tylopus
Common thick-thumbed bat
Kerivoula hardwickii
Hardwicke’s woolly bat
Kerivoula minuta
Least woolly bat
Kerivoula papillosa
Papillose wooly bat
Miniopterus schreibersii
Schreiber’s bent-winged bat
Murina aenea
Bronze tube-nosed bat
Murina suilla
Brown tube-nosed bat
Myotis muricola
Nepalese whiskered Myotis
Myotis ridleyi
Ridley’s Myotis
Myotis siligorensis
Himalayan whiskered Myotis
Pipistrellus imbricatus
Brown Pipistrelle
Pipistrellus javanicus
Javan Pipistrelle
Pipistrellus tenuis
Least Pipistrelle
Tylonycteris pachypus
Lesser bamboo bat
Tylonycteris robustula
Greater flat-headed bat
Phoniscus atrox
Groove-toothed trumpet-eared bat
Pholidota
Manidae
Manis javanicus
Sunda pangolin
Primates
Cercopithecidae
Macaca fascicularis
Long-tailed macaque
Macaca nemestrina
Short-tailed macaque
Presbytis melalophos
Mitred leaf monkey
Trachypithecus obscurus
Dusky leaf monkey
Hylobatidae
Hylobates agilis
Agile gibbon
Hylobates lar
White-handed gibbon
Lorisidae
Nycticebus coucang
Greater slow loris
Proboscidea
Elephantidae
Elephas maximus
Asian elephant
Rodentia
Hystericidae
Atherurus macrourus
Brush-tailed porcupine
Hystrix brachyura
Malayan porcupine
Muridae
Chiropodomys gliroides
Pencil-tailed tree mouse
Leopoldamys sabanus
Long-tailed giant rat
Maxomys rajah
Rajah Sundaic Maxomys
Maxomys surifer
Indomalayan Maxomys
29
Order
Family
Scientific name
Common name
Rodentia
Muridae
Maxomys whiteheadi
Whitehead’s Sundaic Maxomys
Niviventer cremoriventer
Sundaic Arboreal Niviventer
Rattus tiomanicus
Malaysian field rat
Sundamys muelleri
Müller’s Sundamys
Petaurista petaurista
Common giant flying squirrel
Pteromyidae
Rhizomys sumatrensis
Indomalayan bamboo rat
Rhizomyidae
Callosciurus caniceps
Grey-bellied squirrel
Sciuridae
Callosciurus nigrovittatus
Black-striped squirrel
Callosciurus notatus
Plantain squirrel
Callosciurus prevostii
Prevost's squirrel
Lariscus insignis
Three-striped ground squirrel
Sciuridae
Ratufa affinis
Pale giant squirrel
Ratufa bicolor
Black giant squirrel
Rhinosciurus laticaudatus
Shrew-faced squirrel
Sundasciurus hippurus
Horse-tailed squirrel
Sundasciurus lowii
Low’s squirrel
Sundasciurus tenuis
Slender squirrel
Scandentia
Tupaiidae
Tupaia glis
Common treeshrew
Sources: DWNP (1993); Mariana et al. (2005), Shukor et al. (2005); Sharma et al. (2005); WWF-Malaysia
(2002); current study.
30
Appendix 2: Wildlife camera-trapped near saltlicks in the UMFR
Barking deer
Muntiacus muntjak
Mousedeer
Tragulus sp.
Sambar deer
Rusa unicolor
Wild boar
Sus scrofa
Malayan tapir
Tapirus indicus
Asian elephant
Elephas maximus
Banded civet
Hemigalus derbyanus
Banded linsang
Prionodon linsang
Common palm civet
Paradoxurus hermaphroditus
Masked palm civet
Paguma larvata
Binturong
Arctictis binturong
Crab-eating mongoose
Herpestes urva
Photos on this page: © WWF-Malaysia
31
Yellow-throated marten
Martes flavigula
Malayan sun bear
Helarctos malayanus
Clouded leopard
Neofelis nebulosa
Golden cat
Pardofelis temminckii
Leopard cat
Prionailurus bengalensis
Marbled cat
Pardofelis marmorata
Smooth otter
Lutrogale perspicillata
Long-tailed giant rat
Leopoldamys sabanus
Malayan porcupine
Hystrix brachyura
Dusky langur
Trachypithecus obscurus
Long-tailed macaque
Macaca fascicularis
Pig-tailed macaque
Macaca nemestrina
Photos on this page: © WWF-Malaysia
32
Sunda pangolin
Manis javanica
Crested fireback pheasant
Lophura ignita
Great argus pheasant
Argusianus argus
Red jungle fowl
Gallus gallus
Green-winged pigeon
Chalcophaps indica
White-rumped shama
Copsychus malabaricus
Clouded monitor lizard
Varanus nebulosus
Photos on this page: © WWF-Malaysia
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