Camera Trap Survey of Wildlife in State Land Forest, Merapoh, Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract

short camera trapping survey was conducted in the State Land Forest (SLF), Merapoh, Pahang for three consecutive months (542 total trap nights) from August 2019 until October 2019 to determine the composition of wildlife inhabiting the SLF within the Merapoh Forest Complex. There were at least 25 native species of wildlife detected and identified, which includes avians and mammals. The species detected include Asiatic brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus macrourus), Asiatic golden cat (Catopuma temminckii), Banded linsang (Prionodon linsang), Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Black-capped babbler (Pellorneum nigrocapitatum), Common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), Dhole (Cuon alpinus), Grey-capped emerald dove (Chalcophaps indica), Great argus (Argusianus nargus), Large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), Long-tailed giant rat (Leopoldamys sabanus), Malay crestless fireback (Lophura erythrophtalma), Malay crested fireback (Lophura rufa), Malayan porcupine (Hystrix brachyura), Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), Mouse-deer (Tragulus spp.), Otter civet (Cynogale bennettii), Pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina), Red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), Moonrat (Echinosorex gymnura) and Wild boar (Sus scrofa). According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, within the SLF territory, there are three (3) Endangered species recorded, including the Malayan tapir, Otter civet and Dhole, five (5) Vulnerable species, including Leopard, Clouded leopard, Malay crestless fireback, Malayan sun bear, and Pig-tailed macaque, while the Asiatic golden cat, Great argus, and Malay crested fireback are listed as Nearly Threatened. This short assessment is important in highlighting the diversity of wildlife detected via camera traps in semi-disturbed areas and the role of these areas for the conservation of the species. As such, better conservation management measures can be taken to ensure their survival within this habitat.