Abstract. Kodoh J, Adros C, Shairi NA, Besar NA, Abdullah MT, Sompud J. 2024. Sunda pangolin responses to human impact in Sabah, Malaysia. Biodiversitas 25: 4233-4243. The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822), categorized as Critically Endangered, faces significant challenges due to human-driven threats, including poaching, habitat destruction, and illegal trade. The comprehensive impact of these factors remains underexplored, especially in specific locales such as the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) campus, Malaysia. This study, conducted from June to December 2023 within the Sustainable Forest Education Research Area (SFERA@UMS), evaluated the species' response to human disturbance through camera trap surveys. The investigation focused on how proximity to human settlements and noise pollution influence the distribution and behavior of M. javanica. Results from 1,647 camera-trap nights revealed that M. javanica demonstrated a preference for areas with reduced anthropogenic interference, shown by a weak yet significant positive correlation between greater distance from human settlements and pangolin presence (rs = 0.071**, p<0.001). Additionally, mean noise levels negatively impacted visitation frequency (rs = -0.075**, p<0.001), suggesting that noise pollution disrupts natural behaviors critical for survival, such as foraging. These results align with findings that wildlife, particularly species with secretive and nocturnal habits, tend to avoid regions with substantial human activity. The uneven spatial distribution of pangolins underscores the need for conservation initiatives that mitigate the adverse effects of human encroachment and noise pollution. Recommended actions include establishing buffer zones around critical habitats, enhancing public awareness, and employing technology for continuous monitoring. Integrating conservation strategies that address habitat quality, community involvement, and technological advancements is crucial for protecting M. javanica and supporting broader biodiversity efforts. These findings contribute to understanding the localized impacts of human activities on endangered species and highlight the importance of comprehensive, multi-faceted approaches for their conservation and habitat management.

This study intended to describe the physicochemical and mineralogical properties of salt licks discovered in Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve. The salt licks in this forest reported to be visited and used by wildlifes via camera trap studies. In order to understand this wildlife’s behavior, the physicochemical and mineralogical properties of the salt lick especially the salt lick soil are important to determine the cause of the wildlife visitation. Five salt licks area as well as controlled soils were selected. Water and rock samples were also collected for the comparison study. The physical characteristic of licks soil shows pH ranges from slightly acidic to alkaline, high moisture content (23.30% – 59.35%), wide range of organic matter content (0.38% – 9.65%) and electrical conductivity range between 41.82 µS/cm to 243.32 µS/cm which is higher than the controlled soils. The soil texture from the salt licks soils is mostly classified as loam. The result of chemical analysis shows that the concentration of elements is higher in the lick soil compared to the controlled soil such as Ca (1101.92 mg/kg – 11551.64 mg/kg), K (767.32 mg/kg – 2432.11 mg/kg), Na (85.83 mg/kg – 754.20 mg/kg), Mg (986.05 mg/kg – 5843.29 mg/kg) and P (47.23 mg/kg – 290.215 mg/kg). Water samples from salt licks area are rich in Ca (637.67 mg/L – 3074.25 mg/L) and Na (572.35 mg/L – 2554.63 mg/L) compared to river nearby. The mineral analysis indicated the appearance of clay such as illite, chlorite and smectite. As a conclusion, the salt lick soil’s pH varies from slightly acidic to alkaline (5.38 – 8.98) compared to controlled soils (4.54), The salt lick surface soils also show higher percentage of moisture content (69.38%) and soil electrical conductivity (78.41%) difference compared to controlled soils. Meanwhile the organic matter percentage in salt lick soils is slightly lower (48.85%) than the controlled soils (51.11%). The salt lick soils also exhibit higher elements concentration than the controlled soils such as average concentration of Ca (96.14%), K (86.09%), Na (89.51%) Mg (91.38%) and P (86.78%).

The Sunda Clouded Leopard Neofelis diardi on Borneo is threatened principally by deforestation for oil palm plantations and the indiscriminate use of illegal trapping. Sunda Clouded Leopard populations are decreasing across their range, and the species has been categorised as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Despite the persistence of threats and numerous surveys in recent years, information on its ecology is still limited. Most studies to date have relied on the use of camera traps as their primary sampling tool, as it is challenging otherwise to gather data on Sunda Clouded Leopards. This study aimed to test the feasibility of estimating the Sunda Clouded Leopard occupancy using a different approach. We conducted vehicle spotlight transect surveys in a mixed-use forest reserve and logging concession in Sabah. We drove a cumulative total of 8,433 km of transects at night and documented the occurrence of Sunda Clouded Leopards in eight out of 31 predetermined long-distance transects, yielding a relatively low naïve occupancy rate (nO = 0.26). When accounting for imperfect detection (ρ = 0.15), null occupancy of Sunda Clouded Leopards appeared much higher (ᴪ = 0.55), though our parameter estimates lacked relative precision. Despite this, our results suggest there may be potential to further refine and adapt a basic, cost-effective monitoring approach in a local mixed-use reserve with the help of concession managers and additional improvements to study design. We caution, however, that not all study sites may be suited for this type of approach and strongly advise the development of pilot studies to evaluate their overall feasibility.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species listed Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) as critically endangered and remained among the most traded mammals and other pangolin species. In Malaysia, various conservation works on this species have been conducted these past years through government and NGO works. Nevertheless, their population is still declining despite all the efforts. To date, little to nothing is known about the local perception regarding the Sunda pangolin conservation. Therefore, through the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) approach, this study evaluates Sabahan’s awareness level regarding the Sunda pangolin conservation. A total of 109 respondents were interviewed from all across Malaysia to investigate their perception of Sunda Pangolin conservation. The KAP index score shows that respondents’ attitude toward Sunda Pangolin conservation is the highest (93.34%), followed by Knowledge (81.15%) and Practice (79.63%), of which all three fall within good KAP score. They also agreed that spreading awareness and being proactive in supporting conservation work helps to prevent this species from extinction. Interestingly, the correlation analysis using Spearman rho’s coefficient shows a positive relationship between KA and education but not for Practice. Generally, Malaysians had a positive understanding of the Sunda pangolin’s current status and the legal information regarding this species. This research may help improve species conservation strategies, particularly in Sabah, Malaysia. There is an urgent need to improve the Sunda pangolin conservation program in the future. Factors that influence Practice needs to be identified and scrutinized. Public awareness is not the only factor that needs to be considered for improvement in conservation works. More importantly, the people who work in the conservation field.

The aim of this study was to identify the species offrogs that can be found at streams, ridges and disturbed habitats of Gaya Island. Field sampling was carried out for 16 nights consecutively starting from 18thJanuary until 3rd February 2013. This research was conducted using the standard method of Visual Encounter Survey. The sampling effort for this study was 53 hours. Six sites representing three different frogs’ habitats were selected, namely streams, ridges and disturbed areas. The transect line with dimensions of 10m x 100m was used for the sampling survey. The results show that there were five species of frogs from two families that were present in Gaya Island. The five species were Inger’s dwarf frog (Ingerana baluensis), Grass frog (Fejervarya limnocharis), Mangrove frog (Fejervarya cancrivora), Green paddy frog (Hylarana erythraea) and Dark-eared tree frog (Polypedates macrotis). The highest number of frogs caught was in the stream area, consisting of 69 individuals, followed by 18 individuals at the disturbed area and two individuals at the ridges. This preliminary study indicated that there was a relationship between frog species diversity with the variety of the habitat sites. These findings present a baseline data for the frog species in Gaya Island. Future studies should be encouraged in order to have an in-depth understanding of the frogs’ natural habitats in Gaya Island.

The Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi) and Indochinese Clouded Leopard (N. nebulosa) are medium-sized felids native to tropical south and southeast Asia. In 2019, we began investigating the trade in Clouded Leopards and their parts in Asia. This was partly inspired by social media posts of an apparent pet Sunda Clouded Leopard. Investigations continued with respect to how and where Clouded Leopards are sold on social media and other digital platforms. We discovered several social media posts and local language news articles, that we believe are indicative of an illegal live trade in Sunda Clouded Leopards in Indonesia. While fewer instances of trade in Indochinese Clouded Leopards have been discovered thus far, patterns of trade in other large felids and small carnivores in the region, particularly as influenced by social media, may have implications for future live trade in Indochinese Clouded Leopards and increased trade in Sunda Clouded Leopards. We recommend that additional international attention and investment of resources, including local, national, and international law enforcement activities, focus their efforts on the growing trade in Clouded Leopards.

Abstract. Enn HS, Musta B, Sarjadi MS, Maid M, Muning M, Kodoh J, Goh C, Jonalius M, Sompud J. 2022. Monitoring of the habitat usage of Tembadau (Bos javanicus lowi) around salt lick in a forest plantation of Sabah, Malaysia. Biodiversitas 23: 6062-6069. Tembadau (Bos javanicus lowi) is a wild cattle endemic to Borneo Island, especially in Sabah, Malaysia. Their population is declining due to habitat loss and illegal hunting. Previous researchers have reported that hunting pressure and forest fragmentation due to the conversion of natural forests into oil palm plantations are driving the species into the looming extinction of this species. Tembadau is well known for using the salt lick in its habitat. Salt licks are rich in minerals, or feeding sites are important as critical temporal use for wildlife, including Tembadau. The lack of data on the ecological behavior of Tembadau in salt lick areas caused difficulties in monitoring their population in the forest. It may undermine their conservation, especially in the forest plantations. The habitat usage of the Tembadau in this study was expressed in the detection rate and activity pattern. This study aimed to compare Tembadau’s detection rate at salt and non-salt lick areas in a forest plantation situated at the Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve, Sandakan, Sabah. The activity pattern of Tembadau between a salt lick and non-salt lick areas was also determined. A camera trap survey was carried out from 2 November 2019 to 6 September 2020 to collect the presence, absence and activity pattern of Tembadau. The results show that the detection rate of Tembadau was higher in salt licks, especially salt lick C59SL (n: 171, U: 3187.5, p: 0.003). Tembadau at the salt licks expressed all diurnal, nocturnal and crepuscular behavior but was primarily active at night (n: 12, 43% of nocturnal behavior). Salt licks are beneficial for wildlife to provide the essential elements of intake, health and reproductive success. These findings are helpful information for the monitoring and further conservation work for the species, especially in forest plantation areas. It also provides essential baseline data for lawmakers to make policies for the total protection of salt licks in forest plantations.

Bornean pygmy elephant ( Elephas maximus borneensis ) is crucial in the forests ecosystem as it plays a vital role as a forest engineer. As such, it is crucial to conduct more research to contribute to the conservation of this species. This study examined the pygmy elephant usage of natural salt lick in Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve (SLFR), also known as FMU19B. Salt lick is vital to maintain wildlife health. This study investigated the elephant’s visitation frequency and examined its activity pattern in the natural salt lick area. A camera trap survey was conducted from November 2019 till August 2020. Four natural salt licks (C50SL, C56SL, C59SL and C60SL), and three non-salt licks (C50NSL, C56NSL, and C59&C60NSL) was selected. The data were analysed using descriptive and statistical analysis. The results show a higher visitation frequency at the salt lick area than the non-salt lick area (p<0.01). The salt lick at C59 was the most frequently visited by the elephant. The activity pattern displayed by the Bornean pygmy elephant shows a higher degree of nocturnal activity (73.3%). This information is essential for the timber concession forest managers to design the conservation work for the species in balancing with the timber extraction activity.

Acacia species was introduced as the commercial species in Sabah for the production of pulp and paper. This species is able to naturally regenerate and spreads widely including inside the UMS campus giving its ability to survive in degraded lands. However, there is still limited study that has been done to determine whether the regenerated Acacia trees can support biodiversity using birds as bio-indicator. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the status of the birds inside the UMS campus. Two types of forests were chosen namely the Naturally Regenerated Acacia Forest (NRAF) and Forest Dominated with Indigenous Species trees (FDIST). The methods that were applied were solely mistnetting and ring banding. Data were analysed using Shannon-Wiener index, Diversity t-test as well as Mann-Whitney U test. The results show that there were no significant difference of bird diversity and abundance between both forests. The study shows that NRAF does play a role in sustaining the bird population in UMS campus and it is recommended that NRAF should be conserve for edu-tourism but also for research purposes.

Forest is one of the vital revenues in South Asia especially for developing countries. Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) was developed due to the need of improving forest management on the international fora due to the continuing deforestation. Birds are one of the important taxa of tropical ecosystems. Bird community also act as one of the agents in balancing the ecosystem by control the pest population in the forest. Timber harvest system such as RIL considered as a logging activity that can reduce negative impacts on biodiversity. Logging activities may give uncertain effect on avian community. This study investigates the species diversity during pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest period in order to study the immediate response of avian community on RIL. The study site that was selected for this research was at Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve, Sabah. Methods used for this study was adopted from past research on bird studies using line transect of which point count stations were established. The data collection during the pre-harvest was conducted from October 2017 to April 2018. The bird population diversity was analyzed using Shannon-Weiner index of diversity and Diversity test was employed test for significant differences between pre-harvest with harvest period; and between pre-harvest with post-harvest period. The Shannon-Weiner diversity index at post-harvest (H’= 0.39) was lower as compared to that at harvest (H’= 4.27) and Post -harvest (4.24). The results of the diversity t -test for birds between pre-harvest and harvest was very significantly different (t = 5.7978; df = 944.19; p = 9.1574E-09**) and between pre-harvest and post-harvest was also very significantly different (t = 5.8713; df = 951.99; p = 5.9668E-09**). The study shows the bird responded during the RIL and soon after RIL operation by the increased of their species diversity as they were flushed out from their normal territory.

Alcohol misuse compromises the quality of life of individuals, families, communities and whole societies in a variety of ways. Malaysia acknowledges the problems, implementing policies and health promotion activities in line with the World Health Organization Global Strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol by 10% between 2010 and 2025. Sabah, one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo, has more than 30 different indigenous ethnic groups. Alcohol production and consumption have traditional and unique roles in the cultural practices of many of these groups, making one common programme difficult to implement. Preliminary research suggests that alcohol is a serious problem in indigenous communities in Sabah. It also shows lack of knowledge on recommended limits for alcohol consumption and understanding of alcohol-related harm. The objective of this action-research is to produce a toolkit that will transfer knowledge and empower communities to adopt safer drinking and reduce alcohol-related harm. It must be attractive, appropriate, easily understood and be able to be tailored to suit different communities. The alcohol tool-kit was developed by a group of academicians using evidence-based information. Qualitative research methods were used to evaluate the initial alcohol tool-kit. A purposive sample of 45 village representatives was selected and divided into 5 groups for focus group discussion. Their feedback was recorded and transcribed verbatim. The alcohol tool-kit was edited accordingly. All participants agreed the alcohol tool-kit was important and can empower communities to reduce alcoholrelated harm directly improving their quality of life. The amended alcohol tool-kit will be recommended for health promotion material and evaluated from time to time.

The Sunda Pangolin Manis javanica is naturally present in Gaya Island, Sabah, but its population status is largely unknown. Results from a recent survey using camera traps indicated the presence of a few individuals, who were strictly nocturnal. There is a strong indication that the population in Gaya Island is in danger of local extinction. There is also an urgent need to conduct an in-depth study to gather scientific information for further conservation action.

The Formosan pangolin mainly inhabits the lowland forest in Taiwan. Biological information on pangolins is limited due to their solitary behavior. This study reports the first field record of the behavior development and growth pattern of a newborn male Formosan pangolin during the entire nursing period in the wild. The methods used in this study were radio-tagging and camera-trapping. Data collection for this study was conducted from November 2014 until May 2015. The nursing period was 157 days. The infant started to exit the nursing burrow alone at 11 weeks old, with significant soil scraping and licking behaviors. The duration and distance of the exploring were both extended considerably after 15 weeks old. All exploring behaviors that were recorded occurred after the mother had left the burrow. The total body length of the infant pangolin growth was at a relative constant rate of 1.2 cm/week during the nursing period, which was faster than the only record from a hand-reared individual (0.7 cm/week). This study presents a useful method to monitor the maternal behaviors and infant growth pattern for the Formosan pangolin under natural conditions.

To date, there is still scarce study that has been done looking on the impact of the anthropogenic noise in influencing the bird community in Gaya Island as it acts as an important indicator for the health of the island’s ecosystem. Hence, this preliminary study aims to determine the effect of the anthropogenic noise on the bird community in Gaya Island. The data collection was conducted for three months in three of the selected sites within the island. The methods that were being used were the point count sampling and noise mapping respectively. The anthropogenic noise level that was being measured at the selected sites ranges from 29dB to 80dB. Meanwhile, descriptive analysis, diversity indexes and correlation analysis were used to analyze the obtained data. A total of 422 individuals from 24 species and 16 families were recorded during the survey in Gaya Island. The result of the Shannon Wiener index showed that the diversity of the birds in low anthropogenic noise zone is slightly higher (H’=2.559) as compared to the bird in high anthropogenic noise zone (H’= 2.558) even though there is no significant different in terms of diversity of birds between these two zones. However, the Spearman’s correlation analysis showed a very significant and negative correlation of the anthropogenic noise with the abundance and species richness of bird (r= -0.076, p=0.000). Therefore, this study shows that the bird community is negatively affected with the increasing of anthropogenic noise in Gaya Island.

Selective logging is one of the widespread human activities in tropical forest. It is a recommended forest operation method as opposed to clear-cut logging which has lower impact on environment. Timber production forests that are managed sustainably may acts as potential refuges for avian population. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to present the avifauna community in timber production area of a production forest. The study was conducted from October to December 2017 at Segaliud-Lokan Forest Reserve (SLFR). Two types of surveys were conducted, i.e. bird survey and vegetation survey. Standard point count method was used to conduct bird survey from 0700 hours to 1130 hours. For vegetation survey, 20m x 20 m plot was established on each point count stations. The data was analyzed by descriptive analysis and statistics analysis. Fisher’s alpha diversity index was calculated for the bird species diversity. A total of 55 species with 27 families (228 individuals) were recorded. The value of Fisher’s alpha index of diversity was 23.02. The results show that the avian community in SLFR was similar as compared to other past studies that were logged 20 years ago in Malaysia.

Large areas of tropical forest worldwide have been converted rapidly into forest plantation. Plantation can play an important role in restoring productivity, ecosystem stability, and biological diversity to degraded tropical lands. However, the conversion of forest areas to plantation rapidly resulting birds to lose their natural habitat. Therefore, Acacia mangium plantations have the potential as the refuges for birds. As such, this study was conducted to investigate the bird population in 2-year Acacia mangium plantation, Sabah Forest Industries (SFI), Sabah to determine the bird population density and diversity of 2 year mangium plantation in SFI. There is no published information of the detailed status of bird in SFI yet. Bird survey was done by using point count method. The bird population density was analyzed by using distance 6.2 and bird diversity was calculated by using Shannon-Wiener diversity index. A total of 343 birds belong to 53 species from 21 families were detected. The bird population in 2-year mangium plantation was 17.71 individual per hectare and Shannon-Wiener diversity index for bird diversity was 3.24. This study shows that the bird population density and diversity in SFI were higher as compared to other past studies in Borneo plantation area.

This review addresses the impacts of the noise, the vital role of acoustic communication and the response of the bird in overcoming the increased anthropogenic noise. The rapid development human activities nowadays induce the noise that interrupt the acoustic communication of birds. Disturbance of the signals transmission causes detrimental impact on the birds as they are highly depending on the acoustic communication for their survival, territory defense and reproduction. Continuous exposure of the noise then results in the declination of species richness of which have been stated by several past studies. Although most of the studies stated that the negative impact as a consequences from the anthropogenic noise, however there is positive effect contributed by the noise of which are also recorded in other studies. Moreover, the impacts other variables such as vegetation density that cause major changes to the bird population as compared to noise have also been highlighted in several studies. This indicates that considering several influencing factor is important in measuring impact that leads to the changes that occur within the bird population. Thus, in depth studies on the impacts of anthropogenic noise towards the species of birds by taking into account other contributing variables is important to enable the noise management to be conducted effectively especially in development areas as way in conserving the biodiversity of the bird population.