Project update - Malaysia Tropical Forest Conservation Project (Malaysia) - June 2004
Added to website: 01 June 2004
Project Brief
Aim
The Malaysia Tropical Forest Conservation Project is a collaborative project between Coral Cay Conservation and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. The aim of the project is to conduct rapid biodiversity assessments of the Perhentian islands forests, in order to compile a detailed species list and highlight the species distributions between and across the two main islands.
Location
The islands of Besar and Kecil of the Perhentian Archipelago, Terengganu, approximately 20km off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
CCC Partners
CCC is working in partnership with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Peninsular Malaysia).
Terrestrial Science Programme
Baseline Surveys
This month two five days surveys were performed on Pulau Perhentian Besar, one at the North of the island and one on the deserted East side. One five-day survey was performed on Pulau Perhentian Kecil.
Interesting / Unusual Sightings
This month our surveys have uncovered further new species on both Besar and Kecil. The Paradise Tree Snake (Chrysopelea paradisi), a species rare everywhere in its range was seen on Kecil, along with a species of tree frog yet to be identified. Other Herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) seen include the Speckled Leaf Litter Skink (Scinella reevesii) and the Green Crested Agamid* (Bronchocela cristatella).
Our bat catching efforts have discovered the presence of the Black Bearded Tomb Bat (Taphozous melanopogon), Dayak Fruit Bats* (Dyacopterus spadiceus), Lesser Sheath Tailed Bats* (Emballonura monticola) and further species of Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus affinis and Rhinolophus lepidus/refulgens).
On the East side of Besar several more sightings of the Nicobar Pigeon, an IUCN Red Listed species, have been made as well as the possible discovery of another eagle, the White Tailed Eagle (Haliateetus albicilla).
In addition, a further 9 species of butterfly have been photographed for our records.
