Project update - Malaysia Tropical Forest Conservation Project (Malaysia) - November 2004
Added to website: 01 November 2004
Project Brief
Aim
The Malaysia Tropical Forest Conservation Project is a collaborative project between Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN). CCC aims to assist in the biodiversity action plan of Malaysia by undertaking wildlife surveys within the defined different habitat types of the Setiu wetlands area. The aim of the work is the collection of further, in-depth baseline information on the health and ecological status of the forests, wetlands and associated habitat types of the Setiu area. In addition, it is one of the stated objectives of the proposed work to instigate a programme of training and conservation education at both the local scale and also at the national level within Malaysia.
Location
The project moved from the Perhentian Islands to Kampung Betang Linang, Terengganu, on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, in October. The project is located on the coast and still has a view on the Perhentian Islands (on a clear day!).
CCC Partners
CCC is working in partnership with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Peninsular Malaysia). The work of the project is also being supported by the Malaysian Nature Society and WildAsia.
Terrestrial Science Programme
Baseline Surveys
In our first month of surveying in the Setiu wetlands we have covered three different sites and are just beginning surveys on our fourth site. All of the sites have a distinct vegetation type, most notably our fourth site, which consists of young rainforest vegetation surrounded on all sides by scrubland. At each site we’ve conducted a number of point counts for birds, completed small mammal trapping, laid out pitfall traps for small reptiles and amphibians, as well as put up mist nets for bats and birds where possible. We’ve had some disappointments (not many mammals), but also some very exciting findings as noted in the next section.
Interesting / Unusual Sightings
We have seen huge water monitor lizards at a few of the survey sites, as well as a number of exciting snakes, including the Bronze-backed racer and the Oriental whip snake. The birds are great here! Colourful Kingfishers and woodpeckers as well as bulbuls, flowerpeckers and lots of birds of prey. We were lucky to catch a Common palm civet in our mammal traps so everyone had a good look at that!
Environmental Awareness
Capacity Building/Training of Local Counterparts
The local schools are currently closed, as it is a holiday period until January. However, we are organising weekly activities with some children from the village, such as arts and crafts, learning the names of plants and animals in English (and in Malay for us!), playing games etc.
