WILLIAM GEORGE JEBRON¹

SUMMARY

With effect from 29 May 2000, Gunung Pueh Forest Reserve, with an area of 16,706 ha, was constituted as an extension to Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary. Rajanathan (1992) had studied diurnal primates in the original Sanctuary in 1991-92, investigating the way in which different species used the different forest types and correlating this with flowering and fruiting patterns; the results of his transect surveys are shown in Table 2.

However, no surveys had been done in the new extension. This study aimed to collect new data on wildlife presence and abundance for comparison with the existing Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary. It would also provide baseline reference material on wildlife in the extension area. The survey concentrated primarily on primates, but other species of mammals and birds were also recorded when seen.

Study site
The Sungai Asam area lies within the new extension, and has been extensively logged for many years. Access has been easy for poachers and hunters, as well as other forms of encroachment.

Two 2000m transects about 600m apart were used, both running approximately south from the Sungai Asam Camp. They cross kerangas forest growing on unconsolidated sand dunes, lowland dipterocarp and some emperan and riverine forest.

Morning surveys
The survey began at 7.00 a.m. Pairs of observers walked each transect, equipped with binoculars and data sheets. They walked slowly and quietly and stopped at each 25m mark for one minute to look and listen. It took about four hours to survey each transect of 2,000 metres.

Night surveys
Only 1,000 metres of each transect was used for night surveys. Pairs of observers went to the 1,000m mark well before dusk, waited until it was dark at about 7.30 p.m., then walked slowly back, stopping for one minute at each 25m mark. Torch lights were used to detect animals, often picked up by their eye-shine.

Data Analysis
Index Counts were calculated for the main species observed. The Index Count is the average number of animals seen per kilometre (Rabinowitz 1997). It is calculated from -

Index Count = Total number of animals (groups or individuals) seen
                  Total distance (km) of transect walked

Similar indices can be calculated for the number of animals heard or for the number of signs seen. The population density was not calculated as insufficient data were collected in the short period of the survey for proper analysis.

The Survey
The two line transects were walked by day for six consecutive days, making the total distance 24 km. Night surveys were carried out on four nights for a total of 8 km.

Mammals and birds
The list of species recorded in the Sungai Assam area is shown in Table 1, which includes those species seen or heard outside the formal transect surveys. Table 1 also shows the number of animals seen during the line transect surveys and the Index Counts (ie the number of individual animals divided by 24km). For primates, the number of groups seen and the Index Counts for groups are shown in Table 2.

A group of three black hornbills was seen on one occasion, and Malay lorikeets were seen in two small groups and one large group of twelve or more.

Very few animals were seen during the night surveys, apart from unidentified bats. The Malay civet, which is normally a nocturnal animal, was seen during the morning survey. Calls of brown hawk-owl were heard during night surveys on four occasions.

Humans
Both transects cross old logging roads which still in good condition and being used by intruders in vehicles. There were fresh human foot prints and motorcycle tracks on the logging roads, and signs of recent cooking and barbecuing at an old hut by a log depot.

We heard gunshots fired inside the sanctuary three times during night surveys. The sound of the engines of the logging trucks from a distance away was also heard on a few occasions at night. During our transect walk in the morning, the distant sound of chainsaws could be heard.

The Index Counts for groups of primates for the present study and Rajanathan’s (1992) study are presented in Table 2.

Table 2 : Number of groups and Index Counts for primates seen in Samunsam WS

Comparing the data from this small survey, with only 24 km of transect walked over a short period, with Rajanathan’s (1992) data should be done with caution. In particular, we did not lay out transects in specific forest types, though they did include some kerangas forest, where Rajanathan found very low densities of primates.

Most of the species expected in the area are present but in a small numbers. Some may have been habituated to the disturbance and the presence of humans in the area.

Animals change their behaviour in response to human disturbance, in some cases becoming more nocturnal, which would affect the results of a quantitative wildlife survey done in daytime. It was surprising to record a Malay civet – normally a nocturnal animal – during the morning survey. However, this is not the case for the primates shown in table 2, which are strictly diurnal.

Hunting is still a big problem in this area and access for hunters to the interior of the sanctuary is still easy.

My study shows that most of the species of mammals and birds of Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary were found in this area but only in small numbers. Small populations can quickly disappear if action is not taken immediately, but they can recover if all types of hunting activities are stopped. Regular monitoring of wildlife species in the area is essential because we know that small populations are vulnerable. Legal protection must be backed up with enforcement and education.

To determine appropriate management strategies in future, more research and wildlife surveys have to be carried out in the area. The results will help identify population trends and the species occurring in this area.

Table 1. List of species recorded in Sungai Assam area, with numbers seen during morning transect surveys and Index Counts where appropriate

REFERENCES

Rabinowitz, A.(1997). Wildlife Field Research and Conservation Training Manual. Wildlife Conservation Society, New York.

Rajanathan, R. (1992). Surveys at Samunsam WS. Sarawak Forest Department and WCS.