May 2003

WILDLIFE SURVEY OF BALAT DAMIT WETLAND

WILDLIFE SURVEY OFBALAT DAMIT WETLAND

17-30 March 2003

Report Produced Under Project MYS 406/98Partners for Wetlands Programme

Suite 1-7-W11, 7th FloorCPS Tower, No. 1

Jalan Centre Point, 88000PO Box 14393

88850 Kota KinabluSabah, Malaysia

Tel: 088.248490 Fax: 088.248697www.partnersforwetlands.org

www.wwfmalaysia.org/pfw

May 2003

Front cover: Aerial view of Danau Pitas (top); Nipa palms bordering the small tributaries of the Kinabatangan (center-left); aerialview of Kampung Abai (center); Heritiera trees and nipa palms (center-right); Rhizophoraceae tree shoots from seeds

(bottom).Photos: WWFM (top, center), Kinabatangan Orang-utan Conservation Project (center-left & right), WWF-Canon/Jurgen FRUEND (bottom)

By

Josephine Michael RegipModule C (Ecology) Coordinator

Partners for Wetlands Programme (PfW)Worldwide Fund for Nature - Malaysia (WWFM)

CONTENTSAcknowledgements ............................................................................. 5Executive summary ............................................................................. 6Ringkasan Eksekutif ............................................................................ 7

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 8

STUDY AREA................................................................................... 10

METHODS ....................................................................................... 11Survey techniques ...................................................................................... 11Line Transects............................................................................................ 11River/Oxbow Lake Surveys ......................................................................... 12

DATA ANALYSIS.............................................................................. 13

RESULTS ........................................................................................ 14The Habitats .............................................................................................. 14The Wildlife ................................................................................................ 15Overall ...................................................................................................... 15

Line transect ............................................................................................. 15Mammals ............................................................................................................... 15Primates ................................................................................................................ 16Ungulates .............................................................................................................. 17Birds ..................................................................................................................... 19

Boat survey .............................................................................................. 20Mammals ............................................................................................................... 20Birds ..................................................................................................................... 21Fish ...................................................................................................................... 22Reptiles ................................................................................................................. 22

DISCUSSION................................................................................... 23

RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................... 24

LITERATURE CITED ........................................................................ 25

APPENDIX ...................................................................................... 26

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This survey was conducted in collaboration between Sabah WildlifeDepartment and Partners for Wetlands, WWF Malaysia. I would like tothank our Project Manager, Datuk Rajah Indran, Dr. Geoffrey Davisonand Dr. Junaidi Payne for their support and invaluable advice and notforgetting our donor, WWF Netherlands. Thanks for constant support,encouragement and company received from Mr. Si-Siew Lim, friendlychats and information received from Mr. Zainal Abidin bin Ja’afar and wifeAsnih Etin and family, and the help of Sabah Wildlife Department, Mr.Ismail Maul and Mr. Sanari Samjeh is very much acknowledged; withouttheir tireless efforts, this survey would not have been as successful as itwas. Last but not least, my sincere thanks to the wonderful people ofKampung Abai.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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This survey was conducted in the Balat Damit Wetlands with emphasis onendangered species in collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department.The study area, which is situated between the Terusan Kinabatangan MangroveForest Reserves located to the north and the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuaryto the South on the Dent Peninsula, consists largely of Nypa fruticans andmangrove forest. Kampung Abai, comprising approximately four hundred eightyresidents, is the nearest human community in the study area.

Terrestrial mammals were surveyed by line transect while riverine specieswere specifically surveyed by boat along the Terusan Kinabatangan and thetributaries. Bird species were also recorded throughout the survey period.

A total of nineteen mammal species from eleven families, sixty seven birdspecies from twenty eight families and three reptile species were recordedin the study area. The study area is an important site for the rare Storm’sStork (Ciconia stormi). Orang-utans are found to be abundant in the studyarea. Their population here could possibly be the largest in the Kinabatanganregion. Borneo Elephants (Elephas maximus) use this area as part of theirhighway, seasonally migrating between the mangrove forests near KampungAbai and the forests near Kampung Batu Puteh.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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RINGKASAN EKSEKUTIFKajian ini dijalankan di kawasan Tanah Lembap Balat Damit denganmemberi penekanan ke atas spesies terancam dengan kerjasamaJabatan Hidupan Liar Sabah. Kawasan kajian terletak di antara HutanSimpan Paya Bakau di sebelah utara dan Sanktuari Hidupan LiarKinabatangan di sebelah selatan di atas Semenanjung Dent yangsebahagian besarnya ditumbuhi hutan nipah (Nypa frutican) dan payabakau. Kampung Abai adalah kawasan berpenduduk yang paling hampirdengan kawasan kajian dan mempunyai sekurang-kurangnya empat ratuslapan puluh orang penduduk.

Mamalia darat dikaji menggunakan kaedah transek sementara spesiestebing sungai dikaji menggunakan bot di sepanjang Trusan Kinabatangandan cawangan-cawangannya. Spesies burung juga direkod sepanjangmasa kajian.

Sebanyak sembilan belas spesies mamalia dari sebelas keluarga, enampuluh tujuh spesies burung dari dua puluh lapan keluarga dan tiga spesiesreptilia telah direkod sepanjang kajian. Walaupun tidak dikaji, kawasankajian merupakan kawasan penting bagi Burung Upeh Rimba (Ciconiastormi), iaitu spesies burung terancam dan semakin pupus. Orang utanbanyak didapati di kawasan kajian dan ini berkemungkinan merupakanpopulasi yang terbesar di kawasan Kinabatangan. Spesies Gajah-gajahBorneo (Elephas maximus) juga dipercayai menggunakan kawasan inisebagai laluan mereka dari Batu Puteh ke Abai dan sebaliknya.

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Balat Damit Wetland is situated between the Terusan KinabatanganMangrove Forest Reserves located to the north and the KinabatanganWildlife Sanctuary to the South on the Dent Peninsula. It consists ofestuarine inter-tidal forested wetlands, including mangroves, nipah, andtidal freshwater swamps to palustrine swamps near to Lots 1 and 2 of theKinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. The wetland was excluded from theoriginal Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary proposal for conservation onthe assumption this area is unsuitable for agriculture and aquaculturedevelopment, hence safe.

Areas such as Balat Damit Wetland are important because they provideresting areas for migratory birds, breeding grounds for fish, mollusks andother aquatic organisms. Balat Damit Wetland serves many complexecological functions and connects other conservation areas. Generally,flora and fauna diversity is expected to be low in comparison with dryland areas. However, flagship faunal species are confirmed to be presentin Balat Damit Wetland. Some of these charismatic species include Orang-utan, proboscis monkey and Borneo Elephant. A collaborative surveydone in Lot 1 of the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in 2000 by AsianRhino Elephant Action Strategy (AREAS), Sabah Wildlife Department(SWD) and Kinabatangan Orang Utan Conservation Project (KOCP)indicated that Sumatran Rhinos were present in the area at the time.

INTRODUCTION

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This survey aims to determine the biodiversity of the wetlands area andto encourage better protection of wetland habitat both within and outsideof government-sanctioned protected areas. Quantity of forest cover is anintegral component for the maintenance of wildlife population densitieswithin the area and it provides forest connectivity. As a result, wildlife canmove easily between forest areas and possibly reduce future human-wildlife conflict.

Orang-utan population density within the area is high. Results of an aerialcensus conducted by Ancrenaz (2002), shows that a population of aboutone hundred orang-utans live in the forests bordering Sungai Balat Damitwith a population density of 2.16 individuals/km2.AREAS data from recent studies show that Borneo Elephants use thisarea as part of their historical route between Batu Puteh and Abai areasand these elephants are known to spend at least three to four months ofthe year within the vicinity.

It is possible that Balat Damit Wetland is part of the range for remainingSumatran Rhinos, (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). within the LowerKinabatangan Region. Balat Damit Wetland is also an important site forStorm’s Stork (Ciconia stormi) and Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilosjavanicus), Brackish-water forest and nipa swamp forest are equallyimportant habitat for this latter species. Balat Damit Wetland also provideshabitat for other wildlife such as for proboscis monkey and other primatespecies, payau, bearded pig and several other ungulate species. Thisarea also plays an important role as feeding ground for migratory birdsand a nursery for fish, mollusks and various aquatic organisms.

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The main study area is located between 05o29’03.7”N to 117o52.29.4” and 05o38’57.8”N to 118o28’48.4”Ecovering approximately four thousand hectares. Danau Pitas, an ox-bow lake near the study area, is stillattached to forest. The principal vegetation in Balat Damit Wetland is mangrove forest with extensive stands ofNypa fruticans at the inland edge and the upper tidal limit of the estuaries. Upriver from there, beyond theinfluence of seawater, riverine forest and lowland swamp forest dominate in the seasonally flooded zone.

Three rivers were surveyed covering a distance of approximately one hundred fifty four kilometers. One of therivers surveyed was Sungai Balat Damit inclusive of its tributaries, between 05o40.65”N and 118o25.703”E to05o42.190”N and 118o23.151”E, covering a distance of fifty-five kilometers. The area is vegetated by very denseNypa fruticans, along both tributaries up to the boundary of Lot 1 of the Wildlife Sanctuary. Beyond theboundary, the vegetation changes to mixed freshwater swamp forest.

The upper reaches of Sungai Balat Damit have excellent examples of Dungun (Heritiera littoralis) forest behindthe nipa-lined banks. Both sides of the river inclusive of major tributaries were observed during the survey. Twoother rivers surveyed were Sungai Laklakan and Sungai Gologob.

Study AreaBalat Damit Wetland is situated on the largest remaining State land between the Terusan KinabatanganMangrove Forest Reserve and the swamp forests of Lot 1 of Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.

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Survey techniquesStandard line transect techniques were applied (Burnham et al., 1980;Sharma, 1992; Bennet et al., 1997) to estimate terrestrial wildlifeabundance. Although it is statistically driven, it still remains a practicaland inexpensive technique that can be applied to wildlife censusing. Boatsurveys were used to monitor proboscis monkeys and water birds in thestudy area. Any other sightings during the boat survey were also recorded.All sightings were recorded on a standardized survey sheet.

Line Transects

Fourteen transect lines extending approximately one kilometer per transectwere cut. Only small saplings and undergrowth were cut to minimizedisturbance to the forest. Transects were measured and marked withstakes at twenty-five meter intervals. Survey participants covered a totalof thirteen kilometers during the survey and each transect was walkedbetween 0600 to 1100 hours and 1700 to 1900 hours. Surveys wereconducted at a slow pace, averaging of two hours per kilometer. This isto ensure efficient detection of animal calls and movements. Stops weremade for thirty seconds after every twenty-five meters walked; followingrecommendations from Sharma (1992). Whenever an animal was detected,the following data was recorded on a standardized survey sheet :

1. Time of observation2. Location of observer3. Species observed4. Number of individual observed5. Number of individual estimated6. Observer-to-animal distance7. Animal-to-trail distance8. Height of the animal9. Mode of detection (sound, direct sighting, branch movement,

smell, tracks, feces)10. Comments (behavior, food, other interesting observations)

Methods

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Surveys were carried out from a boat powered by a 30-HP outboard enginealong the Kinabatangan River and major tributaries including Sungai BalatDamit, Sungai Laklakan, and Sungai Pakis. During observations, theboat speed was below fifteen kilometers per hour. Surveys were carriedout in the morning between 0600 and 1000hrs and in the evening between1630 and 1830 hrs. Both sides of the river (left and right) were observed.Whenever an animal/group of animals was detected, the following datawas recorded on standardized survey sheets:

1. Time of observation2. Location of observer3. Species observed4. Number of individual observed5. Number of individual estimated6. Composition (sexing for primates especially for proboscis

monkey)7. Height of the animal above the ground8. Mode of detection (vocalisation, direct sighting, branch

movement, smell)9. Comments (behaviour, food, other interesting observations)

All observations were made using x 10 binoculars. A Garmin 12CX GPShandheld was used for navigation. Identification of birds of mammals wasdone using MacKinnon and Phillipps (1993), Payne et al. (1985). Maps(scale = 1:50,000) were used to record coordinates and locations oftransects.

River/Oxbow Lake Surveys

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Data AnalysisBurnham et al. (1980) recommends a minimum sample size of forty sightingsto obtain a reliable density estimate for a species. Most terrestrial mammalsin Balat Damit Wetland exist in naturally low densities. One would have towalk longer distances to obtain sufficient sample sizes of sightings. In termsof the time frame for this survey, total distance walked, sample size ofsightings and area surveyed, a single one kilometer-long line transect wasnot sufficient to obtain reliable density estimates. Therefore, all mammalsand birds recorded from transects were used to compile a species list forthe study area (Appendix).

To compare relative abundance of wildlife between different study sites, theindices of abundance were also applied. These were calculated using thefollowing formula:

Index of abundance (Individuals/km)= Number of animal sighted per survey

Length of river surveyed

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This report refers to Azmi, (1998) for descriptions of different habitat typespresent in the study area and their corresponding species composition.Colonizing stands of Sonneratia caseolaris can be seen in the wetlandarea near Sungai Balat Damit. This forest is flooded and drained twicedaily by the tidal movement, because high tides temporarily block theflow of rivers in the estuarine region and cause them to flood the adjacentforest. The forest that develops here is very similar to seasonal swampforest in terms of species composition and structure but is consistentlywetter.

The flora species of freshwater tidal swamp in Balat Damit Wetlandincludes the following common associations; Polyalthia scelerophyla (withconical, peg-like pneumatophores), a stilt-rooted Elaeocarpus sp., andDungun, Heritiera lottoris) and some tidal swamps are mostly dominatedby palms. Common palms in the area include Nypa fruticans, Oncospermatigillarium, Pholidocarpus maiadum and the mangrove rattan,Daemonorops sp. Also common on the riverbanks and up to fifteen metersfrom the river inland is Pandanus helicopes, which is intolerant of brackishwater and is common on low muddy flats by tidal rivers or floodplains.

Pong Pong trees (Barringtonia sp.)occurs throughout the length ofSungai Balat Damit and itstributaries while Dungun trees(Heritiera littoralis) dominate theupper reaches of the river.

An additional type of vegetation inthe study area is the floating aquaticvegetation or floating meadowscommonly found in water bodies.

Floating meadows develop best around the shallow edges and channelsof ox-bow lakes, which are more open and exposed to direct sunlight.Danau Pitas in Abai was entirely dominated by the large-leaved Hanguanamalayana. The area serves as a corridor between the mangrove and theremaining forest patches. From a landscape perspective, this clearlyconnects the Wildlife Sanctuary to the Mangrove Forest Reserve.

Results

The Habitats

Top - bottom:Author with Dungun Tree (Heritiera littoris)

and nipa palms (Nypah fruticans); aerialview showing the association of Dungun

trees and nipa palms; aerial view showingnipa bordering the small tributaries of the

Kinabatangan River; nipa palms on thebanks of the Kinbatangan River.

Photos: WWFMAerial photos: Kinabatangan Orang-utan

Conservation Project

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The Wildlife

Overall

Nineteen species of mammals from eleven families, and sixty-sevenspecies of birds from twenty-eight families were recorded in the surveyarea. Mammals are listed in Table 1a and birds are listed in Table 1b.Beside mammals and birds, four reptile species were also recorded. Theyare freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), water monitor lizard(Varanus salvator), Asian Box Turtle (Cuora amboinensis), and forestlizard (Table 1c).

Line transect

A total of thirteen kilometers were surveyed totaling twenty-six hours ofactual observation. During the survey period, fourteen mammal speciesfrom nine families and fifty-one species of birds from twenty-four familieswere recorded (Table 2a). Other animals found within the transect areawere forest gecko and freshwater Asian Box Turtle (Cuora amboinensis)from the family Bataguridae.

Mammals

Twelve species of mammals from nine families including five primatespecies were recorded during the transect survey. However, this doesnot indicate the actual number of mammals present inside the surveyarea as no night surveys were carried out. Night surveys would significantlyincrease the present recorded number of mammals.

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Primates

Orang-utans (Pongo pygmaeus) occurs at most of the areas surveyedbut it is obvious that the animals are not evenly distributed. This is probablydue to the forest type. Fewer mammals were sighted inside forests whereNypa fruticans is the dominant vegetation. Orang-utans can still be foundin association forest of nipa and Heritiera littoris. An adult male orang-utan was observed resting on a Sonneratia sp. tree at Danau Pitas duringa boat survey. It was seen again the following days at the same location.In addition to this sighting, numerous orang-utan nests were observedalong transects. Fifteen nests were counted for the line transects area.This gives an approximate number of 1.15 nest/km. Nests were mainlyconcentrated in the drier places along Sungai Balat Damit and itstributaries and the highest concentration was found along the left tributaryclose to Lot 1 of the Wildlife Sanctuary.

The proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) are found only in Borneo andis distinct from other members of its sub-family. They were confirmed toinhabit mangrove and riverine forests. During the survey, there wereoccasions when they were seen in nipa forest where the area shareshabitat with Heritiera littoris. Social groups vary in size between ten tothirty consisting of one mature male with females or young, or all-malegroups. The Faunal Survey of Sabah (1982), indicates that large numbersof proboscis monkey were seen on the Trusan Kinabatangan, near BalatDamit Wetland and around Dewhurst Bay. A common feature of rangingbehaviour is that groups are always close to large water courses. Fromthe line transect survey for Balat Damit Wetland, species density wasdetermined at approximately 2 individuals/km2. However, boat surveysshowed higher density of proboscis monkey in the study area.

Top-bottom:Orang-utan (Pongo pygmaeus);

proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus).

Photos: WWF-Canon/Martin HARVEY;Cede Prudente

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Primates

Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) were found to be abundantinside the transect areas. They live in groups of about twenty individuals,although group sizes range between ten to forty or more individuals. Long-tailed macaques are predominantly animals of coastal and riverine habitats.They occurred in mangrove and nipa vegetation and in lowland forest nearthe rivers. It is impractical to count the number of individuals presentwithin the transect areas as the species are sensitive to human intrusionand will disappear before we actually finished counting their numbers.

Pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) were recorded within thetransect area but in small numbers. They are believed to range over muchlarger areas than any other primate species in Sabah. Ranging over sucha large area, they were infrequently seen and it was not possible to calculategroup densities for different transects.

Gibbon (Hylobates muelleri) is common and abundant in the lowlandforest over most parts of Sabah. This species was only seen once duringthe survey and their existence within the study area was detected bytheir loud calls.

Ungulates

Tracks of Borneo elephant (Elephas maximus) were recorded in thestudy area (Transect 2). Tracks were believed to be a month old and wereformed by a herd of elephants. According to recent studies conductedby Asian Rhino Elephant Action Strategy (AREAS), it was revealed thatthe elephants use this area as part of their highway from Batu Putehdown to the mangrove. Based on AREAS data, the elephants are knownto spend at least three to four months of the year within its vicinity. Sambar deer or payau (Cervus unicolor) were spotted directly in pairson one occasion during the survey. Fresh tracks and scratching signs ontree bark were seen on many occasions, along most transects. They aremost common in secondary, tall dipterocarp and swamp forests. It hasalso been recorded in kerangas, open swamps with sparse tree cover,mangrove and nipa forests. A total of eight sets of fresh tracks were seenin nine kilometers walked during the surveys. The figures obtained equalsto one animal per 1.1 kilometers walked.

Top-bottom:Borneon Gibbon (Hylobates

muelleri), their diet consists mainlyof ripe, fleshy fruit, young leavesand small insects; fresh tracks ofbearded pig were seen on manyoccasions within transect areas.

Photos: Cede Prudente; WWFM/J.Regip

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The Bornean subspecies of the bearded pig (Sus barbatus) is presentin high numbers throughout the study area. During transect surveys, directsightings of pigs or their fresh tracks or digging were recorded. Beardedpigs are generally spared from hunting in the survey area because OrangSungai are predominantly Muslim.

There were unconfirmed tracks of Tembadau (Bos javanicus) recordedin Transect 12 of Sungai Laklakan (pers. comm. Sabah WildlifeDepartment Ranger). This area is dominated by grass and Pandanus sp.

There was no sign or evidence of rhinos at the study area but it is possiblethat Balat Damit Wetland is utilized as part of the range for the remainingindividual Sumatran Rhinos, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis within the LowerKinabatangan Region adjacent to Lot 1. Rhinos have become extinct inmany areas of Sabah and only two areas have a probable viable populationat the moment; Tabin Wildlife Reserve and Ulu Segama-Kuamut area(Payne, 1990; Sharma, 1992).

Three squirrel species were recorded during the survey. They wereplaintain squirrel (Callosciurus notatus), plain pigmy squirrel (Exilisciurusexilis) and Low’s squirrel (Sundasciurus lowii). Both the plaintain andplain pigmy squirrels were relatively common throughout the study area.These squirrels were seen feeding on tree bark presumably for moss,lichens and insects.

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Birds

A total of fifty-one bird species from twenty-four families were recordedduring transect surveys. Four of Borneo’s eight hornbills species wererecorded within the transect area. These included the rhinoceros (Bucerosrhinoceros), helmeted (Buceros vigil), pied (Anthracoceros albirostris)and wreathed (Aceros undulates) species. Rhinoceros hornbills werenormally seen in pairs flying across the river.

Several species of bulbuls, flycatchers and pittas are present in the area.These include black-and-white bulbul (Pycnonotus melanoleucos), yellow-vented bulbul (P. goiavier), black-headed bulbul (P. atriceps), Malaysianblue-flycatcher (Cyornis turcosus), mangrove blue-flycathcer (Cyornisrufigasta), blue-banded pitta (Pitta arquata) and mangrove pitta (P.megarhyncha). Bulbuls are more abundant in old logged-over forest.

Three of Borneo’s five species of green pigeons occurred in the surveyarea. They were little green pigeon (Treron olax), pink-necked green pigeon(Treron vernans) and green imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea).

Ground-dwelling birds recorded include blue-breasted quail (Coturnixchinensis), white-breasted waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) and waterrail (Rallus aquaticus). Four species of raptor, oriental honey-buzzard(Pernis ptilorhynchus), brahminy kite (Haliastur indus), white-bellied fisheagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) and crested serpent eagle (Spilornischeela) were recorded in flight within transect areas. Other bird speciesrecorded from transects during the survey are shown in Table 2b.

Top-bottom:Little green pigeon (Treron olax) is a

fig-eating specialist; The crestedserpent eagle (Spilornis cheela)

bird of preyfeeds on snakes, lizards and other

small vertebrates.

Photos: WWFM/D.Sharma

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Boat survey

Approximately one hundred fifty four kilometers along Trusan Kinabatanganand its tributaries, Sungai Balat Damit, Sungai Laklakan, and SungaiPakis were surveyed totaling ninety hours of actual observation in thestudy area. During this time, eight species of mammals and thirty-onebird species were recorded. Only four reptile species were recorded inthe survey area. In addition, short-nosed fruit bats (Cynopterus brachyotis)were observed outside the area sampled by line transect method.

Mammals

Eight mammal species recorded during boat surveys were proboscismonkey, silvered leaf monkey, red leaf monkey, pig-tailed macaque, long-tailed macaque, orang-utan, oriental small-clawed otter and short-nosedfruit bat.

Proboscis monkeys and long-tailed macaques were the most commonprimate seen at Danau Pitas and along the Trusan Kinabatangan. Theyusually come to the rivers or lakes in the evening and spend the night ontrees by the riverside. Proboscis monkey and long-tailed macaque wereobserved to occupy the same tree on numerous occasions. From fieldobservations, one group of this primate consisted of six to twentyindividuals. Orang-utan nests were found abundant along the Sungai BalatDamit up to the Lot 1 of Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. Thirty-twonests were counted along Sungai Balat Damit and its tributaries, seventeennests around Datau Pitas, eight nests along Sungai Pakis and elevennests along Sungai Laklakan.

Long-tailed macaques were present in most of the tributaries surveyed.They were also seen playing on the riverbank of nipa and mangrove forest.They feed on young leaves and fruits. The group observed from the surveyranged from five to fifteen individuals. Silvered (Presbytis cristata) andmaroon (Presbytis rubicunda) langurs were among other colobinesobserved in the study area. They were uncommon and existed only in asmall group. A group of oriental small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinerea)consisting of 4-6 individuals were observed along the riverbank. Therewere two occasions when bearded pigs (Sus barbatus) were sightedfrom the boat.

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Birds

Five kingfisher species occurred in the study area. They were Stork-Billed (Pelargopsis capensis), Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting), Black-backed Kingfisher (Ceyxerithacus), and Back-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata).

The most common water bird species seen during boat survey was theIntermediate egret (Egretta intermedia). One of eight Malaysia’s mostthreatened birds, Chinese Egret (Egretta garzetta) was also recorded inthe study area. Other egret species recorded were great (Egretta alba)and little (Egretta garzetta nigripes) egrets.

The beautiful Black-and-red broadbill (Cymbirhnychus macrorhynchos)was seen throughout the freshwater swamp and riverine forest. Therewas no Storm’s Stork (Ciconia stormi) or Lesser Adjutant Stork(Leptoptilos javanicus) recorded during the survey. These two speciesand six other birds’ species recorded are considered threatened inMalaysia. Other bird species frequently sighted were bulbuls, babblers,pittas and waterhens.

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Fish

Fish ecology is still largely unknown in the region especially non-commercial species. Although it has not been surveyed Oxyeleotrismarmorata is known to occur in the study area. The species list includingOsteochilus sp., Mystus sp., Ophicephalus sp. Was constructed basedon informal interviews with fishermen from Kampung Abai. Balat DamitWetland is also an important refuge of the rare Borneo Black Bass fish(Lutjanus goldei), which is known only from eastern coastal Borneo toPapua New Guinea. Future investigation particularly in the swamp forestecosystem may show endemism and more species new to science asseen from the recently described freshwater river shark (Glypsis sp.).The intertidal reaches that characterize the southern section of BalatDamit Wetland offers shelter and breeding ground for fish, crabs, prawnsand mollusks.

Reptiles

Although lesser known, reptiles play an important role in the food chainin many ecosystems. They play vital ecological roles as predators incontrolling rats and mice populations. They in turn become food for manyraptor species. Two reptile species commonly seen during boat surveyswere freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and water monitor lizard,(Varanus salvator). Both species were usually seen swimming in theriver or basking on the riverbank.

Top - bottom:Balat Damit Wetland offers refuge

and nursery grounds for juvenile fish,crabs, mollusks, and prawns, an

important fisheries resource for thelocal community; the water monitor

lizard (Varanus salvator) was usuallyseen swimming in the river or basking

on the riverbanks; Asian Box Turtle(Cuora amboinensis); freshwater

crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)hatchling.

Photos: WWFM/J.Regip; WWF-Canon/KLEIN & HUBERT (bottom)

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DiscussionBalat Damit Wetland is located between Terusan Kinabatangan MangroveForest Reserve on the north side of Dent Peninsula and freshwater swampforest in Lot 1 of Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. This zone was excludedfrom the original Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary proposal on theassumption that this zone is unsuitable for agriculture or aquaculture andtherefore would be safe from development. However, it now appears thatthere may be proposals to utilize this land for wet rice cultivation.Conversion of this wetland area to private ownership would be a majorloss to the value of Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. The wetlands appearto be unsuitable for rice farming due to frequent flooding and intrusion ofseawater.

Studies done by Kinabatangan Orang-utan Conservation Project (KOCP)on Balat Damit Wetland reveals that this area supports high densities oforang-utan. Upgrading the protection status of Balat Damit Wetlands willbe a way to achieve the long-term survival of orang-utans in the area.Extensive studies conducted by the Asian Rhinoceros and ElephantAction Strategy (AREAS) on elephant movement revealed that this areais used as their migratory path and they may spend three to four monthsof the year within this area. A population of approximately one hundredelephants is currently confined to traveling along the Kinabatangan Riverbetween Batu Puteh and Abai areas. Further fragmentation of the forestcorridor will potentially increase human-wildlife conflict. Balat DamitWetland is possibly used as part of the range for the remaining SumatranRhinos (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) within the Lower Kinabatangan Regionadjacent to Lot 1 of the Wildlife Sanctuary.

A previous wildlife survey conducted by Partners for Wetlands in 2002(unpublished data), shows that Balat Damit Wetland supports a highdiversity of wildlife including the rare Storm’s Stork (Ciconia stormi). Thisarea is also an important fisheries resource for the local community ofKampung Abai and its surrounding inhabitants.

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1Proactive steps need to be taken to retain Balat Damit Wetland undernatural forest and to strengthen land status to avoid unsuitable orunsustainable land use. Gazettement of this zone as Wildlife Sanctuarymay not necessarily be the best option, as the existing Sanctuary isperceived to be too large by some sectors, while placing managementresponsibility on an agency other than Wildlife Department can help tostrengthen joint responsibility for managing the lower Kinabatanganwetlands. Use of the Water Resources Enactment (1998) is one option,perhaps with the Land Ordinance (1930) for reservation of a wetland reserveunder section 28.

2This recommendation should be brought to the attention of the localcommunity (Kampung Abai) and relevant government agencies fordiscussion and appropriate follow-up action.

Recommendations

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Ancrenaz, M. (2002). Preliminary report on the aerial survey over Abaiarea. HUTAN-KOCP.

Azmi, R. (1998). Natural Vegetation of the Kinabatangan Floodplain: Part 1 - An Introduction to its Natural Vegetation, incuding aPreliminary Plant Checklist of the Region. WWF Malaysia ProjectNo. : MYS 359/96.

Boonratana, R. 1993a. The ecology of behaviour of the proboscismonkey (Nasalis larvatus) in the Kinabatangan, Sabah. UnpublishedPhD thesis. Bangkok: Mahidol University.

Boonratana, R. and Sharma, D.S. 1997. Checklist of wildlife speciesrecorded in the Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah. Journal of WildlifeManagement and Research, Sabah, Volume 1: 47-60.

MacKinnon, J. and Phillipps, K. 1993. A Field Guide To The Birds ofBorneo, Sumatra, Java and Bali. Oxford University Press Inc., NewYork.

Payne, J., C.M. Francis and K. Phillipps. 1985. A Field Guide to theMammals of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Society / Kuala Lumpur:WWF – Malaysia.

Peter Paul van Dijk et al., 1998. A Photographic Guide to Snakes andOther Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd.

Rajaratnam, R. 1995. A mammal and bird survey in the LowerSegama Region, Sabah. Sabah Wildlife Department and WWFMalaysia.

Sharma, D.S. 1992. A wildlife survey of the proposed KinabatanganPark, Sabah. Unpublished report. Kuala Lumpur: WWF Malaysia.

Smythies, B.E. 1981. The Birds of Borneo. The Sabah Society and theMalayan Nature Society, Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur.

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