Vertebrates of Lambir Hills National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia
2002
Shahanan, M. | Debski, I.
We present a list of vertebrates recorded in Lambir Hills National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia. The list was compiled from published sources, personal observations made by the authors over three years and contributions of unpublished observations by scientists and bird watchers. Our checklist includes 65.3 percent more species than the park's last inventory, published in 1985. Excluding fish, which have yet to be considered in any detail, 367 vertebrate species have been recorded in the park to date. These comprised 237 bird species, 64 mammals, 46 reptiles and 20 frogs. Drawing comparisons between the bird fauna recorded in 1985 and the recorded the late 1990s, we noted the increased observation of species normally considered montane/hill forest specialists and of species generally found in open/disturbed habitats. Anthropogenic effects were cited as contributing to these changes in the composition of the avifauna. We identified 23 bird and mammal species for which reliable records have not been made since 1985. Most of these absences can be readily explained but the fates of three species raised conservation concerns. One species, the Helmeted Hornbill (Buceros vigil) is considered to have become locally extinct in the park whilst the fates of Great Slaty Woodpecker (Mulleripicus pulverulentus) and Banded Langur (Presbytis melalophos) are uncertain. Despite the high species diversity, population densities, especially of large species, appeared to be low. This is of special concern given the extent of illegal hunting that we have observed in the park.
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