Large mammals

A survey study of large mammals in Krau Wildlife Reserve (KWR) was conducted between August 2000 and August 2001 using camera traps, informal interview and observation of secondary signs. Total area surveyed to date is approximately 440km². Forty-five people have completed a combined total of 718 man-days of fieldwork. A total distance of 822km has been walked for both camera-trapping and track and sign data collection. This figure roughly doubles if camera-trap retrieval is taken into account. Inclusive, a distance of 396km of trail were surveyed for track and sign data, which took a total of 412 hours. One hundred and twenty-six camera-trap locations have produced a combined total of 5676 camera trapnights. More than three-quarters (85%) of the large mammal species which were present in KWR 34-23 years ago, are still presence in the Reserve today. Species were not evenly distributed throughout the survey area and certain species, such as gaur, sambar deer and tiger had unexpectedly restricted distributions. Likewise, species richness was not even throughout the Reserve. In terms of relative abundance, wild boar, barking deer and sun bear were the most frequently encountered, widespread large mammal species in KWR, followed by malayan tapir and leopard. In addition to the five well-known salt licks, more than twenty other salt licks have been located by the Large Mammal Surveys since the start of the survey. The highest density of salt licks so far encountered is in the Kuala Lompat area. There are 10 salt licks within a 5km radius of the confluence. All of the salt licks so far located were in the lowlands, below 200m. The distribution of salt licks is having a profound effect on the distribution and relative abundance of large mammals in KWR. Preliminary finding suggest that vegetation, including potential grazing/browse areas, and altitude are also both directly and indirectly effecting the distribution, species richness and relative abundance of large mammals. Human activity was largely although not exclusively associated with the lowlands, and the edge of natural forest.