A Review of the Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis Larvatus) in Borneo, with Reference to the Population in Bako National Park, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo
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Tropical Natural History 16(1): 42-56, April 2016 2016 by Chulalongkorn University A Review of the Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus) in Borneo, with Reference to the Population in Bako National Park, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo 1,2* 2,3 MOHAMAD BIN KOMBI AND MOHD TAJUDDIN ABDULLAH 1 Forest Department Sarawak, Wisma Sumber Alam Jalan Stadium, 93060 Kuching, Sarawak, MALAYSIA 2 Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, University Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MALAYSIA 3 Centre for Kenyir Ecosystems Research, Kenyir Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, MALAYSIA * Corresponding Author: Mohamad Bin Kombi ([email protected]) Received: 28 August 2014; Accepted: 14 November 2015 Abstract.– The Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus) is endemic to the Island of Borneo. It dominates from the coastal areas to the headwaters of some major rivers. In Sarawak, its distribution occurred in coastal and swamp areas based on previous studies. The population in the Bako National Park, Sarawak is fluctuating when compared to previous studies. The total population of the proboscis monkeys is estimated about 306 individuals compared to the lowest of 111 individuals in 2005. The fluctuating numbers of N. larvatus population is assumed to be at the optimum carrying capacity Bako National Park. There are still large areas of habitat outside the Bako National Park that can support the increasing population size that must be secured to protect a viable population in the long term. KEY WORDS: Bako National Park, popuation, distribution, Nasalis larvatus, proboscis monkey, malaysian Borneo these questions, the study of a particular INTRODUCTION taxon across a range of ecological conditions provides a particularly useful The total number of proboscis monkeys framework for investigating key questions living in Borneo is widely believed to about the interactions between primates and number in the tens of thousands and number their habitats (Strum and Western, 1982; of publications and GIS information all Davies, 1994; Doran et al., 2002; Morrogh- pointed to the fact that proboscis monkey Bernard et al., 2009; van Schaik et al., habitats are declining at the rate of about 2% 2009). Furthermore, habitat quality can have per year (Manansang et al., 2005). important implications for primate Population size and trend in population size populations on the individual, group and have been found to be major indicators of population levels (Manansang et al., 2005). population health and viability (Reed et al., For example, habitat quality can influence 2003; O’Grady et al., 2004). So there is a individual reproductive success, group size, big question about how and why particular and a population’s probability of persistence ecological factors influence primate over the next generations. individuals, groups and population (Wrang- In Sarawak, based on information of ham, 1980; van Schaik, 1983; Isbell 1991; more than two decades, less than 1,000 Sterck et al., 1997). While primatologists animals are believed to be remaining in have used a variety of approaches to address 44 TROPICAL NATURAL HISTORY 16(1), APRIL 2016 sparsely and patchily distributed populations Lawas areas where their populations are that are due to habitat loss and illegal continuously with that in Brunei. It is also hunting (Bennett and Sabastian, 1988). The reported by questionnaire survey in 1979 by areas found with existing N. larvatus Sarawak Forest Department that it occurred populations are in Bako National Park, in Ulu Baram (Long Laput and Long Kasih) Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kuching and Ulu Limbang (Long Salidong) but there Wetland National Park, Maludam National is no known historic distribution of this Park, Limbang-Lawas, Ulu Sebuyau and monkey recorded in those areas. isolated areas outside national parks such as Kuching Wetland National Park mangrove at Kampung Bako. The numbers previously was designated as a Ramsar Site is declining due to the opening of coastal on the 8th November 2005. A study in this areas for massive logging, shrimp farming area by William and Andrew (2010) found and oil palm plantations (Bennett, 1988; the existence of N. larvatusis isolated but Boonratana and Sharma, 1992; Yeager, secured as totally protected area although 1992; Sebastian, 2000; Meijaard and the surrounding area is undergoing rapid Nijman, 2000a; Soendjoto 2004; development and human settlement (Beavitt Agoramoorthy, 2007). Some areas might be and Tuen, 2010). due to die back of mangrove forest due to Sebuyau National Park was constituted natural causes, anthropogenic disturbances and gazetted on the 25th March 2010 has and illegal encroachment (Meijaard and recorded the presence of N. larvatus. In Nijman, 2000). 2013 a sighting of the monkey was reported In Sarawak, there are several areas that by staff of Forest Department on field duty had been gazetted as totally protected areas in that area (Wan Omar Wan Wek per. such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries com.). This peat swamp area is known to be and nature reserves, such as Bako National the habitat of the Proboscis Monkey that can Park, Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary, support the survival of the population Kuching Wetland National Park (previously although the surrounding areas were logged known as Sarawak Mangrove Forest and cleared for agriculture plantations. Reserve), Sebuyau National Park, Maludam (Salter and Mackenzi, 1981) National Park, Rejang Mangrove National The Maludam National Park is one of the Park and Niah National Park are totally largest peat swamp area constituted as protected areas with sizeable populations of totally protected area still support a viable N. larvatus. However, some areas have no population of N. larvatus despite the recent recent records or study being done, such as invasion by illegal loggers. It was in Niah National Park, Maludam National previously reported that the minimum Park, Rejang Mangrove National Park and population was 47 animals based on their Sebuyau National Park. It was reported by highest simultaneous count (Salter and Salter and Mackenzi (1981) that the Mackenzi, 1981). populations are much dispersed, probably N. larvatus was not detected in Rajang occurring as at least three and possibly more Delta which is now known as Rajang subpopulations with no migration or Mangrove National Park (Salter and emigration. The distribution reported to be Mackenzi, 1981). In 11 June 1981, one skin in the areas of Rejang Delta, Sungai Suai of the monkey is seen in the logging camp and Niah areas in Miri, while the Limbang- KOMBI AND ABDULLAH — PROBOSCIS MONKEY IN BORNEO 45 by Forest Department (Salter and Mackenzi, as well as on the satellite islands of Berhala, 1985). Sebatik and Pulau Laut (Groves, 2001; In the western area of Miri, Sungai Suai Meijaard et al, 2008). In Sabah, large and Sungai Niah, there were reports of N. populations are in the Kinabatangan flood larvatus individuals. Recently researchers plain and around Dewurst Bay in the from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak reported Eastern Deltas. Brunei supports one sighting of the monkey during the field trip population in the estuaries. But the species in 2012 in the area and cannot be confirmed is in greater abundance in Kalimantan whether it was in the Niah National Park (Indonesian Borneo) with the population area (Millawati Gani and Ho Licia, pers. size range from 100 to 1,000 individuals comm.). (IUCN 2012). The Indonesian populations Another distribution record occurred in might be declining depending on the Limbang-Lawas area, where the population pastand current threats due to conversion of is continuous with that in Brunei and the coastal swamps to shrimp farming and possibly Sabah (1981). This is because these Pulau Kaget Nature Reserve population in three areas are sharing border with each South Kalimantan has reportedly been other and along the border are forested areas extinct since 1997 (Meijaard and Nijman, that might be the habitat of proboscis 2000). monkey. Recently study reported the Within Kalimantan large populations are sighting of N. larvatus at Kuala Lawas reported from Danau Sentarum Wildlife (Sundai, 2004). The existence of N. larvatus Reserve, Gunung Palung National Park, are known outside the totally protected area, Tanjung Putting National Park and in fragmented area, disturbed habitat and Mahakam delta (Sabastian, 1994, Yeager area that had been opened for agricultural and Blondal, 1992). There are still other plantations. There is immediate threat to the areas remain unprotected with relatively populations that are found outside protected large populations of N. lavartus which area and are prone to illegal poaching. includes the delta of Sungai Sesayap, Sungai Recently, it was reported by locals of Sembakung, Sungai Sebuku, Mahakam Sangkalan in Simunjan area that illegal Lake area, the freshwater and peat swamp hunters killed N. larvatus although there is forest areas of Central Kalimantan and the no record or history of the existing of the Kendawangan area (Meijaard and Nijman, monkey in the area. However the emergence 2000). In 1987, the estimated populations of the monkey in the area may due to the within Kalimantan (Mackinnon, 1987) were effect of the forest clearance for agriculture more than 250,000, with ca. 25,000 plantations, therefore, forcing the monkey protected inside reserves. Considering the populations into smaller areas of less figure is too high, Yeager and Blondal suitable habitat. High