Amalia (sitting right) with other survey participants during the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area wildlife survey.
KOTA KINABALU (Nov 27): Researcher Amalia Safra Abd Hamid expressed both excitement and concern regarding the survival of numerous wildlife species inhabiting a disturbed forest outside the core area of the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA).
During a recent Yayasan Sabah resource and wildlife survey, Amalia discovered that the secondary forest, which acts as a buffer zone for ICCA, serves as a paradise habitat for many wildlife species.
“What is most interesting is that the forest around our campsite is a habitat for many insect species, especially butterflies,” she noted.
“Every morning, we would wake up to find various kinds of caterpillars that had made cocoons on the clothes we hung up overnight.
“We also found some rare insect species such as the eight-spotted crab spider, giant red fire millipede and giant pill millipede,” she said, adding that she highly recommends entomologists visit this area to conduct research.
While thrilled with her findings, Amalia also expressed concern about the threats facing wildlife species living in secondary forests, particularly human-wildlife conflict.
“I can imagine what the future holds for these wild animals living in insecure secondary forests,” she said, emphasizing that wild animals need suitable habitat areas with less exposure to threats like illegal hunting.
Amalia setting up a camera trap.
She also observed that the forest area where they conducted the survey had less canopy cover, making it more humid.
“Secondly, the route to this forested area is very open with the presence of logging and oil palm lorries that frequently come and go, causing this area to become dusty,” she remarked.
Amalia, 23, was among 114 participants of a 14-day Yayasan Sabah’s resource and wildlife survey at Imbak Canyon Conservation Area, which concluded in September 2024.
The survey was implemented through Yayasan Sabah’s Conservation and Environmental Management Division (CEMD).
Through the survey, Amalia learned many important aspects of ecosystems and wildlife in the surveyed area, particularly regarding habitat structure, microclimate and diverse species in primary and secondary forests.
“I also had the opportunity to learn techniques in wildlife surveys, such as using camera traps, mist netting and identifying various wildlife species,” she said.
She commended the state government’s conservation efforts through Yayasan Sabah Group as a very appropriate commitment to ensuring the survival of endangered wildlife species endemic to Sabah and protecting their habitats.
Moreover, she emphasized that continuing these conservation efforts is crucial as it contributes to scientific research and sustainable eco-tourism development.
“To me, continuation of these conservation efforts is very important, especially to face threats like illegal logging and hunting and uncontrolled land opening,” she stated.
Amalia is currently conducting research on Banteng for her degree course at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and fully sponsored by Sabah Environmental Trust (SET).
“I’ve been collecting data on Banteng since April 2024 and will complete it in 12 months,” she said.
Her research aims to contribute to establishing basic data on the current population status of Banteng in Imbak Canyon.
Banteng is classified as an endangered species under the IUCN Red List and is also listed under Schedule 1 of Enakmen Pemeliharaan Hidupan Liar Sabah 1997 due to its small population size and declining population trend throughout its distribution area.
According to Imbak Canyon Conservation Area Strategic Management, Banteng presence was recorded in the area; however, its population size and distribution are unknown due to a lack of prior research.
Simultaneously, Amalia’s research at ICCA also aims to monitor natural nitrite deposits or natural salt licks because Banteng are often seen near such deposits, which are an important component of their diet.
