The diversity and activity patterns of wild felids in a secondary forest in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

A study to describe the diversity of wild felids was carried out in Jerangau Forest Reserve, Ulu Terengganu, Malaysia, using camera traps, over a period of 21 months. A total of 24 camera traps were used, with a total of 5,972 trap days. Six species of wild cats in five genera were recorded: tiger Panthera tigris, leopard Panthera pardus, clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa, leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis, golden cat Catopuma temminckii and marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata. This represents all but two of the felid species known to occur in Peninsular Malaysia. The use of camera traps provided detailed information on the occurrence and activity patterns of these relatively secretive mammals. The most frequently photographed species was tiger (38.5% of records) followed by leopard (26.3%) and leopard cat (21.9%). The presence of charismatic flagship species such as tiger in this unprotected lowland dipterocarp secondary forest will be of help to local conservation organizations and the Wildlife Department in any proposals for the protection of these areas.