Abstract
Species knowledge is fundamental to understanding the relationships between species and the environment, supporting the sustainability of natural resources. In this case study, lack of knowledge and ignorance of the species’ current status could instigate the extinction of certain species in Gunung Mulu National Park (GMNP), which possibly led to UNESCO status withdrawal. Both the local population and visitors are the closest stakeholders in the conservation efforts of GMNP. However, it still limited information on to what extent they know about the biodiversity and conservation value of major species in GMNP according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Therefore, this study examined their knowledge of the concepts of biodiversity and the status of threatened species in GMNP. A questionnaire was distributed to the local community (n = 99) and visitors (n = 87) through face-to-face and online surveys, respectively. They were asked about basic knowledge of biodiversity and the native species identification based on conservation priorities through a given guided picture. Based on thematic analysis, most respondents (43.5%) could only interpret biodiversity terms and relate them to genes and species. Yet their understanding of the biodiversity concept and its degradation impacts is high. The findings also presented that those who are retired, have lower income, and have fewer dependents tend to have a lower level of species literacy. Therefore, the empirical study provides insights into developing a biodiversity conservation framework for GMNP, emphasising species literacy among the public to promote holistic park management.