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Biological Conservation 28 (1984)253-273
Distribution and Status of the Sumatran Rhinoceros in Peninsular Malaysia R o d n e y W. F l y n n t & M o h d . Tajuddin A b d u l l a h Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ABSTRACT Distribution and status of the Sumatran rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis in Peninsular Malaysia were studied from 1975 to 1981. We compiled information collectedfrom field surveys, interviews with people living near rhino areas, and the literature. Most potential rhino areas were surveyed on the ground to confirm the presence of animals, estimate numbers, and evaluate the status of the habitat. We confirmed that rhinos presently occur in ten isolated areas scattered throughout the Malay Peninsula. The number of rhinos is estimated at 50 to 75 animals with the Endau-Rompin (20--25), Taman Negara (8-12), and Sungai Dusun (4-6) areas containing the largest contiguous populations. The Sumatran rhino appears threatened with immediate extinction in Peninsular Malaysia. Excessive killing o#rhinos because of the high commercial value of their body parts has greatly reduced numbers. Habitat destruction from logging and forest clearance has separated and isolated already small populations. We recommend that conservation efforts Jbr this species in Malaysia be concentrated in the Endau-Rompin region because this population has the best chances for survival.
INTRODUCTION The Sumatran or two-horned Asiatic rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis Fischer 1814, one of the world's rarest large mammals, is threatened t Present address: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Game, 230 South Franklin Street, Juneau, AK 99801, USA. 253 Biol. Consere. 0006-3207/84/$03.00 ,',L~ElsevierApplied Science Publishers Etd, England, 1984. Printed in Great Britain
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Rodney I4I. Flynn, Mohd. Tajuddin Abdullah
with extinction throughout its range (Simon, 1969). Once found across southeast Asia, this rare, forest-dwelling rhino is now restricted to small isolated populations occurring in Burma, Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo (Van Strien, 1974; McNeely & Laurie, 1977; Borner, 1979; Schenkel & Schenkel, 1979; Payne, 1980; Flynn, 1981). Excessive hunting has greatly depleted rhino numbers and reduced their distribution (Van Strien, 1974). The high value of their body parts, especially the horn, continues to encourage illegal killing (Martin, 1979). In addition, extensive habitat destruction from logging and forest clearance for agricultural development has isolated already small populations and reduced the amount of suitable habitat. In Malaysia, little information has been available on the distribution and status of the Sumatran rhino, the literature consisting mostly of old accounts by hunters and game wardens (e.g. Hubback, 1939; Foenander, 1952; Hislop, 1965). Difficult field conditions and elusive animals have discouraged extensive field surveys. After reviewing the status of rare Asian wildlife, Talbot (1960) emphasized the lack of information on the Sumatran rhino in Malaysia. A brief field survey by Milton (1963) provided information on the occurrence of a small rhino population near the Bernam River in the state of Selangor. In 1965, the 40km 2 Sungai Dusun Wildlife Reserve was established to protect these rhinos. Strickland's (1967) short study of this rhino population provided the first ecological information on the species. About the same time, Stevens (1968) surveyed other existing wildlife reserves in Malaysia and proposed the establishment of additional sanctuaries where he had found rhino sign. In 1974, the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) initiated a long-term study on the distribution and status of the Sumatran rhinoceros in Peninsular Malaysia. This paper presents the results of that study along with a review of historical reports collected from the literature and DWNP files. From 1975 through 1981, we compiled all rhino reports collected from DWNP field staff and interviews with people working or living in rhino habitat. Potential rhino areas were surveyed on foot to confirm the presence of animals. Confirmation of rhino reports by field surveys was necessary because most people confuse rhino tracks with those of Malayan tapir Tapirus indicus. We found that many people believe tapirs are actually young rhinos; the base Malayan name (badak) is the same for both animals. During the field surveys, we recorded all rhino sign, especially tracks
Distribution and status of Sumatran rhinoceros in Peninsular Malaysia
255
and wallows, encountered while hiking through suspected rhino areas. Usually we walked along stream bottoms or ridges, where sign was most likely to be found. Sometimes a local guide would show us specific places where tracks or wallows had been observed previously. Recent rhino tracks were followed until at least 10 rear footprints could be recorded. For each track, the maximum width between the lateral toes and the width of the middle toe was measured (Flynn, 1978). The minimum number of individual animals in an area was estimated based on differences in median track size and the distance between track locations (Flynn & Abdullah, 1983). Also, the relative frequency of rhino sign encountered during a field survey was used as a rough index of rhino density. We attempted to survey all potential rhino areas, but time availability and travel restrictions prevented us from visiting some places and adequately covering others, especially in the northern states of Perak, Kedah, and Kelantan. These states contain large, remote forested lands, and much of the border region is closed to non-military personnel. Our research effort was concentrated in areas that showed the most promise for conservation of the species, especially the Endau-Rompin region in the southern portion of the Malay Peninsula. Peninsular Malaysia, located at the southern tip of the Asiatic continent (1 ° to 7 ° N latitude and 100 ° to 103°E longitude), contains 131,700km 2 of land divided politically into 11 states. Sarawak and Sabah, the Malaysian states in northern Borneo, were not included in this study. The topography of the Malay Peninsula is characterized by a prominent north-south granitic mountain range with several lesser ranges and small valleys. Broad plains lie along the east and west coasts. Several major river systems dissect the country into large basins which form the basis for most political subdivisions. Malaysia's climate is tropical everwet with little seasonal variation because of close proximity to the equator and warm oceans (Whitmore, 1975). The days are hot and humid, with the mean temperature near 27°C in lowland areas and annual rainfall ranging from 2000 to 5000 mm (Dale, 1952). In the northern part of the peninsula, rainfall is more seasonal, influenced by the October-toDecember monsoon season in the northeast, and the June-to-September monsoon in the northwest. The natural vegetation of Peninsular Malaysia is tropical evergreen rain forest of the Indo-Malayan formation (Richards, 1952). These forests are exceedingly species-rich, containing about 4000 species of woody plants, primarily trees and climbers (Whitmore, 1975). Forest
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Rodney W. Flynn, Mohd. Tajuddin Abdullah
structure is characterized by large (to 60 m) emergent trees, dominated by the family Dipterocarpaceae, which extend above a nearly closed main canopy at a height of 20 to 45m. The dense understorey consists of numerous small trees, palms, climbers, and herbaceous plants. Many problems exist in the classification of these forests (Poore, 1963), but the primary forest can be grouped into 15 general forest types (Wyatt-Smith, 1964; Whitmore, 1975). In this study, the following general forest types were encountered: (1) lowland dipterocarp forest (below 300 m); (2) hill dipterocarp forest (300 to 800 m); (3) upper dipterocarp forest (800 to 1200 m); and (4) montane forest (above 1200 m). Almost 99 ~ of Peninsular Malaysia was once covered with tropical rain forest (Lee, 1980). Recently, large tracts of forest have been cleared and planted to agricultural crops. Today, about 55 ~o of the total land area is covered with forest (Forest Department, 1977) and about 22 ~ of the land area is planted to agricultural crops, primarily rubber, oil palm, and rice. The balance of the land area is wasteland, swamp, or urban development. Of the present forested lands, about 30 ~o have been logged, including most of the lowland forest below 300 m. By 1990, most of the lowland areas will have been converted to agricultural crop lands, and most of the remaining commercial forest will have been logged (Lee, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION AND NUMBERS
Southern region Endau-Rompin area
The literature contains many reports of Sumatran rhinos occurring along the border of the states of Johor and Pahang, within the upper watersheds of the Endau and Rompin rivers (Fig. 1). Foenander (1961) conducted several brief surveys in Pekan District of Pahang and mapped the distribution of rhinos based on interviews with villagers. Milton (1963) collected a few reports of rhinos occurring in the upper Endau River basin and also near Tanah Abang and the Tersap River along the lower Endau. During a survey of the Endau-Kluang Wildlife Reserve, Stevens (1968) found rhino sign between the Endau, Emas, and Semberong rivers, and he recommended that this area be protected as a wildlife sanctuary. In 1970, members of the Malayan Nature Society (Ellis, 1971) made several trips
Distribution and status o f Sumatran rhinoceros in Peninsular Malaysia
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Fig. 1. Locations of Sumatran rhino track observations in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia. Rhino distribution in the Endau-Rompin area is marked by crosshatching. An unconfirmed report is indicated by a question mark.
into the upper Endau River area and reported evidence of rhinos in the upper Selai, Segamat, and Endau watersheds. We surveyed the entire Endau-Rompin region, with an emphasis on the remaining tract of contiguous unlogged forest (Flynn & Abdullah, 1983). Rhino sign was found throughout the region, especially within the contiguous primary forest, an area of about 1600 km 2. Rhino tracks were found consistently in the upper Endau, Selai, Kemidak, Juaseh, and Segamat watersheds in Johore; and the upper Pukin, Jekatih, Sekin, and Kemapan basins in Pahang (Fig. 1). We found no evidence of rhinos occurring in certain areas where they had been reported previously. Interviews with villagers living along the lower Endau River indicated that rhinos had not occurred in the Tanah Abang or Sungai Tersap areas for many years. Likewise, villagers living along the Semberong River stated that rhinos no longer occurred in that area, which had been proposed by Stevens (1968) as a rhino sanctuary. Much of the land between the Semberong and Endau rivers has been cleared for agriculture, and the Emas River area has been heavily logged. A survey along the eastern portion of the region near Gunung Lesong indicated that rhinos probably
Rodney W. Flynn, Mohd. Tajuddin Abdullah
258
no longer occur east of the mountains, as reported previously by Foenander (1961). The number of rhinos occurring in the Endau-Rompin region was calculated by multiplying estimated rhino densities by the amount of occupied habitat. Based on the frequency that rhino sign was encountered during the survey, the habitat was divided into high and low density areas. The high-density area was censused four times between 1977 and 1980 to estimate the minimum number of animals (Flynn & Abdullah, 1983). The 1980 census estimated that 10 animals occurred in the 400km 2 census study area, a density of 1 animal 40 k m - 2. In the rest of the region, rhino density was much lower, probably less than half. Within the 1200 km 2 of low-density habitat, we estimated rhino density conservatively at 1 animal 80-120 km -2. Thus, a total of 20 to 25 rhinos occur in the entire 1600 km 2 of remaining habitat (Table 1). During the study period, the tracks of at least three young rhinos were recorded. In 1975-76, the tracks of a cow/calf pair were found often in the TABLE 1 Number of Sumatran Rhinoceros in Peninsular Malaysia
Region
Number
Forest type
Southern Endau-Rompin Gunong Belumut Mersing Coast
20-25 2-3 0-1
Lowland and hill Hill and montane Lowland
Northcentral Taman Negara Sungai Lepar Sungai Depak Kuala Balah Bukit Gebok Krau Reserve
8-12 3-5 3-5 3-4 1-2 0-1
Lowland Lowland Hill Lowland Lowland Lowland
West Coastal Sungai Dusun
4-6
Lowland
Northwest Ulu Selama Ulu Belum Kedah Border
3-5 3-5 0-1
Lowland and hill Lowland and hill Hill
Total
50-75
and hill and hill and hill and hill and hill
D&tribution and status of Sumatran rhinoceros in Peninsular Malaysia
259
upper Selai and Endau river areas. During the 1977 census survey, P. Conry (pers. comm.) recorded tracks of a cow/calf pair in the upper Juaseh-Kemidak area. Several reports of a cow/calf pair in the upper Kemidak basin were obtained in 1981. Beginning in February, villagers at Kampung Juaseh reported that they occasionally encountered tracks of a cow/calf pair in the upper basins of the Juaseh and Kemidak rivers. The presence of this pair was confirmed by track observations during March and June. All other track observations were of single animals, probably adults or independent sub-adults. This information indicates that the Endau-Rompin rhino population is still reproducing, but at an extremely low rate (0.5 young per year). In 1933, 1014km 2 of the upper Endau River area in Johore was established as the Endau-Kluang Wildlife Reserve by the state government. For many years, the remoteness of the region protected it from exploitation, but during the 1960s most of the land suitable for agriculture was excised, and several timber concessions were allotted, even within the wildlife reserve. In 1972, the federal government proposed that the Endau-Rompin area be established as a national park, with protection of the Sumatran rhino a major justification. This national park would contain the upper Endau River basin and adjacent lands, including portions of Johore and Pahang. In conjunction with the rhino surveys, the Endau-Rompin area was evaluated as a national park, and a management plan was prepared (Flynn, 1980). Briefly, this plan recommends that 870 km 2 of this region be classified as a national park, with special attention given to the most important rhino areas. High-use rhino areas would be zoned to exclude unnecessary disturbance and patrolled extensively by park wardens to prevent poaching. According to this plan, the proposed park would preserve about 65 ~o of the remaining rhino habitat in the region. The balance of the rhino habitat, which includes most of the high-value commercial timber, has already been committed to timber concessions. Most of the area to be logged will remain covered by forest and managed by the Department of Forestry (DF) for timber production. Presently, the Malaysian government is considering the proposed management plan.
Gunong Belumut Stevens (1968) reported finding rhino tracks near Gunong Belumut in central Johore (Fig. 1). During 1977, a rhino was observed swimming across the Kahang River near the northwest slope of the mountain (DF
260
Rodney W. Flynn, Mohd. Tajuddin Abdullah
staff, pers. comm.). We made a brief visit to the Gunong Belumut area in 1978 and found tracks of at least one rhino in the upper Kahang River basin. Additional reports of rhinos occurring in the upper Kahang and Madek watersheds on the west and north slopes of Gunong Belumut were received in 1980 from villagers living along the lower Kahang River. Based on the limited information available, we estimate that two or three rhinos occur in the Belumut area. Today only about 230 km 2 of steepland adjacent to Gunong Belumut remain under forest; the rest of the former 2300 km 2 Endau-Kota Tinggi Wildlife Reserve has been cleared for agricultural development. Stevens (1968) recommended that this area be protected as a wildlife reserve, but no action was ever taken on his proposal. Some of the steepland adjacent to Gunong Belumut will probably remain forested, but the long-term survival of rhinos is unlikely there.
Mersing coast Stevens (1968) found tracks of one or two rhinos along the east coastal plain within the Tenggaroh Forest Reserve, located about 40 km south of the district town of Mersing (Fig. 1). Unfortunately, we were unable to visit this area and no recent information is available. The presence of rhinos there is doubtful because much of the forested land has been logged or cleared for agricultural development.
Northcentrai region Taman Negara Rhinos have been reported consistently from northern Pahang, southern Kelantan, and western Trengganu (Fig. 2), especially within Taman Negara (National Park) (Foenander, 1952; Hislop, 1961; Khan, 1971). Rhinos were hunted extensively in northern Pahang by Hubback (1939), but he provided few details on the location of his hunting areas. After Taman Negara was established as a national park in 1937, D W N P staff began collecting information on rhino distribution in this remote area (Hislop, 1961; Khan, 1971). Rhino sign has been reported most frequently from the Spia River basin in the eastern section of the Park. Hislop (1961) hiked across much of the Park while he was a game warden and recorded rhino sign only from the Spia River north into the states of Trengganu and Kelantan. In 1976, M. Khan (pers. comm.) visited the Spia River area and found fresh tracks of
Distribution and status of Sumatran rhinoceros in Peninsular Malaysia
NORTHCENTRAL" ~ REGION ~ /' < \ °"
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Fig. 2. Locations of Sumatran rhino track observations in the northcentral region of Peninsular Malaysia. An unconfirmed report is indicated by a question mark. The area occupied by Taman Ncgara (National Park) is shown by cross-hatching.
one or two rhinos near the mouth of the Reh River. Our survey of the Spia-Reh area in 1977 confirmed the presence of at least two animals in this region. Based on the locations of wallows, these animals appeared to range from the Spia River north to the Trengganu border. Information collected from our guide and other people living in the area indicated that these rhinos probably range farther north into southern Kelantan (Fig. 2). Recently, additional track observations have been recorded by D W N P staff in the Reh River area (Zaaba Abidin, pers. comm.). A brief survey of the upper Lebir River basin in the northeastern section of the Park during 1978 did not record any rhino sign. In 1975, R. Olivier (pers. comm.) encountered tracks of an estimated three to five rhinos in the upper Atok River basin and adjacent areas in the southern portion of the park. Later in 1975, Musa Nordin (pers. comm.) recorded rhino sign at the same location, Our survey of the Atok River basin in mid-1976 confirmed the presence of at least one rhino, although
262
Rodney W. Flynn, Mohd. Tajuddin Abdullah
little evidence of use was found. Another survey in 1980 did not record any rhino tracks in the lower Atok area. This information indicates that rhino density in the lower Atok Valley is low, and areas located farther to the west are used more frequently. Only a few other reports of rhinos occurring within Taman Negara exist. In 1964, an adult rhino was observed near park headquarters at Kuala Tahan ( D W N P ranger, pers. comm.). The tracks of this animal were followed along the Tahan River to a point near the Kelantan border (Khan, 1971). In 1977, another adult rhino was observed swimming across the Tembling River near Kuala Tahan. These animals may have come from the upper Tekai River area south of the Park, where Foenander (1952) suggested that rhinos occur. Our surveys of the upper Tahan River in 1977 and 1981 did not locate any rhino sign, even at a previously used salt lick (Jenut Segantang). Rhino tracks were reported at Jenut Segantang in 1981 by a park ranger (Zaaba Abidin, pers. comm.). R. Olivier (pers. comm.) surveyed much of the Pahang portion of the Park for elephants during 1973 to 1975, but he found rhino sign only in the Atok area. Interviews with Orang Asli (aboriginals) who live and travel extensively within the Park indicated that rhino sign was rarely encountered. Other rhino reports have been collected from the western portion of the Park in the upper Tanum River watershed, but these reports were not confirmed. We estimate that 8 to 12 rhinos presently occur in the Taman Negara region, with the upper Atok and Spia river areas being used most frequently. This estimate includes animals that range extensively into areas adjacent to the Park in the states of Pahang, Trengganu, and Kelantan. Additional survey work is needed to provide better documentation of the distribution and number of rhinos in Taman Negara. However, our information indicates that rhino density in this region is quite low. Also, tracks of young rhinos have never been recorded, indicating that recruitment is extremely low. Perhaps present population density is below a minimum needed for successful reproduction.
Sungai Depak Hislop (1965) suggested that rhinos ranged from Taman Negara into southern Kelantan (Fig. 2). In 1976, M. Khan (pers. comm.) found tracks of two rhinos along the Depak River in the upper Lebir River basin. Later in 1976, we confirmed the presence of at least two animals at the same location. At that time, a new logging road had been constructed along the
Distribution and status o f Surnatran rhinoceros in Peninsular Malaysia
263
Depak River. Rhino sign was found only near the end of this road where logging had not yet started. During 1977-1979, much of the Depak area was logged. No positive rhino reports have been received since the logging began. In 1979, M. Griffin (pers. comm.) found no rhino sign while conducting a forest inventory of the upper Lebir River area. Based on available information, we estimate that three to five rhinos may occur in the upper Lebir River area. Animals found previously near the Depak River may have moved farther eastward or southward into more mountainous terrain, or they may have been eliminated during the logging operation by illegal hunting. During the next few years, most of the forested lands in southern Kelantan will be logged and the survival of rhinos outside Taman Negara is unlikely.
Kuala Balah In 1976, we visited an area near Kuala Balah in the Pergau River basin, Kelantan (Fig. 2). Villagers in the area showed us recent tracks of one or two animals and a frequently used wallow located near the edge of the primary forest. In 1977, a rhino was killed by poachers in the same area, about 50 km to the northeast. This animal's horn had been cut off with a chain saw. No other information is available on this rhino population. Based on track observations and reports from villagers living in the area, we estimate that three to four animals may occur in this section of central Kelantan. The chances of these animals surviving are low because most of the forest will be logged or cleared for agricultural development during the next few years. Sungai Lepar Foenander (1952) suggested that rhinos occurred in the upper Jengka Valley and the northwest portion of the Kuantan District of Pahang. In 1976, we investigated a report of rhinos occurring in the Lepar River Valley, located about 80 km west of the town of Kuantan (Fig. 2). A villager showed us a place on the east side of the Lepar River where he had observed a rhino during the previous week. We followed fresh rhino tracks from the point of his observation into nearby secondary forest. Suddenly, we encountered a large adult rhino running from a well-used wallow. The next day, older rhino sign was found 9 km upstream from the wallow near the primary forest fringe. F r o m 1976-78, P. Conry (pets. comm.) surveyed most of the lowland area within the Lepar Valley while studying the Malayan gaur Bos gaurus. Occasionally, he encountered the tracks and wallows of at least two animals along the primary forest
264
Rodney W. Flynn, Mohd. Tajuddin Abdullah
fringe west of the Lepar River. The only other rhino report from Kuantan District was received in 1979 from the geologist at the Sungai Lembing mine. J. Singh (pers. comm.), reported that a rhino was observed while a work crew was surveying the mountainous area directly north of the mine. We estimate that three to five rhinos occur within this section of the Kuantan District. These animals may range northward from the Lepar River to Taman Negara. Unfortunately, a thorough search of the hilly lands to the west and east of the Lepar Valley was not possible. Presently, this mountainous area is contiguous with a large forested region to the north. Large-scale agricultural development is planned for the upper Lepar River basin and the adjacent Tekam Valley, which will isolate the Lepar rhinos from those in the Taman Negara region. The long-term survival of the Lepar rhinos is uncertain because of the large amount of agricultural and forestry development in the region.
Bukit Gebok In 1980, rhino sign was reported from the Bukit Gebok area (Fig. 2). A survey of this small isolated patch of forest confirmed the presence of at least one animal. We suspect that this isolated, solitary animal will not survive long because this patch of habitat is small and the threat of poaching is high. Krau Wildlife Reserve Hislop (1965) reported that rhinos occurred within the 500km 2 Krau Wildlife Reserve in 1941, primarily on the western slopes of Gunong Benom (Fig. 2). Milton (1963) recorded the last confirmed rhino sign in this reserve. We were unable to survey the Krau Reserve because access was strictly controlled by the police. Information collected from villagers living near the Reserve indicated that rhinos probably no longer occur within the Krau. West coastal region
Sungai Dusun Wildlife Reserve The Sumatran rhino occurred sympatricly with the Javan rhino Rhinoceros sondicus along the west coastal plain (Fig. 3), especially in the states of Selangor and Perak (Foenander, 1952; Groves, 1967). The last known Javan rhino in Malaysia was shot in 1932 (Medway, 1969), and this species is now thought to be extinct in Malaysia. Because of the
Distribution and status of Sumatran rhinoceros in Peninsular Malaysia
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