Critically endangered: Sunda pangolin is ‘totally protected’ under Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. — Photo courtesy of Danau Girang Field Centre
Sabah’s endangered Sunda species is the most trafficked mammal in the world
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s forests are an ideal sanctuary for the endangered Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), but there is an urgent need for protection strategies for the mammals, according to a study published in the Global Ecology and Conservation journal.
The scientific study reveals that about half of Sabah’s land area, about 39,530 sq km, is a suitable habitat for the Sunda pangolin.
However, these areas are under constant threat from poaching, worsened by habitat loss and fragmentation that increased accessibility and vulnerability, alongside the high demand for pangolins.
The researchers conducted the study as part of a state-wide High Conservation Value (HCV) assessment, in part for Rare, Threatened and Endangered (RTE) species.
Their aim is to identify key areas crucial for the pangolin’s preservation and suggested targeted conservation strategies to protect these ecosystems.
Despite being the most trafficked mammal in the world, Sabah’s natural forests serve as a vital refuge that safeguards the survival of this unique species, the study said.
Pangolins are unique among mammals for their scale-covered bodies, which unfortunately make them a target for poachers.
Pangolin scales are sought after for use in traditional medicine while its meat is considered a delicacy in some Asian communities.
According to the study, a significant portion of the pangolin’s habitat is accessible to poachers and it has emphasised the urgency to create sanctuaries to protect the endangered mammal found in protected and commercial forests in Sabah.
Lead author of the study, Elisa Panjang, a PhD student at Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) and Cardiff University, said the study highlights a worrying fact that “91% of these areas are easily accessed by poachers”.
“This accessibility not only facilitates poaching but also hinders the pangolins’ chances for natural recovery,” she said, adding that the research stresses on urgent need for enhanced protective measures and effective management strategies.
DGFC director Prof Benoit Goossens, who co-authored the study, said that their findings provided a roadmap for where conservation efforts are most needed.
“Our study advocates for strict monitoring and law enforcement within these vulnerable habitats to prevent illegal activities and highlights the resilience and adaptability of Sunda pangolins in non-forest habitats, such as oil palm plantations or urban areas.
“Therefore, conservation efforts need to be boosted, particularly in areas with suitable but unprotected habitats,” Prof Goossens said.
Dr Nicola Abram, who led the mammal species mapping for Sabah’s state level HCV assessment, said that expanding totally protected areas and implementing more sustainable land-use practices are crucial.
“Through important collaborations with institutions and scientists, we have gathered one of the most comprehensive databases on threatened mammals to guide conservation priorities and actions for some of Sabah’s most vulnerable wildlife,” she added.
