Caves aren’t just empty spaces

LIPIS Geopark in Pahang is gaining recognition not only for its geological heritage, but also for its importance as a living landscape for Malaysia’s wildlife. Centred around the limestone karst formations of Merapoh, the geopark forms part of a wider ecological network that includes forest reserves, cave systems, and the buffer zones of Taman Negara Pahang.

A recent camera-trapping study in Lipis Geopark shows why this landscape deserves greater conservation attention. Researchers recorded 30 vertebrate species from the Merapoh cave complex and nearby forested buffer zones, including mammals, birds, and reptiles.