Population estimate of painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) in three main breeding sites Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

The Painted Stork is an introduced species. The population started with 4 individuals being brought from Sri Lanka and handed over to Zoo Negara in 1965. It was allowed to fly freely within the Zoo Negara. However, in the last 10 years, this species has been actively spreading and can easily be seen in lakes and ponds around Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Due to its high adaptation, survival and breeding capability, the presence of this species may threat the survival of local bird species such as Milky Stork. Thus, this study was conducted to i) determine the population growth pattern of this species in Peninsular Malaysia, and ii) to understand how population at Zoo Negara forming other colonies such as at Putrajaya Wetland and Shah Alam main lake. Secondary data were gathered from published and unpublished reports, and primary data were collected from interviews with local authorities and personal observation at the sites between 2015 and 2017. Historical data suggested that the Painted Stork at Zoo Negara begun to explore outside Zoo’s compound in 2004, and successfully created breeding colonies at Putrajaya Wetland and Shah Alam main lake in 2008. Between 2004 and 2008 Painted Storks may have travelled from Zoo Negara to Putrajaya Wetland and Shah Alam main lake for feeding before permanently residing at these two sites. Data also suggested that populations at the three study sites grew exponentially until 2017; y=7E-108e0.126 for Zoo Negara, y=2E-250e0.2887 for Putrajaya Wetland, and y=7E-204e0.2353 for Shah Alam. Average population increased was estimated at 10 to 13% per year at all sites. Assessing the breeding success of this species, it is predicted that this species may have impact on the survival of other local water bird species such as Herons and Storks. Thus, proper management of this introduced stork species is urgently needed.