Rapid Assessment of Terrestrial Fauna in Bidong Island, Malaysia

Abstract

Rapid assessment of Bidong Island, Terengganu was conducted from 26 August to 2 September 2019 to document species diversity of birds and mammals. Mist nets and harp traps were used throughout the sampling period. Despite unfavourable weather, we managed to record three birds: Todiramphus sanctus, Chalcophaps indica and Haliaeetus leucogaster; and four small mammals: Cynopterus brachyotis, Hipposideros bicolor, Callosciurus notatus and Rattus argentiventer. We highlighted that T. sanctus, C. indica, H. bicolor and R. argentiventer are the new locality records for Bidong Island. Our data were pooled with previous findings on selected taxa (e.g., bees, butterflies, reptiles, birds and small mammals) to update the terrestrial faunal checklist on the island. Overall, Bidong Island has 69 species from 35 families, of which Cnemaspis bidongesis is endemic to the island. Forty-nine species of Bidong Island have been listed in the various schedules of the Malaysian Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716), while none of the total species recorded are listed as threatened species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Species. The ongoing study should be conducted to determine the contribution of regenerated forests in the conservation of terrestrial fauna as in line with Malaysia’s National Biodiversity Policy (NBP) 2025 and United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.KeywordsBiodiversityWildlife Conservation Act 2010National Biodiversity PolicySustainable development goalsSouth China SeaTerengganu