Spared from poaching and natural predation, wild boars are likely to play the role of dominant forest species in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations have increased remarkably in many parts of the world. In predominantly Muslim regions such as Peninsular Malaysia, wild boars are native species that have thrived, in part, because Muslims do not hunt them, and also because apex predators such as Malayan tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) are declining rapidly. We examined the relationship between the number of wild boar detections, and both landscape metrics and on-site vegetation structure in forestry reserves of Peninsular Malaysia. Camera-trapping was used to record wild boar detections. At each camera trap location, we measured the characteristics of the surrounding landscape and site-level habitat attributes. Our analyses revealed that the number of wild boar detections was positively associated with the number of trees with DBH > 45 cm, number of fallen trees, number of palms, number of saplings, and elevation. In contrast, the number of wild boar detections was negatively associated with the distance from nearest paved and unpaved roads, number of trees with DBH < 45 cm, and canopy cover. Surprisingly, we found that the number of wild boar detections was not associated with forest type, landscape type, and logging. The high detection of wild boars may indicate that large carnivores are disappearing in the forestry reserves. Generally, our findings suggest that wild boar can thrive in tropical fragmented landscapes with favourable site-level habitat characteristics, limited hunting pressure, and an absence of apex predators. In conclusion, wild boars are most likely to affect the ecological integrity of forest reserves.