IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Wahab, A.Z.A.; Siong, B.L.M.; Sharma, D.S.K.; Jayasilan, M.A. | |
| Tiger Ecology Study in FELDA Jerangau Barat, Peninsular Malaysia | |
| 2006 Full Book | |
Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) Jerangau Barat (FJB) in the State of Terengganu has a long history of livestock predation by tigers compared to other oil palm plantation schemes. This oil palm plantation scheme has become one of the hotspots for human-tiger conflict. WWF-Malaysia initiated this study to assess the Malayan tiger (_Panthera tigris jacksoni_) population and elucidate aspects that are relevant to understanding and solving the human-tiger conflict in the area. This study also incorporated a component to assess the overall effect of implementing various conflict mitigation prescriptions to the local tiger population. Camera-trapping was selected as the main tool to accomplish both the objectives. Two camera-trapping sessions were conducted in the surrounding forest of the oil palm plantation and the Jerangau Forest Reserve (JFR). The first session was carried out from February 2000 to October 2001 while the second was conducted from May 2003 to September 2003. From the first camera-trapping session 12 individual tigers were found to roam the study area. A total of five males, four females and a cub were identified. Out of these, one male and three females were identified as resident tigers. There were also two other unidentified tigers whose sex could not be determined. In the second session, six individual tigers were identified which includes three males, two females and one tiger whose sex could not be determined. Three individuals, one male and two females photographed in the second session are actually resident tigers that were photographed in the first session. Average minimum roaming areas for resident tigers were estimated from the cameratrapping results. The minimum roaming area for the resident male and three other resident females was 345km2, 198km2, 229km2 and 186km2 respectively. Results from camera-trapping also enabled the plotting of activity levels for tigers and their main prey, wild pig (_Sus scrofa_) and barking deer (_Muntiacus muntjak_). The study shows that the tigers were nocturnal, being most active during dawn and dusk (6am to 8am 2 and 6pm to 8pm). The wild pig (_Sus scrofa_) and barking deer (_Muntiacus muntjak_) both show a diurnal pattern with a tendency for the latter to be more active during dusk. The results from camera-trapping and surveys conducted among farmers at selected villages around FJB suggested that the local tiger population was not negatively affected by the implementation of better livestock management by the locals in oil palm schemes. Density indices for tiger, wild pig and barking deer were also calculated. The indices for all three species were considerably lower during the second session compared to the first. This could be due to the replanting activities that had taken place in the area and the shorter study duration. In this study, camera-trapping enabled the study team to monitor the tigers in the area and understand their ecology in relation to human-wildlife conflict. It was a practical way to monitor the effectiveness of conflict mitigation prescriptions in terms of its impact to the local tiger population. The photographs from the camera traps were also a tremendous asset in influencing and engaging the stakeholders. The study team came across several problems relating to the current methods of camera-trapping. Besides significant resource requirements, in terms of finance and manpower, camera traps can be prone to malfunction when left in the field due to rain and moisture. Film in camera traps was also sometimes spoilt by fungus. Camera traps are also at risk of being stolen or damaged by elephants. Despite these limitations, camera-trapping has been shown to be a very practical and feasible tool to estimate minimum roaming area for tigers and for monitoring tiger populations especially in areas where other methods do not work. |
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