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Kaviarasu M, Ramli FF, Mohd Ilham Norhakim L, Othman N, Mahyuddin NAA, Haris H, Sariyati NH, Najmuddin MF, Aman S, Zaharin SF, Abdul-Latiff MAB. First insight into freshwater fish assemblages in the western part of the Endau-Rompin landscape, Malaysia. NATURE CONSERVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.50.86090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In Malaysia, our knowledge of freshwater ecosystem and its aquatic inhabitants, particularly freshwater fish, remains inadequate, even in protected regions. It is essential to understand the composition of freshwater fish, their distribution along river gradients, and their interactions between environmental variables to develop and strategize effective conservation and management plans. Consequently, an investigation into freshwater fish assemblages in three rivers draining off from the western part of Endau-Rompin Landscape was conducted in 12 established substations. Sampling sessions were conducted from September to December 2021 in the Labis district of Johor, using multiple sampling methods along 200 meters for each substation. The environmental variables were measured using water quality parameters. A total of 66 species were collected. The family Cyprinidae presented the highest species diversity (17 species), constituting 52% of total capture. Crossocheilus obscurus was the most dominant species, and the highest species richness was recorded in the Segamat River (45 species), followed by Juaseh (36 species) and Labis River (34 species). It was discerned that the composition of fish varied between the substations. The knowledge presented here is the first documentation on the freshwater fish from these rivers. It would serve as a baseline information for key authorities and stakeholders to conserve the biodiversity inhabiting freshwater ecosystems in Malaysia.
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Cabral de Mel SJ, Seneweera S, de Mel RK, Medawala M, Abeysinghe N, Dangolla A, Weerakoon DK, Maraseni T, Allen BL. Virtual Fencing of Captive Asian Elephants Fitted With An Aversive Geofencing Device to Manage Their Movement. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Cabral de Mel SJ, Seneweera S, de Mel RK, Dangolla A, Weerakoon DK, Maraseni T, Allen BL. Current and Future Approaches to Mitigate Conflict between Humans and Asian Elephants: The Potential Use of Aversive Geofencing Devices. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:2965. [PMID: 36359089 PMCID: PMC9653792 DOI: 10.3390/ani12212965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Asian elephants are a principal cause of human-wildlife conflict. This results in the death/injury of elephants and humans and large-scale crop and property damage. Most current human-elephant conflict (HEC) mitigation tools lack the flexibility to accommodate the ecological needs of elephants and are ineffective at reducing HEC in the long-term. Here we review common HEC mitigation tools used in Asia and the potential of Aversive Geofencing Devices (AGDs) to manage problem elephants. AGDs can be configured to monitor animal movements in real-time and deliver auditory warnings followed by electric stimuli whenever animals attempt to move across user-specified virtual boundaries. Thus, AGDs are expected to condition elephants to avoid receiving shocks and keep them away from virtually fenced areas, while providing alternative routes that can be modified if required. Studies conducted using AGDs with other species provide an overview of their potential in conditioning wild animals. We recommend that the efficacy and welfare impact of AGDs be evaluated using captive elephants along with public perception of using AGDs on elephants as a means of addressing the inherent deficiencies of common HEC mitigation tools. If elephants could be successfully conditioned to avoid virtual fences, then AGDs could resolve many HEC incidents throughout Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surendranie Judith Cabral de Mel
- Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
- National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka
| | - Saman Seneweera
- National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ruvinda Kasun de Mel
- Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Zoology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - Ashoka Dangolla
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka
| | - Devaka Keerthi Weerakoon
- Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, University of Colombo, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
| | - Tek Maraseni
- Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
- Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Benjamin Lee Allen
- Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth 6034, South Africa
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Mohd-Radzi NHS, Karuppannan KV, Abdullah-Fauzi NAF, Mohd-Ridwan AR, Othman N, Muhammad Abu Bakar AL, Gani M, Abdul-Razak MFA, Md-Zain BM. Determining the diet of wild Asian elephants ( Elephasmaximus) at human-elephant conflict areas in Peninsular Malaysia using DNA metabarcoding. Biodivers Data J 2022; 10:e89752. [PMID: 36761586 PMCID: PMC9836633 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.10.e89752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human-elephant conflict (HEC) contributes to the increasing death of Asian elephants due to road accidents, retaliatory killings and fatal infections from being trapped in snares. Understanding the diet of elephants throughout Peninsular Malaysia remains crucial to improve their habitat quality and reduce scenarios of HEC. DNA metabarcoding allows investigating the diet of animals without direct observation, especially in risky conflict areas. The aim of this study was to determine: i) the diet of wild Asian elephants from HEC areas in Peninsular Malaysia using DNA metabarcoding and ii) the influence of distinct environmental parameters at HEC locations on their feeding patterns. DNA was extracted from 39 faecal samples and pooled into 12 groups representing the different sample locations: Kuala Koh, Kenyir, Ulu Muda, Sira Batu, Kupang-Grik, Bumbun Tahan, Belum-Temengor, Grik, Kampung Pagi, Kampung Kuala Balah, Aring 10 and the National Elephant Conservation Centre, which served as a positive control for this study. DNA amplification and sequencing targeted the ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase gene using the next-generation sequencing Illumina iSeq100 platform. Overall, we identified 35 orders, 88 families, 196 genera and 237 species of plants in the diet of the Asian elephants at HEC hotspots. Ficus (Moraceae), Curcuma (Zingiberaceae), Phoenix (Arecaceae), Maackia (Fabaceae), Garcinia (Clusiaceae) and Dichapetalum (Dichapetalaceae) were the highly abundant dietary plants. The plants successfully identified in this study could be used by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) to create buffer zones by planting the recommended dietary plants around HEC locations and trails of elephants within Central Forest Spine (CFS) landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nor Hafisa Syafina Mohd-Radzi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43000, Bangi, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia43000, Bangi, SelangorMalaysia
| | - Kayal Vizi Karuppannan
- Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), KM 10 Jalan Cheras, 56100, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), KM 10 Jalan Cheras56100, Kuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Nurfatiha Akmal Fawwazah Abdullah-Fauzi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43000, Bangi, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia43000, Bangi, SelangorMalaysia
| | - Abd Rahman Mohd-Ridwan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43000, Bangi, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia43000, Bangi, SelangorMalaysia
- Centre for Pre-University Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaCentre for Pre-University Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak94300 Kota Samarahan, SarawakMalaysia
| | - Nursyuhada Othman
- Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600 Johor, MalaysiaFaculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus)84600 JohorMalaysia
| | - Abdul-Latiff Muhammad Abu Bakar
- Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600 Johor, MalaysiaFaculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus)84600 JohorMalaysia
- Oasis Integrated Group (OIG), Institute for Integrated Engineering (I2E), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Johor, MalaysiaOasis Integrated Group (OIG), Institute for Integrated Engineering (I2E), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia86400 Parit Raja, JohorMalaysia
| | - Millawati Gani
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43000, Bangi, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia43000, Bangi, SelangorMalaysia
- Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), KM 10 Jalan Cheras, 56100, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), KM 10 Jalan Cheras56100, Kuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Mohd Firdaus Ariff Abdul-Razak
- Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), KM 10 Jalan Cheras, 56100, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), KM 10 Jalan Cheras56100, Kuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Badrul Munir Md-Zain
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43000, Bangi, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia43000, Bangi, SelangorMalaysia
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Cheah C, Yoganand K. Recent estimate of Asian elephants in Borneo reveals a smaller population. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Cheah
- WWF‐Malaysia, CPS Tower, Centre Point Complex Kota Kinabalu Sabah Malaysia
| | - K. Yoganand
- WWF‐Greater Mekong, Saylom Village Chanthabouly District Vientiane Capital Lao People's Democratic Republic
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Wong EP, Campos-Arceiz A, Zulaikha N, Chackrapani P, Quilter AG, de la Torre JA, Solana-Mena A, Tan WH, Ong L, Rusli MA, Sinha S, Ponnusamy V, Lim TW, Or OC, Aziz AF, Hii N, Tan ASL, Wadey J, Loke VPW, Zawawi A, Idris MM, Abdul Patah P, Abdul Rahman MT, Saaban S. Living With Elephants: Evidence-Based Planning to Conserve Wild Elephants in a Megadiverse South East Asian Country. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2021.682590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Theory of Change (ToC) and Social Return of Investment (SROI) are planning tools that help projects craft strategic approaches in order to create the most impact. In 2018, the Management & Ecology of Malaysian Elephants (MEME) carried out planning exercises using these tools to develop an Asian elephant conservation project with agriculture communities. First, a problem tree was constructed together with stakeholders, with issues arranged along a cause-and-effect continuum. There were 17 main issues identified, ranging from habitat connectivity and fragmentation, to the lack of tolerance toward wild elephants. All issues ultimately stemmed from a human mindset that favors human-centric development. The stakeholders recognize the need to extend conservation efforts beyond protected areas and move toward coexistence with agriculture communities for the survival of the wild elephants. We mapped previous Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) management methods and other governmental policies in Malaysia against the problem tree, and provided an overview of the different groups of stakeholders. The ToC was developed and adapted for each entity, while including Asian elephants as a stakeholder in the project. From the SROI estimation, we extrapolated the intrinsic value of the wild Asian elephant population in Johor, Malaysia, to be conservatively worth at least MYR 7.3 million (USD 1.8 million) per year. From the overall calculations, the potential SROI value of the project is 18.96 within 5 years, meaning for every ringgit invested in the project, it generates MYR 18.96 (USD 4.74) worth of social return value. There are caveats with using these value estimations outside of the SROI context, which was thoroughly discussed. The SROI provides projects with the ability to justify to funders the social return values of its activities, which we have adapted to include the intrinsic value of an endangered megafauna. Moreover, SROI encourages projects to consider unintended impacts (i.e., replacement, displacement, and deadweight), and acknowledge contributions from stakeholders. The development of the problem tree and ToC via SROI approach, can help in clarifying priorities and encourage thinking out of the box. For this case study, we presented the thinking process, full framework and provided evidences to support the Theory of Change.
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Characteristic of habitat suitability for the Asian elephant in the fragmented Ulu Jelai Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia. Trop Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42965-021-00154-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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de la Torre JA, Wong EP, Lechner AM, Zulaikha N, Zawawi A, Abdul‐Patah P, Saaban S, Goossens B, Campos‐Arceiz A. There will be conflict – agricultural landscapes are prime, rather than marginal, habitats for Asian elephants. Anim Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. A. de la Torre
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences University of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih, Selangor Malaysia
- Programa Jaguares de la Selva Maya Bioconciencia A.C Ciudad de México Mexico
| | - E. P. Wong
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences University of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih, Selangor Malaysia
- Management & Ecology of Malaysian Elephants University of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih, Selangor Malaysia
| | - A. M. Lechner
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences University of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih, Selangor Malaysia
- Lincoln Centre for Water and Planetary Health School of Geography University of Lincoln Brayford Pool Lincoln Lincolnshire LN6 7TS UK
| | - N. Zulaikha
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences University of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih, Selangor Malaysia
- Management & Ecology of Malaysian Elephants University of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih, Selangor Malaysia
| | - A. Zawawi
- Department of Wildlife and National Parks Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
| | - P. Abdul‐Patah
- Department of Wildlife and National Parks Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
| | - S. Saaban
- Management & Ecology of Malaysian Elephants University of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih, Selangor Malaysia
- Department of Wildlife and National Parks Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
| | - B. Goossens
- Organisms and Environment Division Cardiff School of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff UK
- Danau Girang Field Centre Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia
- Sabah Wildlife Department Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia
- Sustainable Places Research Institute Cardiff University Cardiff UK
| | - A. Campos‐Arceiz
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences University of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih, Selangor Malaysia
- Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute Chinese Academy of Sciences Nay Pyi Taw Myanmar
- Center for Integrative Conservation Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden Chinese Academy of Sciences XTBG Menglun Yunnan China
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