Sarawak, Malaysia

Project Description:

This project was a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institute and the Grand Perfect Forest Company.  It investigated the distribution of mammals within a mosaic of Acacia plantation and natural forest in Sarawak, Malaysia. The plantation was intentionally created with conservation corridors to sustain mammal populations. The project’s goal was to assist forestry managers in determining what extent of natural forest must remain to maintain large mammal species within the industrial forest.

Project Design:   

This study took place 40 km southeast of the town of Bintulu in Sarawak, Malaysia. Deer-Cam DC-200, and Non-Typical Inc., camera models were placed for approximately 30 days at 212 camera stations and a scent lure was placed at each site at deployment. From September 2005 – July 2007, 5679 camera trap-nights were recorded.

Regions of the plantation were divided into 1 km2 blocks, blocks were randomly selected, and 1–3 camera-units were placed within each selected block. Within each 1 block, camera units were placed at a minimum 200 m apart and 50 m from primary or secondary roads.