Camera-trap insights into wildlife diversity in SFERA@UMS urban forest, Sabah

Abstract

Urban forest remnants contribute to biodiversity conservation in rapidly developing cities. The Sustainable Forest for Education and Research Area (SFERA@UMS), a 25-ha forest fragment within Universiti Malaysia Sabah, has undergone restoration, but information on its wildlife is limited. We conducted a camera-trap survey from April to September 2023 to document mammals and birds present in the area. Nine camera traps were deployed continuously and periodically relocated, generating 1,620 camera-trap nights. Seven wildlife species were detected, including six mammals and one bird. Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis; Endangered) accounted for the majority of detections, indicating high tolerance to urban disturbance. The confirmed presence of the Critically Endangered Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), along with the Greater mousedeer (Tragulus napu) and Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), highlights the ecological importance of this small forest patch. These results provide baseline data and demonstrate that small forest remnants, such as SFERA@UMS, remain vital refuges for wildlife in Kota Kinabalu.