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 The proposed study is designed to understand the impacts of
selective logging in tropical forests on two sympatric omnivore
species- Malayan sun bears and bearded pigs. Both species are
forest dependent and fill a similar niche at ground level, being
omnivores and having roles in seed dispersal and soil disturbance.
Logging in Southeast Asia is resulting in the conversion of tropical
rainforests into secondary forest communities and the fragmentation
of vital habitat for sun bears, bearded pigs and other wildlife.
While human activities such as logging are certainly assumed
a threat to wildlife habitat in the region, the direct and
indirect effects of timber harvest on sun bears and bearded pigs
are not known. This project seeks to identify critical resources
for the survival of these species in logged regions. In this
study, animal densities, seasonality of food abundance, food
habits and physical condition will be compared for both sun bears
and pigs in logged and primary forests. Fruit tree phenology,
fruit production and relative levels of invertebrate prey will
also be documented.
The proposed study will be conducted at the Ulu Segama Forest
Reserve in eastern Sabah on the island of Borneo. The reserve
encompasses both selectively logged forest and primary forest.
Since the remaining forests in Borneo will likely be converted
to logged forests, it is important to understand the specific
impact of this disruption to the region’s wildlife. The
information gathered will aid in establishing conservation strategies,
wildlife management and forestry practices that balance the plans
to utilize the rainforests for human interests and the needs
of the resident wildlife.
The Minnesota Zoo’s Ulysses S. Seal Conservation Grant Program awarded “The
Effects of Selective Logging on Malayan Sun Bears and Bearded
Pigs in Lowland Tropical Rainforests of Borneo” $2300 in
2005 for its efforts to determine conservation concerns and management
strategies for Malayan sun bears and bearded pigs in Borneo.
Staff champions for this project are Christine McKnight and Larry
Vorwerk, Tropics Zookeepers.
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