FINAL VERSION FOR APPROVAL - Sdn Bhd - WWF Malaysia

Gunung Stong State Park Preliminary Management Plan
montane forests. The results of this survey were combined with that from a bird survey
conducted by during the 2003 scientific expedition to GSSP (Shahrul Anuar et al., 2005) and
the camera-trapping survey by Ahmad Zafir et al. (2005) to produce a preliminary checklist
of birds for GSSP (Appendix 8).
In summary, a total of 130 bird species have so far been recorded at GSSP. This is not
particularly high but there is no doubt that many more birds can be added to the preliminary
checklist as more surveys are conducted. Eighty-three species of birds are Totally Protected
under the Protection of Wild Life Act 1972 while three others are accorded Protected status.
Of the 130 species of birds, twenty are considered to be “Lower Risk/Near-Threatened
Species” and two “Vulnerable” by the IUCN. Montane species recorded at GSSP include the
mountain fulvetta (Alcipe peracensis) and streaked spiderhunter (Arachnothera magna).
The highest concentration of birds recorded was at the Benta Plateau, a relatively flat,
plateau-like area (500-700m asl), just after the turning from the Sg. Rantai, along the main
trail to G. Stong.
A phenomenon observed at GSSP is that five species of lowland birds were found at altitudes
higher than their normal range, perhaps suggesting the effects of compression due to habitat
change: as their natural habitats shrink due to land conversion, they had to range at higher
altitudes for their food needs (Chong, 2005).
Photo 3.5: Mountain Fulvetta
WWF-Malaysia/ Chew Yen Fook
39