Organisation: Universiti Malaysia Terengganu Species: Cameron Highlands Sticky Frog Kalophrynus yongi, Small Litter Frog Leptobrachella kecil, Temiah Rock Gecko Cnemaspis temiah, Malaya False Bloodsucker Pseudocalotes flavigula, Rhaegal’s False Garden Lizard Pseudocalotes rhaegal Project title: Preliminary study into the ecologies and conservation of five critically endangered frog and lizard species endemic to the Cameron Highlands cloud forest of Peninsular Malaysia
Location: Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Project date: February 2021 – January 2022
The challenge
Cloud forests such as at Cameron Highlands in Peninsular Malaysia are important for biodiversity, supporting high levels of endemism. However, they are increasingly threatened by land-use changes and climate change. In addition, chemical pesticide use is high in the agricultural sector and run-off could be affecting amphibians and riparian reptiles.
Many montane amphibians and reptiles of Malaysia are found in the habitat of Cameron Highland’s cloud forest, including five Critically Endangered ASAP species. Little is known about these five species of frog and lizard in terms of their population numbers and distribution, which hinders conservation efforts.
The project
The primary goal of the project is to assess the distribution, population densities and threats towards the five species of frog and lizard. This data will be used to lobby for more effective local habitat protection.
“By learning more about these five little known species of frogs and lizards and protecting them, we also conserve the countless number of plants and animals that share their habitats, many of which are endemic as well.”
Evan S.H. Quah, Associate Professor, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Project reports
Project reports will be added here