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The Durrell Trust for Conservation Biology
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CV
PhD Title: Sun bears in human-dominated landscapes: Distribution, population trends and conflicts in Sumatra Supervisor (main): Professor Nigel Leader-Williams
Research Interests: Population and behavioural ecology Human-wildlife conflicts Conservation in human-dominated landscapes. The IUCN/SSC Bear Specialist Group has prioritised research on sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) as critical for bear conservation. Kerinci Seblat National Park (KSNP), Sumatra, is one of the last remaining strongholds for the endangered Malayan sun bear, but ongoing habitat loss, forest conversion, and increasing conflicts with people, suggests a bleak future for this forest dependant species. Few studies of conservation value have been conducted on this species. Consequently, this research aims to serve as an essential monitoring tool for future conser The Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) can be regarded as a largely neglected animal species with only a handful of researchers involved in their conservation. Very little is known of its status and conservation needs. As human populations expand and natural habitats shrink, people and animals increasingly come into conflict over living space and food. Although not yet scientifically proven, it is very likely that continued habitat loss and ongoing conflicts with people have led to a decrease in population numbers. Therefore, it is critical to gather information on their population trends, habitat requirements and associated threats before they become critically endangered. Habitat destruction and human-wildlife conflicts represent the most serious threats to sun bears. The reduction of habitat quality and agricultural encroachments has lead to an assumed decline in their populations. They are sometimes referred to as agricultural pests as they are often known to raid coconut and oil palm plantations for their fruit. Human-wildlife conflicts are also a result from forest loss in Sumatra regarding on the rampant illegal logging in the last decade. Little attention has been paid towards sun bears and usually their occurrence is only recorded as the list of other mammals that occur in other field studies. So far there is no long-term field study for Malayan sun bear in Sumatra and the data currently available is insufficient. It is imperative that more fieldwork is conducted to provide a clear view of their conservation status and future conservation plans. The design and implementation of the present study aims to generate more precise estimates of Malayan sun bear’s demographic parameters, which are some of the priority recommendations listed in the IUCN/SSC Bear Specialist Group sun bear action plan.
Study Site: Kerinci Seblat National Park
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vation assessment of the species, by investigating population trends and distribution of sun bear, patterns of human-bear conflicts, and to determine how bears (and other species) adapt to commercial landscapes.