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Investigators: Dr Susan M. Cheyne and Professor David W. Macdonald
Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, Oxford University
 
This project is a collaborative effort between the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford; the Orang-utan Tropical Peatland Project and the Centre for International Cooperation in Sustainable Management of Tropical Peatland, University of Palangka Raya, Indonesia.
For more information, visit the project’s blog.
The aims of the Sabangau Felid Project are to protect Indonesian Borneo’s resident wild cat species,
through the creation of a multi-disciplinary project, merging pioneering research, conservation awareness
and training. The tropical rainforests of Borneo are home to five species of wild cat: flat-headed cat
(Prionailurus planiceps), marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), leopard cat
(Prionailurus bengalensis) the endemic bay cat (Catopuma badia) and the enigmatic
clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi). These species are
all currently threatened, and four are now listed on the 2004 IUCN Red Data List as Endangered or Vulnerable.
This project is based in Indonesian Borneo in Sabangau National Park (SNP) and focuses on the felid guild
to draw international attention to the conservation of Borneo’s wild cats and their forest environment.
Information regarding the ecological requirements of these felids will be combined with the long-term
population and ecological data already being collected on both Asian apes (orang-utan Pongo pygmaeus
wurmbii and Bornean agile gibbon, Hylobates albibarbis) to enable the development of effective conservation
strategies to help ensure these species’ survival.
Project Objectives
To study the behavior and ecology
of the Bornean wild cats, with a focus on the clouded leopard, leopard cat, flat-headed cat and marbled cat
which are known to exist in the SNP. The study will also determine if the bay cat is also present in the SNP.
Using camera trapping the investigators will conduct the first field study of these five species of Bornean
wild cats in Indonesia.
To investigate the effects of habitat alteration on Bornean wild cats with a focus on the
area-specific threats of logging, fire and hunting. The project will compare cat ecology in both primary
and degraded secondary habitats, compromising three habitat-subtypes within SNP.
To increase awareness of the Bornean wild cats and their conservation needs, using the clouded
leopard as a flagship species. The project will produce wild cat specific education materials for use in an
established education program around SNP and will produce educational material for use by other conservation
projects operating in the area.
To train host country scientists/students in a range of ecological/behavioral field techniques.
l Local scientists and students will be trained in mammal field research techniques including animal trapping
and handling, the use of camera trapping and radio-tracking equipment, and associated data analysis
techniques.
To investigate threats to the Bornean wild cats from hunting and trade in Kalimantan which is a
potentially significant threat to the Bornean wild cats, yet little is known about the rate at which
hunting/trade occurs. Questionnaire surveys will be conducted throughout the towns and villages surrounding
the SNP (this work has already been pioneered for flying fox hunting).
 
Through pioneering scientific research the project will provide base-line data regarding the behavior and
ecology of the five felids, upon which informed conservation and management decisions can be based. The
project aims to answer such questions as: at what density are these animals found, how much space does a
viable population require, and how does habitat alteration affect the cats and is the bay cat present in
the SNP? These data will be used to produce a conservation plan, which will be distributed free of charge
to wildlife managers and other interested parties throughout Kalimantan and the rest of Indonesia. In
addition, conservation research training will be provided to host country scientists and students, and
improve awareness of the wild cats by running education workshops for local schools and tourists.
Study Area: Natural Laboratory for Peat Swamp Forest, Sabangau National Park,
Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo
The River Sabangau Catchment occupies an area of 5,780km2 of forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.
In October 2004 most of the catchment was designated a national park. The park was established to protect
one of the most important remaining populations of orangutan and represents a renewed commitment on the
part of the Indonesian government to protect this species. This project is being conducted in the NLPSF
in the northeast of the park. This site is owned and operated by the Centre for the International Cooperation
and Management in Tropical Peatlands (CIMTROP) based at the University of Palangka Raya. The NLPSF was
established in 1996, before which it was a logging concession camp and, as such, the surrounding research
area has been subject to high levels of past disturbance.
Location of Sabangau National Park
Detail of Natural Laboratory location
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