Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve
Location:
5°47'-5°52'N, 117°55'-118°03'E; about 24 km west of Sandakan on the east coast of Sabah, with the southern boundary on the coast.
Area:
4,295 ha, including Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre and Sepilok Mangrove Forest (1,235 ha).
Altitude:
Sea level to 180m.
Biogeographical Province:
4.25.12.
Wetland type:
06, 07 & 11.
Description of site:
An area of flat, alluvial and slightly undulating country, with mangrove swamps, lowland dipterocarp forest, sandstone hill dipterocarp forest and kerangas forest. Red-yellow podzolic soils are widespread and occur in association with lithosols on the steepest slopes. Sandstone ridges are a dominant feature. Seven small rivers flow within the reserve, and are fed by local rainfall. Low-lying areas of forest flood during periods of heavy rainfall. Tidal areas are brackish. The median tidal range at Sandakan is 1 .5m.
Climatic conditions:
Humid tropical climate with an average annual rainfall of about 3,000 mm. The heaviest rains occur in December and January, the rainfall being largely influenced by northeast winds which generally blow between November and mid February. The mean temperature is about 30°C.
Principal vegetation:
Rhizophoraceae are well represented, including Bruguiera spp, two species of Rhizophora and Kandelia candel. The mangrove forests to the south are part of the Elopura Forest Reserve, which is dominated by Rhizophora mucronata, R. apiculata, Ceriops tagal and Lumnitzera littorea. Bruguiera gymnorhiza occurs in dense stands. This merges with a transitional zone to lowland dipterocarp forest characterized by the presence of a large number of Dipterocarpaceae. The vegetation of surrounding areas is mainly lowland dipterocarp forest with genera such as Shorea, Parashorea and Dryobalanops, sandstone hill dipterocarp forest and kerangas forest with species of Tristania, Shorea and lxonanthes. Almost 40% of the known flora of Dipterocarpaceae in Sabah have been recorded in Sepilok Forest Reserve.
Land tenure:
The reserve is state owned; surrounding areas are privately owned.
Conservation measures taken:
Protected in the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve (4,295 ha), a Class VI Virgin Jungle Reserve gazetted in 1930. Mangrove forest to the south is included in the Elopura Forest Reserve (24,674 ha). The Kabili-Sepilok Reserve is currently safe from timber exploitation, but can be given out for logging by the Conservator of Forests. It is managed by the Research Branch of the Sabah Forest Department. There has been no legal logging since 1967. An Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre has been in operation in the Reserve since 1964 and a Forestry Research Centre, Forestry Training School and Nature Education Centre are located near the Reserve.
Conservation measures proposed:
Proposals for new visitor accommodation are currently under consideration.
Land use:
Tourism, conservation education, biological research and training in forestry; cultivation in adjacent areas.
Possible Changes in Land use:
No information.
Disturbances and threats:
Parts of the Reserve were selectively logged between 1910 and 1967, and there has been some illegal logging since then. Illegal poaching is minimal.
Economic and social values:
A very valuable area for conservation education, tourism, biological research and training in forestry. The area is well known in Sabah for its rich wildlife, and the flora is well documented.
Fauna:
The fauna is typical of Bornean lowland dipterocarp forest and coastal mangroves. Waterfowl include the Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster and Storm's Stork Ciconia stormi, both uncommon residents. Seven species of kingfisher (Alcedinidae) have been recorded. The rich passerine fauna includes several mangrove specialists such as Cyornis rufigaster and Pachycephala cinerea. Dolphins Sousa spp frequent the rivers, and Dugongs Dugong dugon are occasionally reported. Other mammals include the Orang-utan Pongo pygmaeus, Proboscis Monkey Nasalis larvatus, Macaca nemestrina, Presbytis cristatus, P. rubicunda, Hylobates muelleri and Sus barbatus. The forest supports a rich and diverse butterfly fauna.
Special floral values:
The Reserve provides a good example of mangrove grading through to lowland primary dipterocarp forest.
Research and facilities:
A considerable amount of silvicultural research has been carried out, and many research plots have been established by the Forest Department, some dating back to 1936. There have been several studies of Orang-utan behaviour, and a rehabilitation experiment for the release of illegally captured animals has been in progress since 1964. There is an on-going study of the Red Leaf Monkey Presbytis rubicunda. An animal clinic has been set up at the Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre, with laboratory and staff quarters. A trail system, including a self-guiding nature trail, is open to the public. There is a Nature Education Centre with reference library and programmes of lectures, audio-visual presentations and tours. There is also a Forestry Research Centre and Forestry Training School.
References:
De Silva (1976); Fox (1973); Francis (undated); IUCN (in prep); Khoo (1979); MacKinnon (1981).
Criteria for Inclusion:
1b, 2a, 2b, 2c.
Source:
J. Payne.