Land Use Effect on Milky Stork Habitat Selection in Matang Forest Reserve, Perak

Abstract

The global Milky Stork population has undergone a rapid population decline with a current estimated population of 5500 individuals remaining worldwide. In Malaysia, Milky Stork populations have declined more than 90% over the last 20 years and less than fiveindividuals being observed recently in Pulau Kelumpang and Pulau Trong, the last known Milky Stork habitats in the Matang Forest Reserve. GIS application is used to analyse the habitat selection of Milky Stork in the study area. 16 different stations havebeen choosing in this research and a three-parameter has been set which is land use, vegetation and food availability. From the results, the highest density of Milky Stork that can be found is at Pulau Gula and the lowest density of Milky Stork is at Pulau Kelumpang which is only 1 individual who was spotted. The result from this study also shows these birds are most likely to be found in the disturbed area especially aquaculture activity. This aquaculture activity has provided them with easy access to the food source. Research finding has shown that since the captive breeding birds program implemented by the Department of wildlife and National Park (DWNP), they are most likely has lost their ability to foraging food in the wild. Some of the staff in the DWNP Pulau Gula branch said that when it was rainy days, this bird will come to their building asking for food. The results also show that environmental factor like vegetation, food and climate does not have any effects on the density of Milky Stork. This situation is very contrary to previous studies that show these birds can get their food natural habitat.