Release Of Captive-Bred Sambar (Rusa Unicolor) And Their Post-Release Survival Rates In Peninsular Malaysia

In the past two decades, extensive habitat loss and poaching have decimated Peninsular Malaysia’s sambar (Rusa unicolor) populations. This has also resulted in a significant loss of prey-biomass for large carnivores such as the Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni). To alleviate the effects of drastic sambar (Rusa unicolor) population declines, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Malaysia, conducted several sambar release programmes from two Wildlife Conservation Centres since 2014. Between 2014 and 2020, a total of 86 individuals of sambar were released from two Wildlife Conservation Centre (i.e. Gua Musang [33 individuals]; Sungkai [53 individuals]) into five forests with different levels of protection: Taman Negara Pahang; Amanjaya Forest Reserve, Perak; Tembat Forest Reserve, Terengganu; Taman Negara Terengganu, Terengganu; and Gunung Basor Forest Reserve, Kelantan. Post-release survival rates were monitored for one year to determine success rates using a combination of transects and direct observations around the release site, camera-trap surveys, and radio/satellite telemetry tracking. Our post-release monitoring results indicated that 57-75% of sambar released in Taman Negara Pahang Sungai Relau (a totally protected area) survived successfully for up to one year. In contrast, a group of sambar released in Tembat Forest Reserve (a production forest reserve) showed 0% survival within a similar duration of post-release monitoring, where 70% of the animals were suspected to be killed by poachers. Our results show that survival rates of released sambar are relatively higher in totally protected forests. Hence future releases of sambar were recommended in totally protected areas or in forest reserves under increased security to improve success rates. Ultimately, successful adaptation and survival of released captive-bred sambar is vital for the establishment of healthy, self-sustaining and reproductive populations in Peninsular Malaysia.