The Distribution of Nesting White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) in Penang National Park, Malaysia: Conservation and Management Issues - Nur Munira Azman,; Mohd Syafiq Masduqi Mohd Zainudin,; Shahrul Anuar Mohd Sah,; Nurul Salmi Abdul Latip, (Tropical Life Sciences Research, 2013)
Taman Negara Pulau Pinang (Penang National Park) is the only site on Pulau Pinang that supports a large population of the White-bellied Sea-eagle (WBSE) Haliaeetus leucogaster; however, the nesting sites of WBSEs have not been widely studied. As information on the location of WBSE nesting sites is very important for conservation works by local authorities, the objective of this study was to determine the distribution of nesting WBSEs in the coastal dipterocarp forest of Penang National Park. Surveys were conducted from December 2007 to July 2008 and October 2008 to April 2009, covering the breeding season of the species (September–July). The nesting sites were observed by boat along the coastline of Penang National Park and by performing ground surveys along the seashore at accessible areas; the nest survey was conducted three days/month from 0900 to 1500. A total of 34 WBSE nesting sites was located. Most of the occupied nests (seven nests) were found at Muka Head and Pantai Kerachut areas, which exhibit the densest concentration of occupied WBSE habitat in Penang National Park. WBSEs preferred to build their nests around Muka Head, which could be due to the frequent occurrence of whirlpools in the water body around that area. Aquatic animals, such as sea snakes and fish, stunned by the whirlpools would emerge to the sea surface, facilitating the foraging and feeding of WBSEs. Our results indicate that it is important to maintain and improve areas of suitable nesting habitat for WBSEs. Management actions should include (1) the yearly monitoring of known breeding sites throughout Penang National Park during the breeding season to determine breeding success over time, (2) recognising the critical habitat or nest-site selection of WBSEs, (3) establishment of a buffer zone surrounding nesting sites and potential habitat from human disturbance, and (4) encouraging on-going research to further understand this species. Taman Negara Pulau Pinang adalah satu-satunya kawasan di Pulau Pinang yang mempunyai populasi Helang Siput (WBSE) Haliaeetus leucogaster; bagaimanapun, tempat bersarang WBSE masih belum dikaji secara meluas. Informasi terhadap lokasi tempat bersarang WBSE adalah penting untuk kerja pemuliharaan oleh pihak berkuasa tempatan, objektif kajian ini ialah menentukan taburan tempat bersarang WBSE di hutan dipterokap pantai, Taman Negara Pulau Pinang. Tinjauan telah dijalankan daripada Disember 2007 hingga Julai 2008 dan Oktober 2008 hingga April 2009, meliputi musim membiak spesies ini (September–Julai). Tempat bersarang diperhatikan daripada sebuah bot dan tinjauan dijalankan disepanjang pinggir laut yang boleh dimasuki. Tinjauan tempat bersarang telah dijalankan selama tiga hari/sebulan daripada 0900 hingga 1500, dan tinjauan dikawasan laut Taman Negara Pulau Pinang telah dilakukan dengan menggunakan sebuah bot. Sejumlah 34 tempat sarang WBSE telah ditempatkan. Kebanyakan sarang yang diduduki (tujuh sarang) telah dijumpai di kawasan Muka Head dan Pantai Kerachut, yang menunjukkan konsentrasi kepadatan habitat yang tinggi yang diduduki oleh WBSE di Taman Negara Pulau Pinang. WBSE cenderong untuk membina sarangnya disekitar Muka Head, kerana kekerapan pusaran pada jasad air disekitar kawasan tersebut. Haiwan akuatik, seperti ular air dan ikan, dikejutkan oleh pusaran air yang timbul pada permukaan laut, dan ini membantu WBSE untuk memburu dan mendapatkan makanan. Ini adalah penting untuk mengekalkan dan meningkatkan kawasan yang sesuai untuk habitat membiak WBSE. Langkah pengurusan hendaklah termasuk (1) pantauan tahunan tempat bersarang di semua kawasan Taman Negara Pulau Pinang semasa musim membiak untuk menentukan kejayaan pembiakan per masa, (2) mengenalpasti habitat kritikal atau pemilihan tempat bersarang oleh WBSE, (3) penubuhan zon penampan sekitar tempat bersarang dan habitat yang berpotensi daripada gangguan manusia, dan (4) menggalakkan kajian berterusan untuk kefahaman lebih lanjut mengenai spesies ini.