Camera trapping survey of vertebrates in Lipis Geopark, Pahang, Malaysia with notes on cave utilisation by mainland clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

Lipis Geopark, a recently designated National Geopark in Pahang, is geologically rich in limestone karst formations centred in Merapoh. Its north-eastern region comprises a portion of the Taman Negara Pahang, with an entry point at Sungai Relau, Merapoh. However, research conducted in the area is highly concentrated in the forested regions inside Taman Negara Pahang, with minimal studies assessing vertebrate diversity outside the protected National Park. Thus, this study compiled data on the diversity of vertebrates in Lipis Geopark, comparing two distinct habitats: the caves of Merapoh and the Taman Negara Pahang buffer zones. A total of 20 camera traps were installed at: (1) Site A, Merapoh cave complex and (2) Site B, forested buffer zones of Taman Negara Pahang. For about 1,100 camera trap nights of 55 days, up to 30 species comprising reptiles, aves and mammals were photo-captured from 288 independent occasions. Altogether, 7,755 photo images were captured, and only 52.174% were identified as wildlife images. The remaining images were excluded from the data analysis. It was observed that the Eurasian wild pig ( Sus scrofa ) is the most photographed species with the highest PCRI (Photographic Capture Rate Index) value of 14.000 and Site A exhibited greater species evenness and diversity compared to Site B, despite recording fewer total individuals. Additionally, a notable documentation of a mainland clouded leopard ( Neofelis nebulosa ), a Vulnerable species, utilising a cave in Merapoh has been recorded – representing a rare and possibly novel behaviour in Peninsular Malaysia. Thus, these findings highlight the ecological importance of karst caves and surrounding forests in Lipis Geopark, underscoring the urgent need for expanded biodiversity assessments and integrated conservation strategies within and beyond protected area boundaries.