Thewildlife of Brunei is one of its primary attractions. Tropicalevergreenrainforest makes up the majority of the country's natural vegetation. 81% of the land is covered by forests, with 59% beingprimary forests and 22% beingsecondary forests and plantations. With an estimated 2,000 species of trees, Brunei is home to an estimated 15,000 species ofvascular plants. Brunei's mammal and bird populations are comparable to those ofSumatra, theMalaysian Peninsula, andBorneo as a whole.[1]
As far as Asian countries go, Brunei was the first to banshark finning. Dog beating andwildlife trafficking are Brunei's two most urgentanimal law concerns. Like many other Asian nations, the nation has some animal-related legislation, but enforcement is lax.[2]
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A wide variety of wildlife can be found in Brunei's forests, including 500 species ofmarine fish andinvertebrates, 622 species of birds,[3] 121 species of mammals, 182 species ofamphibians andreptiles, and some native species like theNycticebus borneanus,Bronchocela cristatella,Bornean sun bear, andPelobatrachus nasutus.[4]Proboscis monkeys andground squirrels areendemic to Brunei. The nation is home to two species ofcrocodiles: thefalse gharial and theestuary crocodile. The varied range offreshwater crocodiles are found in Brunei's small torrentialstreams, estuaries with highlyacidic environments, andalkaline waters.[1]
In Brunei, several mammal species, including theAsian elephant,banteng,long-footed treeshrew,orangutan, andotter civet, are classified ascritically endangered orendangered, while thebay cat,clouded leopard,dugong,flat-headed cat,smooth-coated otter,marbled cat,pig-tailed macaque, andproboscis monkey are listed asvulnerable, according to the 2004IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.[5]
The rainforest of Brunei is a habitat to numeroushornbills,barbets,sunbirds,spiderhunters,leafbirds,trogons, and floor-dwelling species includingpheasants,pittas, andwren-babblers. The riverine and coastal habitats, which comprisefreshwater marshes and mangroves are significant locations. Birds are numerous on the hillsides of Brunei, which border theMalaysianstate of Sarawak. But accessing some of these regions can be difficult, particularly during themonsoon season.[3]
One of the oldest rainforests in the world,Temburong is home to rainforests that date back more than 150 million years. Many plant and animal species, some of which are unique to Brunei and Borneo, can be found in abundance in the woodlands. Of the country's total land area, 72% is covered by forest, and 41% is legally protected.[4] Over 70% of Brunei is made up of lush, verdant jungles that have been kept out of human grasp.[6][7]
The greatest remaining intactmangroves in northern Borneo are found in the coastal mangroves. InBrunei Bay, they make up one of the biggest areas of comparatively untouched mangroves ineastern Asia, along with those in nearby nations. Although less so than in other nations in the region, mangroves are used for a variety of purposes. With more than 50% livecoral cover, the 45 square kilometres (17 sq mi)coral reef along the coast is most famous for the rare co-occurrence of a very distinctive suite ofhard andsoft corals andgorgonian sea fans.[1]
Brunei boasts 400 species of reef-building coral, with the majority of its peatswamp forests situated along theBelait Riverbasin in the west and seasonally flooded areas in the middle reaches of theTutong River, all maintaining nearly perfect conditions. The limitedexploitation of these forests is attributed to the population residing along the shore and the predominant role ofhydrocarbonfossil fuels in the nation's development andeconomy;clear-cutting is prohibited, andtimber exportation is not allowed, while the Forestry Department strictly regulates wood harvest for domestic use.[1]
Ecosystem threats in the country includesland development, pollution, encroachment,climate change andinvasive species. Meanwhile threats to the species includespoaching, collection and invasive alien species. These risks are fuelled by a number of factors, including economic expansion, the desire for products and services, the demand forexotic meat,traditional andherbal medicines, wild ornamental plants, and tourism in pristine places. These have resulted in theloss of species,habitat,ecosystem fragmentation,inland water pollution, and ecological benefits. There are also new dangers to biodiversity, such climate change.[1] Numerous species are obtained to provide the global demand for meat, pets, luxury goods, medicines, and zoos.[8]
Forest reserves comprise all designatedprotected areas. The principal habitat categories are generally well-represented within the protected areas system, with the exception of swamp forest habitats. As of right now, Brunei's forest reserves are managed using sustainable management techniques in accordance with the ideas for forest development andconservation presented in the Strategic Plan for Forestry. Organisations (such asgovernment ministries,NGOs, andhigher education institutions) have undertaken initiatives to advance collaboration and exchange programs for biodiversity education and awareness raising. These initiatives include the organisation ofseminars and conferences aimed at exchanging knowledge and expertise on biodiversity research and management, among other topics.[1]
Fieldgene banks andarboretums are repositories ofagricultural biodiversity and rice varieties. As part of the gene banks' efforts, the community was also given free seedlings of native fruit species. The Brunei National Herbarium has the only specimens of the country's flora. As part of its yearly conservation program, the Forestry Department of thegovernment of Brunei plants trees. In only one year, the government pledged to plant 60,000 trees around the nation. Projects like this one that restore biodiversity are allotted land, and as part of the project, free seedlings were distributed to the local population.[1]
An NGO called Brunei Biodiversity & Natural History Society (BruWILD) is dedicated to preserving biodiversity by action and education.[9] Through its rescue operations and educational initiatives, BruWILD significantly contributed to the preservation of Brunei's wildlife and increased public understanding of the value of environmental sustainability. To commemorateWorld Environment Day in June 2017, theHigh Commission for Canada collaborated with BruWILD and the Collective.[10]
To provide training forwildlife rescue and rehabilitation in Brunei, theInternational Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) and BruWILD have partnered. 30 participants, including members of BruWILD, the Wildlife Division (Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism),Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), andInternational School Brunei (ISB), will be taught courses by IWRC instructors during their 25–30 July 2016 trip to Brunei. The courses would be held in the Faculty of Science laboratories at UBD.[10]
Temburong is renowned for its varied animals, waterfalls, and primary forests. One of Southeast Asia's best-preserved rainforests,Ulu Temburong National Park, is located in this area, alongside acavern network in theBatu Apoi Forest Reserve.[11]
TheChina State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) completed theSultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge (Temburong Bridge) project inside the ruralTemburong District that is primarily unoccupied and covered in virgin forest. Situated in the centre of the district, the easternmost region of Brunei, which is home to endemic fauna and indigenous vegetation, the company had to move forward with the megaproject while taking care to ensure that the natural landscape was damaged as little as possible. Additionally, workers have been told to record any wildlife encounters they may come across. Furthermore,eco-friendly practices are promoted, and trainings and inspections were carried out to guarantee that the flora and fauna are not affected.[12]
The Wild Fauna and Flora Order 2007 provides for the implementation of the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Convention in Brunei, as well as procedures and requirements for obtaining permits and certificates to trade in, export, or import any species listed in the convention's appendices. Wild Life Protection 1984 provides for the protection of wildlife by limitinghunting seasons, animal age ranges, and hunting tactics, as well as establishingwildlife sanctuaries even within protected or reserved forests. The game officer shall have responsibility over and supervise compliance with the current act.[13]
