Our Work
At Danau Girang, we are proud of our diverse portfolio of work that has grown from strength to strength over the years. From the early years of carrying out research and organising field courses, our current work encompasses a broader range of activities in tandem with the progress of wildlife conservation as set out in the Sabah State Action Plans.
Research
Using advanced technologies, research at the field centre aims to determine the landscape-level requirements critical for the viable persistence of multiple tropical species in a highly fragmented landscape. We also study population genetics, disease, toxicology, animal behaviour and classic ecology.
Over the years, our research has resulted in 200+ publications, including peer-reviewed, State Action Plans, and general publications. The list can be viewed/accessed here:
Conservation
OUR PROJECTS
Reducing negative impacts on elephants from the construction of the Pan-Borneo Highway in Sabah
Assessing and mitigating the impacts of the Pan Borneo Highway on Bornean elephants in Sabah by collecting and analyzing movement data through radio-collaring, camera traps, and field observations, with the goal of informing evidence-based conservation strategies and promoting elephant-safe infrastructure development.
Regrow Borneo: Research-led Reforestation, Conservation, and Carbon Sequestration
Evaluating the Impact of Forest Restoration in the Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Home ranging, movement and activity patterns of leopard cats in the Kinabatangan floodplain
Home ranging, movement and activity patterns of leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) and flat-headed cats (Prionailurus planiceps) cohabiting an oil palm-dominated landscape in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.
Role of pangolins in the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses in humans
Identifying the viral diversity of wild Sunda pangolins, as well as its sympatric wildlife, which might be the reservoir or intermediate hosts for the viruses associated with wild Sunda pangolins.
Human activities and its impact on the vulnerability of the Bornean banteng (Bos javanicus) in eastern Sabah
Investigating the impact of disease transmission and hybridisation as a contributor to the banteng’s declining population in Sabah.
Protect
DGFC has partnered with the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) since 2020 to support the effective implementation of the state action plans for wildlife. The multi-year INL Project funded by a U.S. Department of State grant (2020-2024) aims to boost the enforcement and forensic capacity of SWD in deterring wildlife trade. DGFC works closely with the department in establishing new units within its enforcement division and equipping enforcement agencies with skills and knowledge training to combat wildlife crime.
Sabah’s Harmonized Intelligence, Enforcement, and Legal Defence Against Wildlife Crimes (SHIELD)
Grant period: October 2024 to September 2026
Building on the success of DGFC’s multi-year enforcement project (2019 – 2024), funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to boost enforcement and forensic capacity to deter wildlife crimes in Sabah, DGFC were awarded a further grant from INL.
SHIELD is the next phase of DGFC’s enforcement strategy that will unite DGFC, Sabah Wildlife Department, WWF Malaysia (Sabah), Justice for Wildlife Malaysia and TRACE (Wildlife Forensics Network), with an allocation of $1.5 million (RM6.9 million). This collaborative project aims to strengthen governance and training; further improve prosecution processes; streamline the flow of critical information between agencies; address legal gaps; raise awareness of digital crimes linked to wildlife offenses and boost cross boundary interagency collaboration.
Rapid Response Teams (RRT)
Grant Period: July 2022-December 2025
This 3-year project is a joint partnership between the Sabah Wildlife Department, DGFC, and Yayasan Sime Darby, which aims to increase the capacity and effectiveness of SWD in rapidly responding to wildlife poaching, trafficking and illegal wildlife trade in Sabah.
The project’s total funding of RM3.8 million is channelled from Yayasan Sime Darby, with an additional matching fund of RM250,00 from the Ministry of Finance, Malaysia.
Three teams of highly-trained wildlife rangers are strategically set up in Kinabatangan (Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary), Tabin (Tabin Wildlife Reserve) and Kota Kinabalu HQ (including West Coast) to carry out active on-the-ground patrolling in identified hot spots within sanctuary and wildlife reserve and its borders, and to support the district wildlife offices in their enforcement activities. Using specialised apps, the rangers also collect and ground data to compile a database that is used and shared for effective strategic planning at the department level.
Educate
Our education team actively promotes awareness of wildlife conservation in Sabah through the delivery of educational programmes in schools and the organising of public events in collaboration with other agencies and organisations. Regular events include participation in outreach and school holiday programmes, and supporting wildlife calendar events.
