Current view: Text account
Site description (2003 baseline):
Site location and context
Located on the Mangkalihat peninsula on the border between Kabupaten Kutai and Kabupaten Berau. Karst mountains in this area are very spectacular, lowland limestone plains from Semenanjung Sangkulirang is a representative of the unique habitat of Sundaic region. Conservation action for this area is really needed. Caves with evidence of prehistoric human activities can be faond in this area. MacKinnon (1997) considere that this area need to considered as globally conservation priority.
It probably support sub-alpine birds species rather than lowland species. Great Argus
Argusianus argus is a common species, as well as Moustached Hawk-cuckoo
Cuculus vagans, Hodgson's Hawk-cuckoo
Cuculus fugax, Gould's Bronze-cuckoo
Chrysococcyx russatus. As for highland species, there are Helmeted Hornbill
Rhinoplax vigil, Gold-whiskered Barbet
Megalaima chrysopogon (if there is no Red-crowned Barbet
Megalaima rafflesii) and White-necked Babbler
Stachyris leucotis - all species are slope specialist bird in Kalimantan (different in Sumatra).
Non-bird biodiversity: Pongo pygmeus, Hylobathes muelleri, Nasalis larvatus, Presbytis rubicunda, Presbytis hosei, Presbytis frontata, Neofelis nebulosa, Bos javanicus, Helarctos malayanus, Crocodylus porosus (MacKinnon et.al.1996).
Condition of the habitat is unknown, but might be 50% of the area is still forested. The other area probably already cleared for oil palm plantation, logging or for transmigration area.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Forest clearence and forest resources exploitation, landslide and forest fires in dry season.
Kelompok Hutan Kapur Sangkulirang Nature Reserve (200000 ha) (Anon 1995) is included in this area.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sangkulirang (Indonesia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sangkulirang-iba-indonesia on 23/12/2024.
