Current view: Text account
Site description (2003 baseline):
Site location and context
(I) Physical CharacteristicsThe island lies east of Tawau, on the east coast of Sabah was formed during the Pliocene and Quaternary period (Wong, 1991).(II) Climatic ConditionsGenerally hot and dry throughout the year with calm seas during March-July and wet and rough from October onwards (WWFM, 1998).
Pulau Sipadan may be one of the islands utilized by the small-island pigeons such as the Grey Imperial-pigeon, considering its relatively small known range and the increasing scarcity of suitable islands that they can inhabit (Lambert, 1993). Small populations of the Near Threatened Megapode
Megapodius freycinet and resident Nicobar Pigeon
Caloenas nicobarica have also been recorded on the island (Smythies, 1999; Sheldon
et al., 2001)
Non-bird biodiversity: The land-based Robber Crab is indigenous to the island (Wong, 1991) and is listed as rare internationally (Wells et al., 1983). The coral reefs and marine life surrounding the island is well known for its rich diversity globally (Wood, 1987: Wong, 1991; Nichols and Stachels, 1999).(I) Globally threatened mammals (IUCN, 2002): None.(II) Globally threatened reptiles (IUCN, 2002): CRITICAL: Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata; ENDANGERED: Green Turtle Chelonia mydas
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
There is little disturbance to the vegetation on the island with the exception of a small area that was cleared for coconut planting at the beginning of this last century (Riley 1930, cited in Lambert, 1993). The Nicobar Pigeon has been reported to be extinct on Pulau Sipadan due to hunting (Wood
et al., 1987). Blast fishing may occur around its surrounding waters. Due to the increasing popularity of this dive spot, potential threats may arise from tourist development.
Pulau Sipadan was declared as a Bird Sanctuary in 1963.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sipadan islands (Malaysia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sipadan-islands-iba-malaysia on 23/12/2024.
