Current view: Text account
Site description (2003 baseline):
Site location and context
(I) Physical CharacteristicsPulau Kukup is located off the south-west tip of Johor State. The island is covered by mature mangrove forest, accreting towards the west and north-west, eroding in the south-east, and is a particularly good example of unexploited mangrove forest. Large mudflats are located to the north-west whereas severely degraded coastal mangroves (less than 500 m wide) are bunded on the landward side (DWNP, 1987; Junkov, 1999; Hawkins and Howes, 1986). (II) Climatic ConditionsPulau Kukup experiences a humid tropical climate with annual showers from both the NE and SW monsoons. The annual rainfall average ranges from 2,000 - 2,500 mm with an even distribution throughout the year (WIMP, 1999). Temperature ranges from 24.5
oC to 26.5
oC annually (IKAS, n.d.). The island experiences semi-diurnal tidal exposure of two high tides and low tides in a day (WIMP, 1999).
Pulau Kukup is an important feeding ground for the Lesser Adjutants and migratory shorebirds (5 species) (Noramly, 1998). The mangroves around the Kukup area are refuges for several globally Near Threatened species such as the Long-tailed Parakeet
Psittacula longicauda, Chestnut-bellied Malkoha
Phaenicophaeus sumatranus, White-chested Babbler
Trichastoma rostratum and Mangrove Pitta
Pitta megarhyncha (Anon., 1992).
Non-bird biodiversity: Unidentified dolphins have been seen using the channel between island and mainland. (I) Globally threatened mammals (IUCN, 2002): VULNERABLE: Smooth Otter Lutrogale perspicillata, NEAR THREATENED: Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis(II) Globally threatened reptiles (IUCN, 2002): None.(III) Globally threatened plants (IUCN, 2002): None.
Mangrove and mudflats
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Reclamation, loss of nesting site, waterbird hunting, illegal mangrove removal, pesticide/chemical pollution, industrial pollution, infrastructure development, oil slicks, aquaculture pollution, erosion.
Pulau Kukup State Park has been nominated as a Ramsar Site together with Tanjung Piai State Park and Sungai Pulai Mangrove Forest Reserve (WIMP, 1999, 2001). The area has also been recognized as having ecotourism potential (MOCAT, 1997).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: South-west Johor coast (Malaysia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/south-west-johor-coast-iba-malaysia on 23/11/2024.
