Wildlife of Malaysia

Most of the country is covered in rainforest, which hosts a huge diversity of plant and animal species.

Its large marine territory also holds a great diversity of life, with the country's coastal waters comprising part of the Coral Triangle.

Malaysia is estimated to contain 20% of the world's animal species, and includes some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet.

[1] Fruit bats are also found throughout the country, with a high concentration in the Mulu Caves.

Monitor lizards, almost 2 metres (7 ft) in length, are found in both halves of the country.

[4] Freshwater fish include the rare Asian arawana, along with marbled goby, harlequins, and tiger barbs.

[1] Lowland forest occurs below 760 metres (2,493 ft),[9] and formerly East Malaysia was covered in such rainforest,[10] which is supported by its hot wet climate.

[4] Besides rainforests, there are over 1,425 square kilometres (550 sq mi) of mangroves in Malaysia,[9] and a large amount of peat forest.

Coastal land of the peninsula is fringed by mangroves, which cause sediment build up resulting in peat bogs.

The peat forests of coastal Malaysia provide an important habitat for waterbirds and fish.

[2] These forests host many members of the genus Rafflesia, the largest flowers in the world,[10] with a maximum diameter of 1 metre (3 ft).

In 1990, a stand of trees showed promise to be able to be used to stop the spread of a strain of human immunodeficiency virus, but was cut down before more samples could be taken.

[13] Malaysia's exclusive economic zone is 1.5 times larger than its land area,[14] and some of its waters are in the Coral Triangle, a biodiversity hotspot.

[1] With Malaysia's wildlife being some of the most diverse on earth,[2] and it being a megadiverse country,[17] the Malaysian government is interested in protecting it.

The government aims to balance economic growth with environmental protection, but has been accused of favouring "big business" over the environment.

[10] Logging and cultivation practices have devastated tree cover, causing severe environmental degradation in the country.

[2] Floods in East Malaysia have been worsened by the loss of trees, and over 60% of the peninsula's forest has been cleared.

[20] Deforestation is a major problem for fauna such as tigers, as the forest is cut to make room for plantations,[21] mostly for palm oil and other cash crops.

[4] Animals such as the Asian elephant have been forced out of their habitat due to its loss, often leading them to starve.

[5] Once so common that complaints existed of them trampling people's gardens,[1] Sumatran rhinoceroses became extinct in Malaysia in 2019.

[5] Turtle eggs are considered an aphrodisiac and remain a local delicacy, selling for around USD12 for 10.

[25] Climate change has reduced the number of male turtles being born in Peninsular Malaysia, perhaps to zero.

[26] Overconsumption and the use of animal parts for profit has also endangered marine life,[16] as well as tigers, whose meat can be found in restaurants in Kuala Lumpur.

Pollution has continued to increase, and punishment for violations has been limited in comparison to other crimes.

[4] The Malaysian government is also trying to preserve marine life, creating a joint project with Indonesia and the Philippines to look after the Sulu Sea,[16] as well as limiting tourism in areas such as Sipadan Island.

[4] To counter coastal erosion, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has installed artificial reefs around the country's shores.