Target 9 in the National Policy on Biological Diversity elaborates on the prevention of known threatened species extinction, and their conservation status needs to be improved by 2025. Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) is a comprehensive approach to conserving globally threatened species, including herpetofauna and their habitats. A site must meet the thresholds for at least one criterion to qualify as Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). This paper aims to demonstrate threatened herpetofauna information in Perak based on published literature according to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classification. A total of 34 papers were accessed starting from 1977 until 2022. Of these, 14 threatened herpetofauna species were identified: Nanohyla annectens, Cyrtodactylus guakanthanensis, Cyrtodactylus jarakensis, Heosemys grandis, Batagur affinis, Manouria emys, Manouria impressa, Pelochelys cantorii, Cuora amboinensis, Heosemys spinosa, Siebenrockiella crassicollis, Amyda cartilaginea, Pseudocalotes larutensis, and Larutia larutensis. There was only 1.9% (1sp), and 11.4% (13spp) of the total number (166spp) of amphibians (52spp) and reptiles (114spp) were published, respectively. However, coordinates of the exact locations must be gathered to ensure spatial and temporal information can be developed to locate the habitat of threatened species. In short, studies on herpetofauna in Perak is still in need. At least, from this assessment, another step towards identifying KBA in Perak has been initiated and must be continued.

Small vertebrate assessments were conducted in Pahang’s three forest reserves: Tanum, Sungai Yu and Ulu Jelai. The Central Forest Spine (CFS) initiative has identified these forest reserves as CFSI PL1. The assessments were carried out from July until August 2019. This study aims to determine species diversity and update the checklist of small vertebrates in the forest reserves. A 1ha plot was established in each forest reserve for this study. Traps were used to capture and document these vertebrates, including 100 collapsible cage traps, three harp traps, 10 mist nets, and 25 pitfall traps deployed at each sampling site. In addition, the surveys also carried out active searches for herpetofauna and direct observations. Overall, this study recorded 102 species from 35 families of small vertebrates. Of these, small mammals (26 spp. from eight families), birds (56 spp. from 17 families) and herpetofauna (20 spp. from 10 families) were recorded during this study. Tanum FR recorded the highest species diversity of small mammals (H’ value=2.745). Ulu Jelai FR has the highest diversity of birds (H’ value=3.366), and Sungai Yu FR has the highest diversity of herpetofauna (H’ value=2.313). Eleven small mammal species are recorded as new distributional records for the forest reserves. As for birds, this study contributes 25 additional species to the previous checklist of birds in PL1. Compilation of the studies also recorded 22 threatened species of vertebrates in PL1. This information is expected to assist the stakeholders in developing a management plan for the forest mosaics in the corridor to serve as an important habitat for small vertebrates continuously.

Oil palm plantations might possess lower species composition compared to forest or riparian areas. Therefore, this assessment is carried out at Sime Darby Tangkah Estate to assess small vertebrates’ composition adjacent to Gunung Ledang National Park. This survey was carried out at two sites: Plot 05A and Plot 18A, from 22nd to 25th October 2019. A transect line of 400 meters was set up at each plot for active trappings, with a total of 20 cage traps, 20 Sherman traps, five mist nets, and one harp trap were deployed. All trapped animals were identified, measured, photographed and released after being examined. Observations were also carried out using Binoculars. Based on this survey in plot 05A, eight species from five families of mammals and seven species from four families of birds were recorded. While in plot 18A, a total of 12 species from six families of mammals and seven species from seven families of birds were documented. Moreover, a total of 17 species of birds was observed during the survey. Oil palm may function as one of the forest buffers, requiring further monitoring and enforcement to prevent poaching and hunting of these resources.