The Asian pit viper keeps rodent populations in urban areas in check.
The name “Kuala Lumpur” alone conjures up many images – the iconic Petronas Twin Towers glistening in the night skyline, the cloud-piercing Merdeka 118, now the second tallest building on the planet, or the bustling shopping haven of Bukit Bintang decked in neon lights.
The smells and sights of the street food vendors are sure to tantalise tastebuds at almost every corner.
But many visitors and residents are unaware of the biodiversity that can still be found in this sprawling urban jungle.
The Selangor Silver Leaf Monkey (Baby) can still be sighted in smaller forests in and around the city.The Greater Klang Valley, which contains the city of Kuala Lumpur, stretches from the majestic Titiwangsa foothills to the swampy mangrove shorelines of the Straits of Malacca.
Despite the rapid concrete expansion, an amazing diversity of non-human life forms can still be found in this area.
This natural heritage at our very doorstep needs our urgent attention to be conserved as it plays a vital role in the balance of the ecosystem.
Contrary to popular belief, Kuala Lumpur’s urban environment harbours a remarkable wealth of wildlife and biodiversity.
Apart from the ubiquitous Long-Tailed Macaque that appears to thrive alongside human populations, the city is also home to a diverse array of primate species, including the charismatic Dusky Leaf Monkey and the elusive White-Thighed Surilli.
Venturing further to the edges of the Greater Klang Valley, the Southern Pig-Tailed Macaque and the Selangor Silver Leaf Monkey can still be sighted.
Even in the green islands of an expanding ocean of concrete, endangered species like the Lar Gibbon can still be found, although in dwindling numbers.
These intelligent creatures have adapted to the urban landscape, finding refuge in green spaces and urban parks scattered throughout the city, some more successfully than others.
A Banded Woodpecker.
Our green belts also provide homes to beautiful reptiles such as the Asian Pit Viper. These reptiles play an essential role in our ecosystem by keeping the rodent populations in our urban areas in check.
They can be found in the trees, asleep during the day. When the sun sets, these beautiful reptiles emerge to hunt among the vegetation.
They have developed specialised heat-sensing organs in the tiny pits between their nostrils and eyes that detect infrared signals, hence their name.
A smooth-coated otter that can be found swimming in some of the city’s waterways.
The city and its surroundings are also vibrant with avian life.
Apart from the commonly sighted birds like Zebra Doves and Yellow-Vented Bulbuls, which regularly nest in our gardens, other colourful and unique species still call the city home.
The crimson, phoenix-like Banded Woodpecker can be seen in parks and housing areas.
Like all other woodpeckers, they rely heavily on mature trees to nest. When more tees are cleared, this devastatingly impacts their ability to reproduce.
Birds of prey still soar in the skies above the city.
Brahminy Kites have been observed gliding on the thermals amidst the skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur.
The Crested Goshawk known to nest in neighbourhood parks.
Other raptors that have been sighted include the Crested Goshawk, known to nest in neighbourhood parks.
These medium-sized hunters have been known to target the rats in the neighbourhood, thus playing a vital role in urban pest control.
Our city’s green belts and islands also play an important role for migrating birds that fly from the north to the south every year to escape the harsh winters.
These include the beautiful and tiny Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher. One of the tiniest kingfishers in the world, this three-toed kingfisher makes the perilous journey southward every year and has to fly back north across hundreds of kilometres to get home.
These last forest patches in our cities provide them with vital rest stops. In some cases, there have been reports of exhausted kingfishers falling into homes as their pit stops keep disappearing exponentially.
More development increases human-wildlife conflict as our city grows and bursts its seams. As their homes continue to give way to economic activities, wildlife has no choice but to venture into our spaces.
An Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher.
The city’s rivers and lakes also support aquatic life, including various fish species, waterfowl, amphibians and dragonflies.
Families of Smooth-Coated Otters can be seen swimming in some of the city’s waterways, occasionally emerging onto dry land with their favourite prey, freshwater fish.
They have also been known to hunt around the lakes that dot the city’s landscape, providing much amusement to all fortunate enough to come across them in the wild.
The preservation of biodiversity within an urban setting yields many benefits that enhance the quality of life for residents of Kuala Lumpur.
The city is also home to the white-thighed surili.
Firstly, green spaces provide essential ecosystem services, including air purification, carbon sequestration, and temperature regulation.
Parks, gardens and forests help mitigate the urban heat island effect, improving the city’s overall microclimate and air quality.
Furthermore, the presence of nature has been scientifically proven to enhance physical and mental well-being.
These smooth-coated otters are thriving within the township of Elmina, thanks to the restoration of the forest ecosystem.Studies have consistently demonstrated that exposure to green spaces and wildlife reduces stress, boosts cognitive function, and promotes a sense of tranquillity.
Kuala Lumpur’s green areas, from the sprawling Lake Gardens to the picturesque Taman Rimba Kiara, act as sanctuaries for residents, offering respite from the fast-paced urban life and fostering a vital connection with nature.
The role of biodiversity extends beyond the individual level, impacting urban communities.
Urban agriculture initiatives, such as community gardens and rooftop farms, capitalise on a healthy biodiverse environment of insects and microbes to cultivate fresh produce and promote sustainable food practices.
The city’s wildlife residents help maintain our ecosystem’s balance and provide us with much joy and other psychological benefits.
So the next time you’re out in one of our parks or leafier neighbourhoods, keep your eyes peeled for some incredible living gems in our city.
They will bring a smile to your face.
The Asian pit viper keeps rodent populations in urban areas in check.
The city is also home to the white-thighed surili.
A smooth-coated otter that can be found swimming in some of the city’s waterways.
An Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher.
The Crested Goshawk known to nest in neighbourhood parks.
Endangered species Lar Gibbon can be found in small numbers living in the city forests.
A Banded Woodpecker.
The Selangor Silver Leaf Monkey (Baby) can still be sighted in smaller forests in and around the city.
These smooth-coated otters are thriving within the township of Elmina, thanks to the restoration of the forest ecosystem.
