Data and wildlife conservation: Why it matters for all of us

Borneo Post

03-08-2025

A field biologist recording data on the camera trap location. and its surrounding vegetation.
This regular op-ed column features WWF-Malaysia's perspectives on pressing environmental issues and events unfolding in Sabah. As an environmental conservation NGO, we also use this space to share our views on potential policy shifts that Sabah's leaders can implement to foster a greener and more sustainable future for the state.
Data is everywhere. It shapes our online experience, helps businesses grow, and guides decisions in government. Recognising the importance of data, Malaysia has taken bold steps to build a stronger digital future.
According to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), over RM114.7 billion has been approved for data centre investments in recent years. This shows just how serious the government is about turning Malaysia into a major player in the digital economy.
We are now shifting from a carbon-based economy – one that relies heavily on commodities like oil, gas, and timber – to a data-driven economy powered by technology, artificial intelligence, and digital services.
This is not just happening in cities like Kuala Lumpur or Penang. Sabah, too, is stepping into this future. In 2023, a RM119 million data centre project was announced in Kota Kinabalu, aimed at growing the state's digital capacity.
Most of the focus has been on how data can drive business and boost the economy. But what about nature? Can data also help us take better care of our forests and wildlife?
The answer is yes.
Field researchers getting the right camera trap angle for wildlife detection.
Data application in conservation works
Wildlife conservation is not only about saving endangered animals. It also involves managing their habitats and understanding how they live, move, and interact with their environment. To do this properly, we need reliable data – and lots of it. Data on animal sightings, habitat changes, weather conditions, and even sounds in the forest all play a role in helping conservationists make better decisions.
At the same time, conservation data is also critically important for integrated land management.
In the past, collecting this kind of data meant spending long hours in the jungle, watching animals directly and taking notes by hand. These records were then stored in notebooks or filed away in cabinets – vulnerable to being lost, damaged, or forgotten. It was hard work and not always efficient.
Things have changed dramatically. Today, conservationists use modern tools like camera traps, sound recorders, and drones to collect data. These devices can operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and often in places too remote or dangerous for people to stay long. The result is a massive increase in the amount of data we can collect – but this also means we need better systems to store and manage it.
For example, each camera trap or drone flight can produce gigabytes of data – images, videos, or sound files. Multiply that by hundreds of devices in the forest, and it's easy to see how big the challenge becomes.
Without proper digital infrastructure and data management, much of this valuable information might face the risk of loss.
Sabah has made significant strides in biodiversity data collection. WWF-Malaysia, which has been active in the state since the 1980s, has gathered decades' worth of wildlife data. Over time, older records have been digitised, while newer information continues to be collected using modern tools such as camera traps and drones.
Other institutions – including the Sabah Forestry Department (through its Forest Research centre), Sabah Museum, Sabah Parks and Universiti Malaysia Sabah – have also played important roles in documenting the state's rich flora and fauna.
The use of modern tools such as camera traps and drones is imperative in collecting wildlife data.
The Wildlife Atlas of Sabah publication
To ensure that these efforts are recognised and the data put to good use, WWF-Malaysia, in collaboration with the Sabah Biodiversity Centre (SaBC), has published the Wildlife Atlas of Sabah – along with its Malay-language version, Atlas Hidupan Liar Sabah. This landmark publication represents a major collaborative effort among government agencies, researchers, NGOs, and the private sector to organise and present Sabah's biodiversity data in a way that is accessible, informative, and usable for conservation planning.
So, what comes next?
One exciting direction is greater public participation. Through citizen science programmes, everyday people can play a meaningful role in collecting data. With just a smartphone, anyone can contribute valuable information about the wildlife they encounter. These small contributions, when combined, create powerful datasets – and perhaps more importantly, they help strengthen the connection between people and nature.
In Sabah, this approach is already taking shape in creative and impactful ways. A great example is the Sabah Bird Race during the annual Borneo Bird Festival. Others include the annual International Bornean Frog Race, held every April. These unique events invite the public to photograph frogs and birds in their natural habitat and compete against each other to see who can get the greatest number of species.
Recently, this program has also encouraged participants to upload their images to a global biodiversity data platform, like iNaturalist. With cash prizes as an incentive, participants not only enjoy the thrill of the race but also contribute to real scientific records that support conservation.
The benefits go beyond science. Events like these have attracted not just locals, but also international tourists, encouraging visits to national parks. This, in turn, supports local economies through spending on entrance fees, accommodations, food, and guiding services. It's a great example of how conservation, community engagement, and sustainable tourism can go hand in hand – proving that protecting biodiversity can also create economic value.
But with all this data, there's also a need for caution. Information about the locations of rare or endangered animals must be kept secure. If it falls into the wrong hands, it could be used for illicit uses such as poaching or illegal trade. That's why conservation data needs the same level of protection as financial or medical records.
As we build a digital economy, we must also build a digital conservation strategy. This means not only investing in data centres for business, but also in platforms and training to support biodiversity research, habitat monitoring, and public education to improve data analysis capabilities for nature.
In the end, data shouldn't only serve profits. It should also serve the planet. Let's make sure our digital future includes a commitment to protecting the forests, rivers, and animals that make Malaysia truly unique. Conservation isn't just the responsibility of scientists or government – it's something all of us can be part of.