Gunung Kanthan

Home to rare and endemic species

The isolated tower karst of Gunung Kanthan is a visual spectacle and yet it has more to offer than its iconic sheer white cliffs and the 100-foot cathedral chamber of its river cave.

It was identified in 1991 as one of the four most important karsts in Perak for conservation.

Amongst a variety of rare and endangered species, Gunung Kanthan is home to at least three endemic plant species, meaning they only exist in this one place.

Its cave, Gua Kanthan is the last known place on earth where the Trapdoor Spider Lipistius kanthan still exists.

It is a critically endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and is protected by the Malaysian Wildlife Conservation Bill.

FAST FACTS:

FLORA: 223 species of moss and vascular plants of which 32 are of conservation importance; 19 endemics to the region, 3 endemics to Gunung Kanthan, 12 endangered, 11 rare.

Fauna: Trapdoor Spider, Bent-Toed Gecko, cave crickets, cave millipedes amongst others.

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