A near-endangered animal was recently spotted in the residential suburb of Ampang, raising concerns over its survival as the construction of the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE) cuts across the Ampang Forest Reserve.

The Tropical Rainforest and Conservation Research Centre (TRCRC) said residents made the rare sighting of a Sumatran serow in the Ukay Perdana neighbourhood.

This comes as Taman Rimba Ampang becomes a no-go zone for visitors, to make way for the construction of the EKVE which will connect Sungai Long to Damansara.

“TRCRC recently received these rare photos of a Sumatran serow (Capriconis sumatraensis) fleeing in recently developed housing area in the Ukay Perdana vicinity.

“Recently-approved plans to construct a highway (EKVE) will further fragment this elusive and threatened Capriconis,” the Kuala Lumpur-based conservation NGO said on its Facebook page.

The Sumatran serow is considered a vulnerable animal - just one step short of endangered - due to habitat loss, according to the International Union for Conservation and Nature.

Environmental groups have for years decried plans to build the EKVE as the Ampang forest is home to endangered animals and is a water catchment area.

EKVE critics have also slammed the Selangor government for reneging on its election promise to do away with tolled highways.