Wildlife hunting practices by the indigenous people of Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

In Peninsular Malaysia, the indigenous people (Orang Asli) depend on the forest for subsistence. Hunting wildlife and collecting forest products are part of their cultural practices and lifestyle. However, little is known about how the Orang Asli hunt wildlife. As such, it is important to monitor the wildlife hunting patterns of the Orang Asli to safeguard natural resources and help in animal conservation. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, we investigated how wildlife is perceived by the Orang Asli and the traditional hunting practices of the Semoq Beri sub-tribe at a forest reserve in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia. We found that 53 wildlife species are hunted by the Orang Asli for various purposes. They tracked the animals by their footprints and used snares, traps and blowpipes to capture them. It was also noted that they do not hunt big animals, but the lucrative wildlife market has encouraged them to hunt small protected animals for better income. The findings of this study may be important to help sustain the natural resources in the forest for the Orang Asli.