Exploring Human-Flying Fox Interactions in Sabah Malaysia Borneo: Observations, Cultural-Utilitarian Practices, Conflicting Interactions and Trade

Studying human-flying fox interactions is crucial for conservation planning, yet they remain understudied in Sabah and across the region. This study examines cultural and utilitarian practices, hunting, fruit-raiding conflicts, and trade across three of Sabah's five administrative divisions, Sandakan (SND), Interior (IRD), and West Coast (WCD). The study used a multi-mode survey design with 100 semi-structured questionnaires, market observations, and 839 Sabah Wildlife Market Logbook records (2015-2019) covering 16 of Sabah's 27 main districts. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics in R and thematic analysis for qualitative insights. Twenty-three percent of participants consumed flying foxes for food (26.1%),traditional medicine (30.4%) or both (43.5%). Over the past five years, participants observed reduced flying fox sightings and meat availability, suggesting a population decline. Hunting was reported among Kadazandusun (72.7%), Sungai (18.2%),and Murut (9%) participants, which was driven by meat consumption (53.3%), protection of fruiting trees (33.3%),selling meat (6.7%), and medicinal purposes (6.7%). Fruit-raiding conflicts affected 48% of participants, with seasonal crops such as duku-langsat (34.3%) and rambutan (24.1%) being the most impacted. Among those affected by fruit raiding, 71.4% of participants tolerated flying foxes, 28.6% employed lethal control methods, including nets and rawai. Market logbooks recorded 23 flying foxes (0.18% of total trade) indicating both low prevalence and likely underreporting. This study highlights the need for context-specific conservation efforts that integrate local ecological knowledge, address food security and alternative protein/livelihood options, promote sustainable, non-lethal conflict mitigation strategies and strengthen wildlife trade monitoring.
Copyright © 2025 Lawrence Alan Bansa, Rayzigerson Rodney , Marcela Pimid, Liesbeth Frias, Sergio Guerrero Sánchez, Noor Haliza Hasan