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The Semoq Beri people also keep wildlife as pets. They prefer not to care for
animals that would put them at risk of disease and physical harm, such as those that
are venomous or aggressive. Usually, the Semoq Beri people keep birds as pets
because of their beauty and vibrant colours, as well as ease of care compared with
other animals. Examples of birds that were kept as pets are the blue-crowned hanging parrot and black hornbill (Fig. 17). They also keep as pets the young of animals
they have killed, such as the pigtail macaque (Fig. 18). Some of the respondents
stated that they don’t consume any wildlife species they keep as pets.
Sustainable Use of Wildlife by the Semoq Beri People
The Orang Asli traditionally believe that natural resources must be harvested in a
sustainable manner (Hood 1995). However, over the years, we cannot deny that
there have been some changes to their livelihood strategies, which have affected the
wildlife population. Generally, based on observation of the Semoq Beri people in
Pahang, we can say that their hunting lifestyle is still sustainable, considering that
Fig. 15 The carcass of the
M. muntjac
Fig. 16 The beak of the
Buceros sp. is used as a
decoration in one of
the houses
The Ethnozoology, Wildlife Utilisation and Hunting Practices of the Semoq Beri Tribe…
The Semoq Beri people also keep wildlife as pets. They prefer not to care for
animals that would put them at risk of disease and physical harm, such as those that
are venomous or aggressive. Usually, the Semoq Beri people keep birds as pets
because of their beauty and vibrant colours, as well as ease of care compared with
other animals. Examples of birds that were kept as pets are the blue-crowned hanging parrot and black hornbill (Fig. 17). They also keep as pets the young of animals
they have killed, such as the pigtail macaque (Fig. 18). Some of the respondents
stated that they don’t consume any wildlife species they keep as pets.
Sustainable Use of Wildlife by the Semoq Beri People
The Orang Asli traditionally believe that natural resources must be harvested in a
sustainable manner (Hood 1995). However, over the years, we cannot deny that
there have been some changes to their livelihood strategies, which have affected the
wildlife population. Generally, based on observation of the Semoq Beri people in
Pahang, we can say that their hunting lifestyle is still sustainable, considering that
Fig. 15 The carcass of the
M. muntjac
Fig. 16 The beak of the
Buceros sp. is used as a
decoration in one of
the houses
The Ethnozoology, Wildlife Utilisation and Hunting Practices of the Semoq Beri Tribe…