100
information of their hunted wildlife. The animals were also identified with the aid
of pictures that were shown to the villagers. Pictures of available hunted animals
were also photographed for in-situ identification purposes, according to the field
guide of mammals (Francis 2008), reptiles (Indraneil 2010) and birds (Robson
2000). Besides that, other related data, such as the purpose of utilisation, method of
catching and trading activities were also recorded.
Results and Discussion
In this survey, a total of 39 species from 22 wildlife families were recorded to have
been utilised by the Orang Asli in Kampung Sungai Berua for the past 12 months
(Table 1). The animals were categorised according to taxonomic order. The most
utilised animals were mammals with 20 species, followed by reptiles (10 species)
and birds (nine species). Of the total, 65% and 35% were listed as protected (P) and
totally protected species (TP), respectively, under the Wildlife Conservation Act
2010. Four species of critically endangered animals (the river terrapin, red-eared
slider, helmeted hornbill and Sunda pangolin) were found to have been utilised. One
species categorised as an endangered — the spiny hill turtle — was also recorded.
Six species of vulnerable animals were also hunted, which were the Malayan box
turtle, black marsh turtle, Asian brown turtle, straw-headed bulbul, southern pigtailed macaque and Sambar deer.
The Orang Asli used several methods to hunt wildlife, with blowpipes, snares,
traps and spearguns. They mostly tracked the animal by their footprints. The Orang
Asli were known for their traditional survival knowledge and familiarity with the
forest terrain, and they possessed specific strategies in hunting wildlife (Table 2).
The survey revealed that hunted wildlife was for household consumption, medicinal purposes, as a source of income or kept as pets. Most animals were utilised for
household consumption (Fig. 2). Based on the interviews, the three top animals
considered as delicacies among the Orang Asli were porcupines, turtles and
squirrels.
Economic and commercial activities also occurred between the Orang Asli and
middlemen. Outsiders were no strangers to the Orang Asli as their trading relationship had long existed since the fifteenth century (Gianno & Bayr, 2009). High
demand in the wildlife trade also drove the Orang Asli to become excellent hunters.
Some of the prized animals caught could fetch a good price and significantly contribute to their wellbeing. Based on interviews with a few key informants, they get
paid by middlemen based on the prices shown in Table 3.
This study identified eight species of animals used by the Orang Asli as traditional medicine (Table 4). Knowledge on how to use the animals for medicinal
purposes was mainly held by traditional practitioners and elders. In this survey,
three traditional practitioners were interviewed.
Based on our findings, it could be noted that wildlife hunting remained an important subsistence for the Orang Asli and it played an important role in many aspects
C. V. Bartholomew et al.
information of their hunted wildlife. The animals were also identified with the aid
of pictures that were shown to the villagers. Pictures of available hunted animals
were also photographed for in-situ identification purposes, according to the field
guide of mammals (Francis 2008), reptiles (Indraneil 2010) and birds (Robson
2000). Besides that, other related data, such as the purpose of utilisation, method of
catching and trading activities were also recorded.
Results and Discussion
In this survey, a total of 39 species from 22 wildlife families were recorded to have
been utilised by the Orang Asli in Kampung Sungai Berua for the past 12 months
(Table 1). The animals were categorised according to taxonomic order. The most
utilised animals were mammals with 20 species, followed by reptiles (10 species)
and birds (nine species). Of the total, 65% and 35% were listed as protected (P) and
totally protected species (TP), respectively, under the Wildlife Conservation Act
2010. Four species of critically endangered animals (the river terrapin, red-eared
slider, helmeted hornbill and Sunda pangolin) were found to have been utilised. One
species categorised as an endangered — the spiny hill turtle — was also recorded.
Six species of vulnerable animals were also hunted, which were the Malayan box
turtle, black marsh turtle, Asian brown turtle, straw-headed bulbul, southern pigtailed macaque and Sambar deer.
The Orang Asli used several methods to hunt wildlife, with blowpipes, snares,
traps and spearguns. They mostly tracked the animal by their footprints. The Orang
Asli were known for their traditional survival knowledge and familiarity with the
forest terrain, and they possessed specific strategies in hunting wildlife (Table 2).
The survey revealed that hunted wildlife was for household consumption, medicinal purposes, as a source of income or kept as pets. Most animals were utilised for
household consumption (Fig. 2). Based on the interviews, the three top animals
considered as delicacies among the Orang Asli were porcupines, turtles and
squirrels.
Economic and commercial activities also occurred between the Orang Asli and
middlemen. Outsiders were no strangers to the Orang Asli as their trading relationship had long existed since the fifteenth century (Gianno & Bayr, 2009). High
demand in the wildlife trade also drove the Orang Asli to become excellent hunters.
Some of the prized animals caught could fetch a good price and significantly contribute to their wellbeing. Based on interviews with a few key informants, they get
paid by middlemen based on the prices shown in Table 3.
This study identified eight species of animals used by the Orang Asli as traditional medicine (Table 4). Knowledge on how to use the animals for medicinal
purposes was mainly held by traditional practitioners and elders. In this survey,
three traditional practitioners were interviewed.
Based on our findings, it could be noted that wildlife hunting remained an important subsistence for the Orang Asli and it played an important role in many aspects
C. V. Bartholomew et al.