Human–Asian Palm Civet Conflict in Malaysia

Abstract

The Asian palm civet (APC), Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, is a native Malaysian mammal, and recently, it has increasingly caused conflicts with humans as it ventures into local settlements for food. A study surveying 212 locals and analyzing the APC scats was conducted in Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia, from August 2021 to December 2022 to understand the coexistence potential. The findings show: (1) The conflicts mainly arise due to the APCs’ foraging habits. (2) APCs cause local damage, including cultivated fruit consumption, poultry predation, and agricultural and property damage. (3) Most locals have a positive attitude toward APCs, although, in local settlements, they are considered to be pests. Respondents who experienced losses of cultivated fruits and poultry, and were familiar with APCs, had more negative attitudes. (4) Most locals believe that the APC population has increased over the past decade. (5) Only a few locals actively engage in mitigating the conflict through the use of poison, while most of them do not take any action. Although Malaysia’s human–Asian palm civet conflict is relatively tolerant, prioritizing management strategies is crucial. Conservation practitioners must address these conflicts by highlighting the need for further research and a holistic approach considering social, economic, and ecological factors.