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

Studying human-flying fox interactions is crucial for conservation planning, yet Sabah remains understudied. This study examines cultural and utilitarian practices, hunting, fruit-raiding conflicts, and trade across three divisions—Sandakan (SND), Interior (IRD), and West Coast (WCD). The study used a mixed-mode survey design with semi-structured questionnaires, market observations, and 839 Sabah Wildlife Market Logbook records (2015–2019) across districts in Sabah. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics in R and thematic analysis for qualitative insights. Twenty-three percent of participants consumed flying foxes, primarily for food (69.6%) and traditional medicine (30.4%). The declining flying fox sightings and reduced meat availability suggest population declines. Hunting was evident among Kadazandusun (72.7%), Sungai (18.2%), and Murut (9%) communities, 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 lanzones duku-langsat (33.5%) and rambutan (22.5%) as the most impacted crops. While 78.5% of participants tolerated flying foxes, 21.5% used lethal control methods, including nets and rawai. Market logbooks recorded 23 flying foxes (0.18% of total trade). This study highlights the need for context-specific conservation efforts that integrate local ecological knowledge, strengthen wildlife trade monitoring, and promote sustainable, non-lethal conflict mitigation strategies.