Post by Keneco

📸 Spotted in the wild: the elusive Maral (Malay Civet, Viverra tangalunga)! On July 10, 2024, our camera traps in the MinFor Project area in the Davao Region, captured a rare glimpse of the Maral—locally known by the Mandaya Tribe—as it wandered the forest floor. This shy, nocturnal creature is one of the most elusive species recorded during our biodiversity monitoring efforts. Although the Malay Civet is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and classified as Other Wildlife Species under the Philippine Red List (DAO 2019-09), its population is in decline—mainly due to habitat loss and hunting pressures. 🦝 Why does this matter? The Malay Civet plays a vital ecological role. As an omnivore, it feeds on fruits, invertebrates (like crickets, scorpions, and centipedes), birds, and rodents—helping regulate insect and small vertebrate populations. By consuming fruits, it also aids in seed dispersal, supporting forest regeneration and ecosystem balance. 🌿 Interestingly, this species is often confused with the Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus philippinensis or Milo), but differs morphologically in size and fur pattern. The Maral is larger and marked with distinct black and white spots and bands (de Guia et al., 2020). It is also highly adaptable, found in primary and secondary forests as well as agricultural landscapes (Jennings et al., 2009). While the Maral holds no significant cultural or economic value for the locals—aside from being hunted for food—its presence serves as a powerful reminder of the rich biodiversity that still exists in our forests. 🌿✨ As we celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity, the sighting of the Maral is more than a milestone in our monitoring efforts—it’s a strong reminder of why we must continue protecting the biodiversity that sustains life on Earth. 🔍 Let us protect our forests. 🛡️ Let us conserve our wildlife. 🌏 Because every species matters. #MinFor #Biodiversity #InternationalDayForBiologicalDiversity #WildlifeConservation #MalayCivet #ForestProtection #IndigenousPeoples #DavaoOriental #SustainableForests #EcologicalBalance #CameraTrapFinds

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