Night camera traps in Sabah documented the endangered Bornean ferret badger carrying a snake, part of a larger survey that ran 188 stations between 2021 and 2024. Researchers collected over 400 observations and published their results in Ecology and Evolution. Detections concentrated in Crocker Range and Kinabalu Parks, with a newly identified population in the Nuluhon–Trusmadi Forest Reserve. Protecting the species could help conserve Sabah's highland ecosystems and promote local stewardship.
Night Cameras Capture Endangered Bornean Ferret Badger Carrying a Snake in Sabah Highlands
Photo Credit: AJ Hearn
Nighttime camera traps in Sabah, Malaysia, have recorded the endangered Bornean ferret badger carrying a snake — a striking glimpse into the species' nocturnal behavior and the value of long-term monitoring.
Camera-Trap Survey and Findings
Between 2021 and 2024 researchers operated a network of 188 camera-trap stations across Sabah's western highlands, collecting more than 400 observations of the species. The team published their results in the peer-reviewed journal Ecology and Evolution, adding important new records that clarify the badger's distribution.
Where the Badger Was Detected
Most detections occurred in Crocker Range Park and Kinabalu Park. The survey also revealed a previously undocumented population in the Nuluhon–Trusmadi Forest Reserve. Even with this additional population, the species appears largely confined to montane habitats in western Sabah.
Conservation Implications
Because the Bornean ferret badger occupies a small geographic range, it is vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation. Protecting this species could have broader benefits by anchoring conservation efforts for Sabah's highland ecosystems, supporting safe wildlife experiences, and encouraging local stewardship of biodiversity.
"To discover that an endangered species found only in Sabah was living right on our doorstep was a special moment. I hope this study helps more Sabahans appreciate and take pride in the remarkable wildlife that makes our state unique." — Mohammad Aliyuddin bin Jaini, study co-author
Some of the photos used in the study came from camera traps placed near Aliyuddin bin Jaini's family farm, underscoring how conservation discoveries can arise close to human communities and highlighting opportunities for community-led stewardship.
Why It Matters: These camera-trap records refine our understanding of the species' distribution and reinforce the need for targeted protection of Sabah's montane forests to secure the future of this rare mammal and the ecosystems it inhabits.
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