Cultural And Socio-Economic Considerations in Conserving The Palawan Bearded Pig (Sus Ahoenobarbus) In Cleopatra'S Needle Critical Habitat

Abstract

The population of the threatened and endemic Palawan bearded pig (Sus ahoenobarbus) is at risk of decline due to intense hunting, either for direct consumption and /or wild pig meat trade. Before being listed as threatened species, the Palawan bearded pig has been traditionally hunted by the indigenous peoples (IPs) particularly the Batak inhabiting the forest of Cleopatra's Needle Critical Habitat (CNCH) as part of their subsistence for protein supply and ritual. Previous studies noted that the selling of wild pig meat has been going on for decades in the area. Apart from the Batak who sell wild pig meat in exchange for cash and/or basic commodities, the Tagbanua, another IP group who later settled in/around CNCH, and the outsiders (referred to as diwan by the IPs) are also reportedly engaged in hunting and selling activities. This study was conducted to provide an in-depth understanding of the cultural and socio-economic considerations in conserving the Palawan bearded pig in CNCH. It specifically looked at the interplay between culture and socio-economic condition of the Batak regarding the issue of wild pig hunting and wild pig meat selling in CNCH. Through qualitative case study research method, it examined the importance of the Palawan bearded pig in the culture of the Batak in CNCH, including changes that occurred over time, their current socio-economic conditions, their reasons for selling wild pig meat, the corresponding effects of these activities on their culture and environment, and measures/actions on how to regulate hunting for the conservation of the Palawan bearded pig in CNCH. Seventeen purposively selected indigenous leaders and hunters (Batak, Batak-Tagbanua, and Tagbanua) from the villages of Kalakwasan, Tagnaya, and Manggapin in CNCH participated in the key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Transcripts of interviews and discussions were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Findings show that there are alterations in the cultural practices of the Batak however wild pigs remain culturally important to them. Driven by their unfavorable economic situation caused by political and ecological factors they learned to sell wild pig meat to survive. As evidenced by the low encounter rate and mostly zero catch during hunting, the respondents observed a noticeable decline in the wild pig population. However, the hunting of wild pigs and selling of wild pig meat in CNCH is not exclusively done by the Batak. Respondents claim the Tagbanua and the diwan are more often involved in both hunting and selling activities. This study concludes that the case of wild pig hunting and wild pig meat selling in CNCH cannot be addressed by economic interventions alone primarily because it is imbued with issues and concerns that are not only economic, but cultural, ecological, and political as well. Previous related studies in other areas of the country proposed improvement of economic conditions and provision of long-term livelihoods as interventions. However, the case is different in CNCH. The combined interventions presented in the recommendations are important considerations in crafting conservation measures/actions to regulate the hunting of wild pigs in CNCH and discouraged them from selling wild pig meat.