# Ep144 - Indigenous perspectives on conserving the Philippine Brown Deer

An episode of [Behind The Science Podcast](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1753464681), 8 Oct 2026, 59 min.

Audio: https://anchor.fm/s/ee2ce360/podcast/play/126980359/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-9-7%2F433585599-44100-2-e480593019bdd.mp3

In this episode, we talk with Mr. Jhonnel Villegas about his study examining the conservation of the Philippine brown deer (Rusa marianna Desmarest, 1822) in Davao Oriental with a focus on the perspectives and traditions of the Mandaya Indigenous people. The deer, considered sacred and a cultural symbol, faces declining populations due to poverty-driven hunting and deforestation. Through interviews and observations, the study finds that the Mandaya’s beliefs, traditional practices, and knowledge influence conservation efforts. Collaborative communication, culturally sensitive and future-oriented conservation strategies, and Indigenous-managed protected landscapes are recommended to balance cultural traditions and wildlife protection. Involving Indigenous peoples is crucial for effective and sustainable deer conservation in the Philippines. 📚Reference: Villegas JP, Pua LR, Vidláková A, Ceacero F. 2025. Human–wildlife interactions: cultural sensitivities and perspectives influence the conservation of the Philippine brown deer (Rusa marianna Desmarest, 1822). Animals. 15(23):3397.

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