When a Ficus sundaica was fruiting on Gunung Lucia at Tawau Hills in March 2021, the fruit attracted a Binturong as well as a large variety of animals as shown in the camera trap photos below. These animals can be split into 3 types;
(1) Animals that came to feed on the fallen fig fruits, Rats, Red Muntjac, Yellow Muntjac, Horsetailed Squirrel and Bearded Pig.
(2) Animals that came to feed on the fig seeds rather than the fruit: Argus Pheasant, Roul Roul Partridge.
(3) Carnivorous animals that came to feed on the other animals attracted by the figs; Marbled Cat, Hoses’s Civet, Banded Civet and Malay Civet.
What these photos show is how overwhelmingly important figs are to forest wildlife and ecology in Borneo.
Photos and information provided by Shavez Cheema and Chun Xing WONG of 1Stop Borneo Wildlife.
