Human–Wildlife Interactions: Cultural Sensitivities and Perspectives Influence the Conservation of the Philippine Brown Deer (Rusa marianna Desmarest, 1822)

The Philippine brown deer (<i>Rusa marianna</i> Desmarest, 1822) is a tropical cervid increasingly threatened by hunting and habitat loss. It is endemic to the Philippine archipelago, now listed as Endangered under the Philippine Red List and as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List. This study examined the cultural sensitivities and perspectives of the Mandaya Indigenous peoples through in-depth interviews with 29 Indigenous experts and community observations from Davao Oriental, Philippines. In Mandaya cosmology, the brown deer is known as <i>Yatag ni Magbabaya</i>, or a gift from the Creator, and is regarded as an integral part of Mandaya culture and the ancestral lands. The brown deer is a sacred species and an indigenous food source, and its hunting is a Mandaya tradition passed down through generations. Anthropogenic disturbances remain the leading threats against the brown deer, including forest clearing and indiscriminate hunting. Poverty is also a critical driver of hunting pressures, inducing many community members to depend on forest resources and products. The causal layered analysis revealed that human-deer interactions shape local perspectives on conservation, providing insights into the effectiveness of national protection policies. In addition, the futures triangle envisions a sustainable brown deer population to address food security and economic challenges. The research findings call for culturally sensitive conservation strategies and contextualised community education that align with the Mandayas' traditions and values. Their engagement ensures that conservation goals are met while addressing the community's socio-economic needs. This study also emphasises the urgent need to reassess the brown deer conservation status to inform protection and management decisions.