May 22, 2026

The masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) is a nocturnal mammal of the family Viverridae that is commonly found in Taiwan’s urban and low-elevation mountain areas, though it is rarely seen due to its secretive habits. To better understand how masked palm civets live in highly urbanized environments, a research team led by Associate Professor Hui-Yun Tseng of the Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University (NTU), has been conducting an interdisciplinary study supported by the National Science and Technology Council and the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture. The team has collaborated with the Taichung Wildlife Conservation Group, the NTU School of Veterinary Medicine, the Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute, and Observer Ecological Consultant Co., Ltd, integrating radio-tracking, citizen science reports, wildlife rescue records, and image data to reveal the behavioral patterns and survival challenges of masked palm civets in cities.

The research team found that masked palm civets are not merely occasional visitors to urban areas, but have become stable “new urban residents.” From 2022 to the end of 2024, the team collected 426 records through the Facebook group “City Civet Reports”. Analysis of reports from different cities, counties, and districts showed that more than half came from Taipei City, especially from Da’an, Wenshan, Shilin, and Beitou districts. The findings suggest that masked palm civets not only use tree canopies, green spaces, and campuses, but also make use of artificial structures such as rooftops and drainage pipes as resting and breeding sites. Notably, the team documented, for the first time, two adult female masked palm civets jointly caring for young, providing new evidence of social behavior in viverrids.

These findings echo the emphasis of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework on the connectivity of urban blue corridors, such as water bodies, and green corridors, such as vegetation. They also reflect the “One Health” perspective, which highlights the close links among human, environmental, and wildlife health. Starting with the masked palm civet, this study aims to help build a more comprehensive model for monitoring and managing urban wildlife, allowing cities to continue developing while also conserving biodiversity and creating more wildlife-friendly and resilient urban ecosystems. 

Now that wildlife has returned to the city, are we ready to live alongside it? Urban conservation is not only the work of researchers. The case of the urban masked palm civet shows that the combined efforts of local residents, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies can serve as a concrete and lasting force for conservation. If you encounter a masked palm civet on a city street, you can report your observation through the Facebook group “City Civet Report” (https://reurl.cc/OrqVKD). Each record helps build a clearer picture of the distribution and activity of urban wildlife. Moving from “I” to “we,” we can all take part in watching over our city and supporting coexistence between wildlife and people.

Research Contact：
Associate Professor Hui-Yun Tseng, PhD
Department of Entomology
National Taiwan University
Tel: +886(02) 33665525
E-mail: hytseng1216@ntu.edu.tw

Media Contact：
Ling-Chin Chou
Program Manager
Department of Life Sciences
National Science and Technology Council 
Phone: +886-02-2737-7546 
E-mail: lcchou@nstc.gov.tw