Rats have caused serious damage to oil palm in certain parts of Sabah. Barn owls were first introduced from Penisula Malaysia in 1990 to 1992 by Sawit Kinabalu Berhad (formerly Sabah Land Development Board). It had since established well in Klias Estate/Settlement Scheme, Beufort. Rat attacks in terms of palms with fresh damages of FFB had dropped considerably after the indroduction of barn owls to quite an acceptable level without the need of any baiting. Occupancy rates of nest boxes in 1999 were in the region of around 50 to 60 per cent, indicating the owls introduced are still there and are multiplying. The role of barn owls in rat control can be important in future as rats are expected to adapt and establish itself in oil palm plantations in tandem with the rapid expansion of this crop in Sabah.