Characterizing Social Interactions and Grouping Patterns of Sumatran Orangutans (Pongo abelii) in the Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra

The character of social interactions and grouping patterns of Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii) have been studied in Ketambe research station of the Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra. A total number of 141 groupings and 47 incidences of interactive behavior were observed during the course of study. The character of groups (feeding group or travel-band) and the type of food trees (fig tree or fruit tree) appear to influence the interactive behavior of individual orangutans. Intolerance behavior has been characterized by feeding group in large fig trees, whereas tolerance and sexual behavior were shown mostly in travel-band

GEOGRAPHIC AND SEX DIFFERENCES IN POSlTIONAL BEHAVIOR OF ORANG-UTANS

The basic aim of this paper is to present a synthesis of the field work that we have been conducting on the positional behavior of orang-utans. The data have been collected from two study sites, of which one was at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser National Park, northern Sumatra and the other at Mentoko, Kutai National Park, eastern Kalimantan. We attempt to interpret positional behavior in an ecological context, and we evaluate several hypotheses, some of which can not be tested conclusively at the present time

Status Populasi Satwa Primata di Taman Nasional Gunung Palung dan Daerah Penyangga, Kalimantan Barat

Abstrak. Enam belas lokasi yang berbeda telah disurvei di Taman Nasional Gunung Palung dan sekitarnya dengan luas tertutup total hampir 45.000 ha. Indikasi ancaman terhadap habitat primata juga diteliti pada setiap lokasi yang disurvei. Telah ditemukan bahwa di daerah di mana pengawasan hutan secara intensif dilaksanakan, kepadatan primata terutama lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan daerah yang tidak ada patroli reguler. Kepadatan tertinggi (3,7 individual/km2) orangutan ditemukan di Sungai Bayas, bagian dari Taman Nasional Gunung Palung, sedangkan kepadatan tinggi berikutnya (2,3 individual/km2) ditemukan di Lubuk Kuali, bagian dari masyarakat hutan. Spesies primata lain yang ditemukan selama survei ini adalah monyet ekor panjang, langurs, owa, dan monyet belalai. Spesies ini kebanyakan terjadi di dalam kawasan konservasi. Analisis ancaman menunjukkan bahwa kepadatan primata relatif lebih baik di kawasan konservasi dan hutan masyarakat bukan di hutan lindung. Meskipun status situs sebagai hutan lindung, tidak ada unit manajemen yang ada di daerah tersebut. Oleh karena itu, kegiatan ilegal banyak terjadi yang menyebabkan penurunan populasi primata. Kegiatan ilegal yang paling sering ditemui adalah penebangan diikuti oleh konversi hutan untuk berburu dan tanaman pertanian atau tanaman.Abstract. Sixteen different locations have been surveyed in Gunung Palung National Park and their surroundings with a total covered area of nearly 45.000 ha. In addition, the threats to the primate habitats have also been assessed, particularly the threats to each surveyed site. It has been found that in the areas where forest patrols were intensively implemented, the primate density was particularly higher in comparison to the areas where no regular patrols existed. The highest density (3,7 individual/km2) of orangutans has been found in Sungai Bayas, part of Gunung Palung National Park, whereas the next high density (2,3 individual/km2) was found in Lubuk Kuali, part of the community forest. The other primate species encountered during the survey were longtailed macaques, langurs, gibbons, and proboscis monkeys. These species mostly occur inside the conservation area. An analysis of threats showed that the density of primates was relatively better in the conservation area and community forests rather than in the protection forests. Despite the status of the sites as protection forest, no management unit exist in the area and therefore, many illegal activities occurred, leading to reduction of the primate population. The most frequent illegal activities encountered were logging followed by hunting and forest conversion for agricultural plants or crops.Key words: primates, orangutan, density, Gunung Palung National Park, buffer zon

Population Status of Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) within the Renewable Energy Development and its Management Implications

To protect Tapanuli orangutan it is essential to understand the actual situation. It has been studied 15% of its population live outside the protected area facing a density disruption due to forest conversion. Several best management practices have been created and tested for different natural concession types. Yet, the main objective to reduce the impact and increase wildlife survival is far away from the goal. To improve our understanding of the species survival within ongoing project construction, we conducted population density monitoring prior- to post-construction time frames within the hydroelectric dam project. Also, we carried out spatial analysis to understand the land cover change and orangutan’s suitable habitat distribution. This study found that during high construction activities, orangutans were avoiding the threat sources, and returned when the disturbances reduced. These findings indicated orangutans are ecology flexible and have the capability to increase its survival, although the company’s involvement is crucial to facilitate the successes. Our study is based on indirect observation, and spatial modeling, which may lead to an uncertain conclusion. Further research on orangutan ecology and behavior is prioritized

Habitat Suitability Modeling of Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) in Betung Kerihun National Park, Danau Sentarum and Corridor, West Kalimantan

Conservation areas such as national parks became the last safe area for biodiversity in Indonesia, especially for orangutan, because they have permanent status, and other forest areas may change at any time. Currently, there have been tremendous numbers of land use changes in orangutan habitats such as the development of roads, large scale plantations, settlements, farming as well as logging.  However, the available national parks still offer secure places for orangutans. This research was conducted to study the impact of spatial land use policy on the habitat distribution of orangutans. A remote sensing technology was used to study the habitat distribution and suitability of orangutan in Betung Kerihun National Park (BKNP), Danau Sentarum National Park (DSNP) and a corridor which connects these 2 parks. Seven parameters have been observed to characterize the habitat of orangutans. Habitat suitability levels of three research sites i.e. BKNP, corridor, and DSNP were 53.72%, 42.94%, and 3.34% which is considered as high, moderate, and low level of habitat suitability, respectively. These results were obtained with 93.63% of validation

PENGGUNAAN POHON TIDUR MONYET EKOR PANJANG (Macaca fascicularis) DI HUTAN LINDUNG ANGKE KAPUK DAN EKOWISATA MANGROVE PANTAI INDAH KAPUK JAKARTA

Abstrak Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui penggunaan pohon tidur monyet ekor panjang (Macaca fascicularis). Penelitian menggunakan metode Pencatatan Perjumpaan Langsung. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa di Hutan Lindung Angke Kapuk  (HLAK) hanya terdapat sekelompok monyet ekor panjang yang berjumlah 26 individu dengan komposisi: 1 jantan alfa, 3  jantan dewasa, 4 betina dewasa, 4 bayi, dan 14 remaja. Ada 15 jenis tumbuhan mangrove di HLAK dan kelompok monyet ekor panjang hanya memanfaatkan satu pohon Rhizophora apiculata untuk tidur, dengan ketinggian 16 m dan berjarak 10 m dari tepi jalan. Pada kawasan Ekowisata Mangrove Pantai Indah Kapuk (EMPIK) terdapat sekelompok monyet ekor panjang yang berjumlah 13 individu dengan komposisi: 1 jantan alfa, 1 jantan dewasa, 3 betina dewasa, dan 8 remaja. Ada 8 jenis tumbuhan mangrove di EMPIK dan kelompok monyet ekor panjang yang memanfaatkan hanya satu pohon Avicennia officinalis untuk tidur, dengan ketinggian 20 m dan berjarak 5 m dari tepi danau. Abstract The study aims to determine the use of roosting trees by long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis). The recording method used is the Direct Encounter. The results showed that in Hutan Lindung Angke Kapuk  (HLAK) there was only a group of the long-tailed macaque with a total of 26 individuals comprised of: 1 alpha male, 3 adult males, 4 adult females, 4 infants, and 14 juveniles. There were 15 species of mangrove plants in HLAK and a group of long-tailed macaque utilized only one tree Rhizophora apiculata to sleep, which is characterized by approximately 10 m high and located 10 m from the edge of the road. In the area of Ekowisata Mangrove Pantai Indah Kapuk (EMPIK), there was a group of the long-tailed macaque with 13 individuals, the composition as follows: one alpha male, one adult male, 3 female adult females, and 8 juveniles. There were 8 species of mangrove plants in EMPIK and a group of long-tailed macaque utilized only one tree Avicennia officinalis to sleep, which is characterized by approximately 20 m high and approximately 5 m from the edge of the lake

The power of gibbon songs : going beyond the research to inform conservation actions

Gibbons (Hylobatidae) are the smallest of the apes, known for their arboreal behavior and stereotyped songs. These species and sex-specific songs are often the subject of detailed studies regarding their evolution, responses to changing environments, involvement in social behavior, and used to design vocalization-based survey techniques to monitor population densities and trends. What is poorly understood is the value and impact of using the science and sound of gibbon vocalization and gibbon stories in education and outreach to complement nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) efforts. We present an example of how Borneo Nature Foundation, a NGOs based in Indonesia, is working to use the recordings of the songs of Bornean white-bearded gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis) to inform conservation actions and education efforts. Gibbons in Indonesia are often poorly known or understood by the public compared to orangutans (Pongo spp). We showcase how a field of study, namely primate acoustics, is an untapped resource to create digital content to engage with local, national and international communities and can be developed into educational tools in the form of storytelling, mobile apps and games, to highlight the plight of these threatened species and how to conserve them

Tropical peatlands and their conservation are important in the context of COVID-19 and potential future (zoonotic) disease pandemics.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused global disruption, with the emergence of this and other pandemics having been linked to habitat encroachment and/or wildlife exploitation. High impacts of COVID-19 are apparent in some countries with large tropical peatland areas, some of which are relatively poorly resourced to tackle disease pandemics. Despite this, no previous investigation has considered tropical peatlands in the context of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). Here, we review: (i) the potential for future EIDs arising from tropical peatlands; (ii) potential threats to tropical peatland conservation and local communities from COVID-19; and (iii) potential steps to help mitigate these risks. We find that high biodiversity in tropical peat-swamp forests, including presence of many potential vertebrate and invertebrate vectors, combined, in places, with high levels of habitat disruption and wildlife harvesting represent suitable conditions for potential zoonotic EID (re-)emergence. Although impossible to predict precisely, we identify numerous potential threats to tropical peatland conservation and local communities from the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes impacts on public health, with the potential for haze pollution from peatland fires to increase COVID-19 susceptibility a noted concern; and on local economies, livelihoods and food security, where impacts will likely be greater in remote communities with limited/no medical facilities that depend heavily on external trade. Research, training, education, conservation and restoration activities are also being affected, particularly those involving physical groupings and international travel, some of which may result in increased habitat encroachment, wildlife harvesting or fire, and may therefore precipitate longer-term negative impacts, including those relating to disease pandemics. We conclude that sustainable management of tropical peatlands and their wildlife is important for mitigating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and reducing the potential for future zoonotic EID emergence and severity, thus strengthening arguments for their conservation and restoration. To support this, we list seven specific recommendations relating to sustainable management of tropical peatlands in the context of COVID-19/disease pandemics, plus mitigating the current impacts of COVID-19 and reducing potential future zoonotic EID risk in these localities. Our discussion and many of the issues raised should also be relevant for non-tropical peatland areas and in relation to other (pandemic-related) sudden socio-economic shocks that may occur in future