Population Status of a Cryptic Top Predator: An Island-Wide Assessment of Tigers in Sumatran Rainforests

Large carnivores living in tropical rainforests are under immense pressure from the rapid conversion of their habitat. In response, millions of dollars are spent on conserving these species. However, the cost-effectiveness of such investments is poorly understood and this is largely because the requisite population estimates are difficult to achieve at appropriate spatial scales for these secretive species. Here, we apply a robust detection/non-detection sampling technique to produce the first reliable population metric (occupancy) for a critically endangered large carnivore; the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae). From 2007–2009, seven landscapes were surveyed through 13,511 km of transects in 394 grid cells (17×17 km). Tiger sign was detected in 206 cells, producing a naive estimate of 0.52. However, after controlling for an unequal detection probability (where p = 0.13±0.017; ±S.E.), the estimated tiger occupancy was 0.72±0.048. Whilst the Sumatra-wide survey results gives cause for optimism, a significant negative correlation between occupancy and recent deforestation was found. For example, the Northern Riau landscape had an average deforestation rate of 9.8%/yr and by far the lowest occupancy (0.33±0.055). Our results highlight the key tiger areas in need of protection and have led to one area (Leuser-Ulu Masen) being upgraded as a ‘global priority’ for wild tiger conservation. However, Sumatra has one of the highest global deforestation rates and the two largest tiger landscapes identified in this study will become highly fragmented if their respective proposed roads networks are approved. Thus, it is vital that the Indonesian government tackles these threats, e.g. through improved land-use planning, if it is to succeed in meeting its ambitious National Tiger Recovery Plan targets of doubling the number of Sumatran tigers by 2022

Status Kritis Dua Jenis Badak di Indonesia

There are five species of rhinoceros in the world, two types of African (Diceros bicornis and Ceratotherium simum) and three species in Asia (Rhinoceros unicornis, Rhinoceros sondaicus and Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). Indonesia has two types, namely: the Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus Desmarest, 1822) and the Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis Fischer, 1814).Both types of rhino in Indonesia is not endemic wildlife, but it is a species relich; formerly spread is very wide, but now in addition to the steadily declining population is also more limited distribution. This happens because it is caused by the conversion of forests as a habitat for rhinos, plantations, settlements, and exploitation of space for various purposes. Hunting of two species of rhinoceros also has a long history, so that a distribution in some places have been lost; as well as the habitat that has been designated as a conservation area too, the population in the last 35 years continues to decline. Therefore both the rhino species has been categorized by the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) as critical or threatened species (Critical Endangered Species), highly endangered species. Due to the critical status, then efforts were made to save him. But it seems these efforts have not maximized, because not all potential or the ability multi-party support to carry out rescue from extinction

Kajian Sosial Ekonomi Dan Persepsi Masyarakat Lokal Terhadap Reintroduksi Badak Jawa

Program reintroduksi menjadi pilihan terakhir upaya penyelamatan badak jawa (Rhinoceros sondaicus Desmarest, 1822) dari kepunahan dengan menciptakan suatu meta populasi di habitat-habitat alternatif yang pernah menjadi daerah sebarannya. Selain perlu studi kesesuaian dan kelayakan habitat, juga perlu kajian faktor-faktor eksternal non teknis yang dapat mempengaruhi keberhasilan program reintroduksi antara lain kondisi sosial-ekonomi, persepsi, dan dukungan masyarakat di sekitar calon habitat kedua. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memperoleh informasi tentang kondisi sosial-ekonomi, persepsi, dan sikap masyarakat di sekitar calon habitat serta faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhinya. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Gunung Honje (Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon) dan Gunung Halimun (Taman Nasional Gunung Halimun-Salak). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa secara umum masyarakat sekitar calon habitat kedua badak jawa di Gunung Honje dan Gunung Halimun adalah petani dengan tingkat kesejahteraan rendah dan ketergantungan terhadap sumberdaya hutan yang tinggi. Dukungan terhadap program reintroduksi badak oleh responden sekitar Gunung Honje hanya 46%, dan dari responden sekitar Gunung Halimun 23%. Sementara penolakan dari responden sekitar Gunung Honje 24% dan penolakan dari responden sekitar Gunung Halimun mencapai 54%. Sikap, dukungan atau penolakan terhadap reintroduksi badak dari responden sekitar Gunung Honje secara sangat signifikan dipengaruhi oleh status mereka (perambah/bukan perambah), citra taman nasional di mata masyarakat dan persepsi terhadap hutan, taman nasional, dan badak. Sementara di sekitar Gunung Halimun dipengaruhi secara signifikan oleh citra taman nasional dan sangat signifikan oleh persepsi masyarakat terhadap hutan, taman nasional, dan badak

Now or never: what will it take to save the Sumatran rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis from extinction?

In 1994 Alan Rabinowitz decried what he regarded as lackadaisical attempts by governments, NGOs and international funding agencies to conserve the Sumatran rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis. Sixteen years on it is timely to evaluate whether his warnings were heeded. We review the current conservation status of D. sumatrensis throughout its range and the latest threats and challenges complicating efforts to conserve this species. Recent data from governments, NGOs and researchers indicate that the global population could be as low as 216, a decline from c. 320 estimated in 1995. Based on lessons learnt and expert opinions we call on decision makers to focus on two core strategies for conservation of D. sumatrensis: (1) the translocation of wild individuals from existing small, isolated or threatened forest patches into semi-in situ captive breeding programmes, and (2) a concomitant enhancement of protection and monitoring capacities in priority areas that have established these breeding facilities or have recorded relatively high population estimates and track encounter rates. At least USD 1.2 million is required to implement these strategies annually in four priority areas: Bukit Barisan Selatan and Way Kambas National Parks on Sumatra, and Danum Valley Conservation Area and Tabin Wildlife Reserve on Sabah. Given that conservation funds are rarely secure and D. sumatrensis is still in decline we call on potential donors to help secure and augment existing capacities of organizations in these four priority areas before committing resources to elucidate the status of the species in other areas such as Gunung Leuser and Taman Negara National Parks

Summary of Sumatra-wide field survey effort for each landscape.

<p>*I = global priority; II = regional priority; III = long-term priority.</p>1<p>Kerinci Seblat National Park and Batang Hari Protection Forest and their surrounding forests.</p>2<p>Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park and Bukit Balai Rejang Selatan.</p>3<p>Pasir Pangaraian, Giam Siak, Duri, Balaraja, Tapung.</p>4<p>Tesso Nilo, Bukit Bungkuk, Bukit Rimbang-Baling, Bukit Batabuh, Bukit Tigapuluh, Kerumutan.</p>5<p>Dangku, Bukit Duabelas, Berbak.</p

Estimated Sumatran tiger site occupancy and sites with actual indirect tiger sign detections (black dots).

<p>Estimated Sumatran tiger site occupancy and sites with actual indirect tiger sign detections (black dots).</p

Sumatran tiger site occupancy () and density () estimates for the best model, averaged for each study area.

<p>The two right-most columns show the estimates conditional to the data observed. Standard errors are shown in brackets.</p