Studi Perilaku Harian Gajah Sumatera (Elephas maximus sumatranus) di Pusat Konservasi Gajah (PKG) Padang Sugihan

Sari

Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is a subspecies of asian elephant. The population of Sumatran Elephants has decreased drastically from 5,000 in 1980 to 1970 in 2013 [1] . The decline in the population of Sumatran Elephants has also become concern of IUCN’s word conservation agency (International Union for Conservation of Nature) which determines the Sumatran Elephant as an critically endangered species [2]. A drastic decline in population caused by hunting for elephant ivory, disruption of natural habitat, and frequent conflicts between Sumatran Elephants and humans.. This research aims to determine the daily behavior of Sumatran Elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) at the Padang Sugihan Elephant Conservation Center (PKG), Padang Sugihan Wildlife Reserve, Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra on two adult male elephants and adult female elephants observed at 07.00-17.00 WIB except at intervals 13.00-14.00 WIB for 14 days. Daily behavior data were collected using the focal animal sampling method for 9 hours by recording each 5 minute period. As for the results of daily behavior observations of adult male elephants, namely: feeding 47.44%, moving 39.37%, resting 0.00%, social 3.37%, salting 0.00%, 3.37% defecating, wallowing 0.00 %, colling down 5,52%. While in adult female elephants, namely: feeding 42.03%, moving 37.21%, resting 1.81%, social 4.81%, salting 0.30%, defecating 3.01%, wallowing 3.91%, colling down 6.92%. Male Sumatran Elephants are dominant in feeding activity; move; defecation. While, female Sumatran Elephants are dominant in resting activities; social; salt; wallow; and colling down.