In-situ kuskus conservation strategy in Wakasihu Village, West Leihitu District, Central Maluku District

Abstract

Kuskus, a marsupial species belonging to the Phalangeridae family that is vulnerable in the IUCN Redlist, is one of the endemic animals whose survival is currently very concerning due to habitat destruction and poaching, so conservation activities need to be carried out immediately. This study aims to identify the characteristics of the habitat, type of feed, and in situ conservation strategies in the Wakasiu forest, Leihitu Barat sub-district, Central Maluku district. This research was conducted in October 2020. Habitat characteristics were identified using vegetation analysis, forage types were identified using direct and indirect observations, and insitu conservation strategies using SWOT analysis. The highest index of importance at the tree level in the line of observation is the type of gayam (lnocarpus fagifer) (20.19%), at the level of weaning is the langsat species (70.32%) the level of the pole type of brown (69.27%). The diversity level of plant species is high and the level of evenness of plant species is even. There are 24 types of plants recorded as potential for special feed. The in-situ conservation strategy that is carried out is planting the type of feed preferred by the specialists, so as to provide a stable feed availability during the successive fruiting period. Apart from that, the restriction of hunting for specialties is through written regulations and the imposition of sanctions.