Sumatran Elephant Research Articles

Morphological and molecular identification of Pfenderius heterocaeca (Trematode: Paramphistomoidea) from Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus).

Background and Aim:Paramphistomiasis is common in tropical countries such as Indonesia and affects livestock and various endemic wild animals such as Sumatran elephants. However, the specific species of paramphistomoid worm that causes paramphistomiasis are rarely reported. The study aims at identifying paramphistomoid worm that infects Sumatran elephants.Materials and Methods:Flukes were collected from the feces of five semi-captive Sumatran elephants that lived at Tegal Yoso Elephant Response Unit in Way Kambas National Park, in 2018, after treatment of oxyclozanide 1 g at the dose of approximately 5-8 mg/kg of body weight. Eight paramphistomoid worms were flattened and stained in Semichon’s carmine for morphological identification, and five other worms were used for molecular identification at second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) of ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid sequence.Results:Forty-five flukes were collected from five Sumatran elephants in Lampung, Indonesia. Eight paramphistomoid worms were morphologically identified as Pfenderius heterocaeca and five isolates did not show any variation in ITS-2. Phylogenetic analysis showed that there was a close genetic relationship between our sample and Chiorchis fabaceus that had a family similar to the samples.Conclusion:Based on the morphological and molecular characteristics, the paramphistomoids found in Sumatran elephant on Way Kambas National Park are P. heterocaeca.

Telomere shortening rate predicts species life span.

Telomere shortening to a critical length can trigger aging and shorter life spans in mice and humans by a mechanism that involves induction of a persistent DNA damage response at chromosome ends and loss of cellular viability. However, whether telomere length is a universal determinant of species longevity is not known. To determine whether telomere shortening can be a single parameter to predict species longevities, here we measured in parallel the telomere length of a wide variety of species (birds and mammals) with very different life spans and body sizes, including mouse (Mus musculus), goat (Capra hircus), Audouin's gull (Larus audouinii), reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), and Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus). We found that the telomere shortening rate, but not the initial telomere length alone, is a powerful predictor of species life span. These results support the notion that critical telomere shortening and the consequent onset of telomeric DNA damage and cellular senescence are a general determinant of species life span.

POTENSI HUTAN RAWA AIR TAWAR SEBAGAI ALTERNATIF EKOWISATA BERBASIS KONSERVASI GAJAH SUMATERA (Elephas maximus sumatranus)

Abstract. This study aims to determine the potential of fresh water swamp forest as alternative ecotourism of Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus). The data collection of flora was done by the printed path method, with sampling intensity (IS) 10% so that obtained 34 observation plots; then elephants behaviors were taken at 07.00 - 17.00 WIB for 7 days. The data behaviors of elephants were recorded using a sampling scan method, for 60 minutes by recording the incidence of behavior within 60 seconds. Data were analyzed by calculating the important value index, the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, and descriptif analysis. The results showed that there were 25 types of vegetation with 5 species that have the highest important index value. The diversity of vegetation types based on Shannon-Wiener's diversity index is moderate, 99% of species found are natural feeds favored by Sumatran elephants. Most of the elephant activity is eating (32%), 17% group, 17% rest, and exploring as much as 12%, while salting is done when elephants feel the need for minerals. The management can do reforestation to increase the diversity of vegetation type, especially the Sumatran elephant's natural food species, so that its existence can support the preservation of elephant and educational tourism based on Sumatran elephant conservation.

Daily Activity of Elephant Allomothers (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Tangkahan Conservation Response Unit (CRU) Area, Langkat, North Sumatera

Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is a social animal living in groups. A group of elephant is called herd consists of male, female, allomother and calf. Non-parenting females are called allomother with the role of maintaining calves from other females. In daily activity, allomother may also display a typical infant handling which is valuable for studying interaction between them. This study will describe the daily activity of elephant allomother in Tangkahan Conservation Response Unit (CRU) Area, Langkat, North Sumatera. Methodology used was focal animal sampling with continuous sampling of data record. Object in this study were two allomothers, namely Ardana and Sari with three calves, namely Christopher, Albertina and Eropa. Daily activities of allomothers were recorded as Defecating (DF), Urinating (UR), Mudding (MU), Resting (RE), Mating (MT), Salting (ST), Feeding (FE), Parenting (PR), Drinking (DR) and Walking (WK). We recorded 19,569 sample points from allomother daily activities with Ardana having 10,838 points and Sari having 8,821 points. The longest duration of activity recorded were: Parenting (PR) with 5,807.13 min, Walking (WK) with 5,695.50 min and Feeding (FE) with 3,842.71 min. The shortest duration recorded was Mating (MT) with only 18.96 min while remaining activities lasting between 346.25 to 614.63 min. Duration of daily activities is directly proportional to the percentage of frequency performed by allomothers.

The road to deforestation: Edge effects in an endemic ecosystem in Sumatra, Indonesia

Worldwide, roads are a main driver of deforestation and degradation as they increase forest access along the forest edge. In many tropical areas, unofficial roads go unreported and unrecorded, resulting in inaccurate estimates of intact forested areas. This is the case in central Sumatra, which boasts populations of critically endangered Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatrensis), tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) and other endemic flora and fauna that make the area globally unique. However, maps do not reflect the reality of forest loss in the area. Here we present new maps from 2002 and 2016 of digitized and ground-truthed roads in one of Sumatra’s unique lowland tropical protected areas, Tesso Nilo National Park. Using our newly created roads dataset, we examine the distribution of forest with respect to distance to roads. Our data show >2,400 km of roads within the national park in 2016 –nearly a 10-fold increase from roads known in 2002. Most forest (82–99%) within Tesso Nilo falls within 100 m, 500 m, and 1000 m of road edges. Length of road increased 157% and road density increased from 1.06 km/km2 to 2.63 km/km2 from 2002–2016. Our results suggest that this endemic ecosystem is facing substantial threat from roads and their associated impacts. Without swift management action, such as road closures and increased enforcements by park management, this ecosystem, and its endemic wildlife, could be lost. It is imperative that protected areas worldwide more rigorously consider roads and road effects on ecosystem fragmentation in their conservation plans.

RECENT OBSERVATIONS OF Elephas maximus sumatranus IN SEMBILANG NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH SUMATRA

Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) are one of four Asian elephants subspecies, which are categorized as Critically Endangered by the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature) since 2011. Some factors that might drive this species into extinction ranges from wild attacks in the forest, habitat degradation due to land acquisition for plantation and development areas, and human slaughter because they regard these animals as enemies that sometimes enter community settlements. Elephants in Sembilang National Park is an interesting issue because it has not been registered as key species in Sembilang National Park, as well as no authentic evidence and official reports about the existence of elephants in the park. This paper proves the existence of elephants in Sembilang National Park, South Sumatra. The elephant documentation is in the form of photos and videos of 4 different elephant individuals, footage, cruising lanes and elephant puddles. Evidence of the existence of elephants in Sembilang National Park strongly indicates that future actions, participation and attention of all stakeholders are needed to the conservation efforts of the biggest Sumatran mammals in Sembilang National Park

Niche partitioning on Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) and human in space and resources in Riau, Indonesia

Abstract. Sukmantoro YW, Alikodra HS, Kartono AP, Efransjah. 2019. Niche partitioning on Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) and human in space and resources in Riau, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1362-1373. Research on elephant and human niches at Balai Raja and Tesso Nilo have been done for 6 years (2012-2017). The study was conducted by recording the distribution of elephants and communities. The distribution of elephants was identified through an installed GPS Collar in 3 groups of elephants (Butet, Angelina and Desma) since 2012. In 2016, data collection of resources was done through OLI 8+ Landsat imagery and records from the field. From the results of the study, elephants (Desma, Angelina and Butet groups) and humans have significantly different niches in space, but in terms of resources, all three elephant groups are almost the same to use them. In the context of niche partitioning of resources, Desma group used more thenatural forest, swamp and wasteland areas than the communities. InTesso Nilo, elephants groups used more open land than the communities.The overlapping between elephant and human creates human-elephant conflicts. For this reason, strengthening the niche partitioning strategy in space and resources can be a solution to conflict reduction. In addition, if elephants with humans are forced to live in the same space and resources, they develop strategies of neutralism or coexistence. For the community, converting plant commodities in the direction of an elephant's dislike (still of economic value) can reduce losses for the community and create a non-disturbing relationship between elephant and human. Examples of what the community has done are cassava cultivation and timber industry concession strategy in planting Acacia which is relatively not detrimental to the company even though the plant is damaged by an elephant.

PERILAKU HARIAN GAJAH SUMATERA (Elephas maximus sumatranus) DI ELEPHANT RESPON UNIT TAMAN NASIONAL WAY KAMBAS LAMPUNG

Indonesia has a high wealth of flora and fauna, wealth is necessary guarded and preserved, one of the wealth fauna owned Indonesia is Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) . This study aims to record the daily behavior of Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Elephant Response Unit Way Kambas National Park Lampung. The method used is focal animal sampling. The method was chosen because it allows the observer to record any behavior that occurs suddenly and quickly by recording animal behavior at certain time intervals. The results obtained from six individual tame elephants that became objects named Karnangin, Aditya, Dona, Wulan, Elena, and Cory consisted of 13 daily behaviors which were dominated by eating. Daily behavior found differences on adult male elephants named Karnangin and Aditya commonly used for patrol activities and when not patrolling. Sumatran elephants need food availability like green plants in their habitat, because less perfect digestion of these animals requires very large amounts of food, 200 - 300 kg of biomass per day for each adult elephant tail or 5-10% of his body weight.Keywords: Daily Behavior, Focal Animal Sampling, Sumatran Elephants

Measuring the surrogacy potential of charismatic megafauna species across taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity on a megadiverse island

AbstractConservation organisations and governments often use charismatic megafauna as surrogates to represent broader biodiversity. While these species are primarily selected as “flagships” for marketing campaigns, it is important to evaluate their surrogacy potential, i.e. the extent to which their protection benefits other biodiversity elements. Four charismatic megafauna species are used as surrogates in the megadiverse island of Sumatra: the Sumatran tigerPanthera tigris sumatrae, Sumatran elephantElephas maximus sumatranus, Sumatran orangutanPongo abeliiand Sumatran rhinocerosDicerorhinus sumatrensis. We examined how well each of these species performed in representing the distribution of all co‐occurring terrestrial mammal species on the island, and the priority areas for the conservation of three facets of mammalian biodiversity (taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional).We used habitat suitability models to represent the distribution of 184 terrestrial mammal species, 160 phylogenetic groups and 74 functional trait groups. We then identified priority conservation areas using the spatial prioritisation software Zonation.We found that the habitat overlap between each of the four charismatic species and the other mammal species varied, ranging from a mean of 52% (SD = 27%) for the tiger to 2% (SD = 2%) for the rhino. Combining the four species together improved the representation levels only marginally compared to using the tiger only. Among the four charismatic megafauna species, the extent of suitable habitat of Sumatran tiger covered the highest proportion of priority conservation areas. The Sumatran tiger also outperformed most of other mammal species with similar range sizes.We found that some of the top‐ranked conservation areas for taxonomic (28%), phylogenetic (8%) and functional diversity (19%) did not overlap with any of the charismatic species’ suitable habitat.Synthesis and applications. Wide‐ranging charismatic species can represent broader mammalian biodiversity, but they may miss some key areas with high biodiversity importance. We suggest that a combination of systematic spatial prioritisation and surrogacy analyses are important in order to determine the allocation of conservation resources in biodiversity‐rich areas such as Sumatra, where an expansion of the protected area network is required.

Diversity of Avifauna at the Elephant Training Center Way Kambas National Park

Avifauna is one of the biodiversity that has a role in the ecosystem, namely as a seed spreader, helps pollination, and as an environmental bioindicator. The Elephant Training Center (PLG) is not only a conservation centre for Sumatran elephants but also serves as a habitat and preserves the diversity of all animals including avifauna species. One form of conservation efforts towards avifauna is to record the diversity of the avifauna species present in that location. This study aims to determine the diversity of bird species found in the Way Kambas National Park PLG. The study was conducted using the point count method at three observation locations: garden area, grassland, and swamp area with three repetitions. The results of the study found 33 species from 21 families (727 individuals) with moderate species diversity values (1 <H '<3). The diversity of bird species affects the existence of some species in a habitat so that it affects the quality of habitat and plays an important role as a bioindicator in an ecosystem. Bird conservation efforts need to be carried out and supported by all parties to maintain the existence of birds in their natural habitat.Key words: Avifauna, diversity, conservation, national park, elephant training center.

Morphology and morphometry of adult nematodes on Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Way Kambas National Park area, Indonesia.

Background and Aim:Worms from nematodes are the most numerous and the most detrimental in elephants. Most adult worms are located in the digestive tract. Nematode infection is at higher risk in young elephants, which caused several cases such as anemia, hypoalbuminemia, enteritis, and even death. This study aimed to determine the morphology and morphometry of adult nematodes on Sumatran elephants in Way Kambas National Park area.Materials and Methods:Nematode samples were obtained from Sumatran elephants’ feces (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Way Kambas National Park, Lampung Province, after being given Kalbazen® containing albendazole 1000 mg at a dose of 10 mg/kg by the veterinarian in charge of the National Park area. For the morphological and morphometric examinations, we used an Olympus BX 51 microscope equipped with Olympus DP 12 camera and were conducted at the Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis was carried out at the Biology Research Center of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia).Results:The results of macroscopic observations of the obtained nematodes showed that the nematodes which were found have the characteristics of round, slim, and white color. The size of a female worm was larger than a male worm. Microscopic examination in four anterior papillae indicated that the dorsal lobe in the copulatory bursa was longer than lateral lobe. The result of inspection with the SEM showed a leaf crown consisting of 10 elements, a pair of amphids laterally, and two pairs of papilla in a submedian region.Conclusion:Based on our morphology and morphometry examinations of adult nematodes in Sumatran elephant (E. maximus sumatranus) in Way Kambas National Park area, the adult nematodes which were found are species of Quilonia travancra.

Distribution and habitat preferences of Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Riau, Indonesia

Sukmantoro YW, Alikodra HS, Kartono AP, Efransjah. 2019. Distribution and habitat preferences of Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Riau, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 226-235. The research on elephant distribution and habitat preference was carried out in two locations Balai Raja and Tesso Nilo, Riau Province, Indonesia on 2012-2016. Three GPS Collars were installed on one individual adult female at Balai Raja (Desma) and two individuals at Tesso Nilo (Angelina and Butet). For the elephants’ habitat, the forest cover identification was performed by spectral color analysis on the 8 ETM+ Landsat images and resulted in land cover detail on MCP (Minimum Convex Polygon), and 50% and 95% fix kernel density of movement of the elephant including in the morning, the day and the night. Based on MCP estimation, Desma habitat area was 328.86 km2, while Angelina and Butet were 632.57 km2 and 701.60 km2, respectively. Land cover in MCP indicated that the oil palm, mixed agriculture, and rubber were dominantly areas used by Desma, while acacia, forest and oil palm plantation were dominantly area used by Angelina and Butet. In habitat preferences, Desma preferred forests and swamp areas to day activity. However, Angelina and Butet selected acacia plantation, forest, infrastructures such as the mills and land opening as the location of movement. Water bodies and shrub were not widely used for the elephants’ activities. This study indicated that the pattern of habitat selection is a strategy for elephants to avoid conflict with the human. Although resources are limited, the habitat selection can reduce conflict incidence.

Conflict between human and wild Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus Temminck, 1847) in Aceh Province, Indonesia

Qomariah IN, Rahmi T, Said Z, Wijaya A. 2019. Conflict between human and wild Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus Temminck, 1847) in Aceh Province, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 77-84. Aceh Province has the largest habitat for Sumatran elephant. However, the elephant population in the province keeps decreasing due to frequent conflict with humans. This study aimed to observe the trend and pattern of Human-elephant Conflict (HEC) in Aceh, as well as the main causes driving the conflict. To collect information, we carried out desk study, secondary data collection, and interviews with relevant actors in Aceh Jaya, Pidie, and Aceh Timur District. We collected data of HEC during the 2012-2017 period in 16 districts across Aceh. The result shows that during the six years, there were 262 HEC cases occurred in Aceh, where Aceh Timur and Aceh Jaya contributed the highest number of HEC incidence, with 47 and 44 cases respectively. Maximum Entropy analysis shows that the main factor causing the conflict is “Distance from the human settlement” with 84.7% contribution, followed by “Primary forest loss” (14.1% contribution). From the findings, we suggest reforestation in areas that becomes elephant home range and creation of barriers within the conservation forest boundaries. Moreover, HEC mitigation action should also be incorporated in provincial spatial planning (Rencana Tata Ruang Wilayah - Provinsi) to minimize further economic loss and wildlife extinction.

Analysis of land use change and its relation to land potential and elephant habitat at Besitang Watershed, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Kuswanda W, Sunandar AD. 2019. Analysis of land use change and its relation to land potential and elephant habitat at Besitang Watershed, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 350-358. Land use change from forest into plantation at a watershed could be detrimental both for humans and wildlife. This study was aimed to analyze land use change and its impact on the habitat potential of Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus Temminck, 1857) in the upstream of Besitang Watershed located at Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP), North Sumatra, Indonesia. The study was conducted from April to November 2015. Data collection was made through land cover map analysis, ground check and vegetation analysis using strip transect method. Land use change was analyzed using ArcView 3.2 software, species diversity was calculated using Shannon-Weiner formula and community evenness indices. Based on map delineation, total extent of Besitang Watershed is about 95,428 hectares. The analysis results showed that, in the past 25 years, about 15,989 hectares of land was changed from forests and farms to monoculture plantations. These changes have caused conflicts and threatened elephant population. As many as 168 species of plants were identified during vegetation analysis in the three study locations, namely Bukit Mas primary forest (88 species), Sekundur mixed secondary forest (91 species) and Halaban secondary forest (68 species). Average Importance Value Index (IVI) was below 40% which indicates that there are no dominant plant species. Tree density was between 360 and 497,5 individual/ha, sapling density was between 2,640 and 4,680 individual/ha, and density of seedling and understory plants was between 27,750 and 38,500 individual/ha. Species diversity index for each plant growth stage was relatively high (H’>3) and the similarity of plant species across locations was generally low (IS = <50%). Analysis of the correlation between land cover differences and habitat features showed statistically significant effects on species density and frequency. The highest effect of land cover change is on species density with the correlation reaching 94.5%. Forests in GLNP will be able to regenerate naturally to reach a stable state if there is no more land clearing to raise plantations.

Evaluation of Human—Elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) Conflict in Aceh Province, Indonesia

The occurrence of human-elephant conflict varies and extends in the elephant’s home ranges. In general, the conflict is generated by the damage of agricultural crops. The purpose of this study is to evaluate conflict from the wild elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Aceh Province. This study was conducted in five sub-dictricts (Cot Girek, Mane, Meureudu, Sampoiniet and Pante Ceureumen) with documented human-elephant conflicts byusing interview and questionnaires methods. The data were obtained from the communities directly affected by elephant crop raiding, as well as indigenous leaders and local government officials. The data collected includes causes of human-elephant conflict and typology of human-elephant conflict in Aceh Province. The data are analyzed in descriptions to give a specific picture of the cause of human-elephant conflict and its typology in Aceh. The results showed that expansion of agricultural land, plantations, settlements and forestry industries directly affect the reduction of elephant habitat, which may cause human-elephant conflict. The typology of human-elephant conflicts are; damaging plants/vegetation, damaging cottages and community houses, attacking human and/or elephants killed by humans. The study gives a special illustration of human-elephant conflicts which may facilitate the effort and participation of the community to mitigate future conflicts in Aceh.

Food preference of Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) to commodity crops in human-elephant conflict area of Aceh, Indonesia

Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) experiences several conflict with human in rural population. Commodity crops tend to be destroyed or consumed by the elephants during crop raiding due to availability of palatable plants species. Comprehensive data and information are needed to synthesis conservation strategy towards their disturbance in human area. The study was aimed to obtain preferred commodity plant species by the elephants using electivity index. The study site was located in Elephant Conservation Centre, Saree, Aceh, Indonesia. The research was designed as to follow restricted feeding of several identified crops such as: areca palm (Areca catechu), banana (Musa sp.), oil palm (Elais gueenensis), rice (Oryza sativa), rubber tree (Hevea brassiliensis), cacao tree (Theobroma cocoa), coffee (Coffea arabica), chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens), candlenut (Aleurites moluccana), and patchouli (Pogostemon cablin). The results showed three commodity plant which were not preferred by the elephants such as: chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens), candlenut (Aleurites moluccana), coffee (Coffea arabica), patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), and cocoa tree (Theobroma cocoa) and were further categorized as low palatability for elephants. The results then reflect a promising act by planting those species near elephant’s habitat in order to reduce frequency of elephant raiding into rural area.

Concentration Of Cortisol Metabolites In Captive Sumatran Elephants At Elephant Conservation Facilities In Aceh

This study was conducted to validate the DRG Cortisol ELISA EIA-1887 Germany kit for measure the concentration of stress hormone metabolites (cortisol) from the feces and its correlation to the stressor factor in captive elephants in PKG and CRU of Aceh. These factors are location, diet and presence of livestock. There is no special treatment, observation based on the activity, behavior or natural condition of the animals. The sampling technique was non invasive, fresh dung samples of each (±20 gram) were collected from 25 elephants in CRU and PKG. Feces taken in the morning (before the animals are bathed) along with the observation of animal behavior. All samples were collected and stored at -200C until the analysis process. The validation test are analytic (parallelilmsm) and biological validation test. The analytic test result (paralillsm), showed that the sample curve was not parallel to the standard curve, but crossed the standard curve. While the results of biological validation test, DRG Cortisol ELISA EIA-1887 Germany kit can measure the concentration of cortisol hormone feces of Sumatran elephant and able to describe the difference of cortisol concentration relation to physiological events (stress vs non-stress). The mean values of cortisol metabolite concentrations from PKG Saree (Komplek PKG and Hutan Seunapet), Sampoiniet CRU, Cot Girek, Das Peusangan, Meulaboh and Aceh Timur were (577 ng/g and 400 ng/g), 435ng /g, 419ng /g, 517ng / g, 401ng/g and 425ng /g. The measurement results correlate with the physiological conditions and observed factors.

Study of Characteristics of The Conflict Between The Sumatera Elephant (Elephas maximus Sumatranus) with Communities around Tesso Nilo National Park, Riau

Human-elephant conflict is one of main issues in wildlife conservation. The trigger of human-elephant conflict is forest convertion in Tesso Nilo National Park. A study about characteristic of human elephant conflict has been conducted from March until April 2016 in some area of the park including Lubuk Kembang Bunga and Air Hitam villages, Riau Province, Indonesia. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of dispute area have been and land use in the park. A survey and interview have been conducted to 30 local inhibitans. Lubuk Kembang Bunga and Air hitam villageswere located near by the elephant forest habitat (0-10 km) with elevation 0f 200-100 m above the sea level. The area mostly flat and close to rivers. The elephant attack palm oil and rubber plantation. Historical change of land use at Tesso Nilo National Park from 2004 to 2016 has proved to damaged the elephant habitat, while the elephants come to the plantation where they had ranged in the past time.

STUDI ETNOBOTANI TUMBUHAN PANGAN YANG TIDAK DIBUDIDAYAKAN OLEH MASYARAKAT LOKAL SUB-ETNIS BATAK TOBA, DI DESA PEADUNGDUNG SUMATERA UTARA, INDONESIA

Elephant dung is a source of methane gas, which the gas is the main contributor to greenhouse gas if not used as fuel. Wild elephants use grass leaves as their feed, but in Ragunan Wildlife Park, elephants are fed also with a combination of elephant grass, sweet potatoes, maize, and bananas, which aim to meet immediate nutritional needs and ensure their health. Therefore, this study examined the biogas production of elephant feces associated with the feed given. The purpose of this study is to investigate the contribution of biogas that is emitted from the elephant feces as a result of two kinds of feed, which were elephant grass and combination of elephant grass, sweet potatoes, maize, and bananas. Previously, the elephants were acclimatized for 4 days with the two types of feed. Fermentation of the feces was conducted by using simple fermenters by volume of 3.42 L for 28 days and performed measurements of temperature, pH, concentration of ammonia, concentration of volatile fatty acids, substrate degradation and production of biogas. The result showed that the composition of feed affects the physico-chemical characteristics of the feces, production of ammonia and volatile fatty acids, substrate degradation and production of biogas. The feces of Sumatran elephant fed with elephant grasses has higher potential for decomposition to mineralization into biogas and produce a higher proportion of methane gas carbon dioxide, than those fed with the combinated feed. This result needs to be a concern because with the fiber-rich feed like in their natural habitats, elephants have the potential to emit higher gas emissions. Therefore the biogas released from the elephant feces or other animals should be processed and utilized to meet the energy needs in the wildlife park itself.

Comparative Cytogenetic Study on Male and Female Captive Sumatran Elephant in Elephant Training Center, Way Kambas National Park

Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) was one of five big mammals in Way Kambas National Park (WKNP). Cytogenetic study was a part of conservation effort for sumatran elephant, especially in conservation genetic field. Captive sumatran elephant’s blood in Elephant Training Center (ETC) WKNP was collected to karyotype analysis. Captive sumatran elephant’s chromosome was analyzed by squashing technique with pretreating cells in a hypotonic solution. The study of karyotypes were made by giemsa staining applied to captive elephant’s blood cell. The diploid number of captive sumatran elephant was 56 both in male and female. The karyotype analysis performed different fundamental number in male and female, both of total fundamental number (FN) and autosomal fundamental number (FNa). Chromosome of female sumatran elephant showed the FN = 8, and FNa = 6, but in male sumatran elephant FN = 7, and FNa = . The karyotypes of X chromosome was large submetacentric and Y chromosome was small acrocentric.. The karyotype presented here will compilled with DNA fingerprinting analysis of all captive sumatran elephant in ETC WKNP as references in future breeding policy.