Home range size, density estimation and food of Malayan tapirs (tapirus indicus) at Krau wildlife reserve

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Date
2010-02
Authors
Abd Gani, Siti Khadijah Binti
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Abstract
This study was conducted in Krau Wildlife Reserve from November 2002 to May 2007 using camera-trapping, radio telemetry, direct observation and line transect techniques. it took over 698 trap-nights to accumulate 295 photographic captures of Malayan tapirs or 21 identified individuals, which constituted 73.37% of the total wildlife photos. An estimated density of Malayan tapirs is 7 individuals/1 00km2 with the estimated population size between 28 to 32 individuals. It is clearly showed that 100.00% of the photographs are recorded in between 2000 until 0600. None of the photograph is recorded in the day (0700 until 1900). Malayan tapirs were recorded significantly more often at Bayek Saltlick than other areas (p<O.OS, t-test). For the purposes of studying home range, five individuals were fitted with transmitters named Siti (adult ~). Sanusi and Manja (adult J), Adik Merdeka (sub adult J) and Akak Ramadhan (sub adult~). Only point locations of Adik Merdeka, Akak Ramadhan and Manja reached asymptote for the cumulative area curve. All three collared individuals were recorded significantly · more often at Bayek Saltlick than other areas (p<O.OS, t-test). As for and monthly home range, it increased accordingly to the percentage increament. This study discovered that the first month after the individual being captured, its home range pattern showed uneven pattern. It is assumed that this pattern is showed due to post-stress effect after individuals were exposed to human contact. Indirectly it shows that after being captured, each individual needs at least one month duration to develop its normal home range pattern. The largest home range is recorded by subadult male with 0. 73±0.13km2 followed by adult male with 0.60±0.09km2 and subadult female with 0.52±0.14km2 . However, there is·no difference between respective individuals. The subadults were sharing its home range during the study. A total of 138 plants of species from 15 families and 24 genuses were recorded eaten on both sides of a 800m length of trail. This study revealed that Malayan tapir was selective browser rather than generalist.
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Keywords
Density estimation , Malayan tapirs (tapirus indicus) , Krau wildlife reserve
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