Activity Budget And Space Utilization Of Captive Bornean Orangutan
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Date
2017-06
Authors
Zainol, Muhammad Zaki
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Endemic to Malaysia and Indonesia, Bornean Orangutan (P. pygmaeus) was declared to be critically endangered in 2016 because of extensive deforestation and other human caused pressures. Rescued orangutans were sent to rehabilitation centers and those that unable to be release will be occupying captive centers i.e. zoo. The orangutans that unable to be released could be utilized as educational subject on wildlife learning. Hence, it is crucial to preserve orangutan natural behavior. Proper designed enclosure including suitable social group and intensive care must be provided to make this happen. This study was carried out to determine captive orangutan activity budget, space utilization and to study what are the captivity worker’s motivational factors. To assess the behavioral and space utilization data, focal sampling was done for a total of 4,200 minutes at three captive centers in Malaysia namely Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island (BMOUI), Taiping Zoo and Kemaman Zoo. In-depth interview also carried out at the same locations for a total of 25 respondents to determine their motivational factors. Orangutan activity budget at all sites were found to be dominated by ‘resting’ (60%). Zero aggression behavior was recorded and other movement i.e. walking, climbing and hanging was minimal. The activity patterns have no significant different among sites. However, age group does showed differences on activity patterns. The most preferred level by the orangutans was level ‘0’; ground level (44%) and followed by level ‘3’-10 m < x < 20 m (33%) and the least preferred level was level ‘4’-x>20 m with only 5%. The highest motivational factor recorded was ‘commodity’ (37%) followed by ‘environmental’ (35%) and ‘conservation’ (22%). The least factor was “personal choice’ for only 6%. Space preferences of orangutan did affect their behavior and daily activity budgets as well as social interaction.
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Keywords
Activity budget and space utilization , of captive Bornean orangutan