Kepadatan Populasi Gajah Sumatera (Elephas maximus sumatranus) di Desa Sekitar Kawasan SPTN VI Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser

Abstract

Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is one of the key species of Gunung Leuser National Park with Critically Endangered status. Director General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (2007), about 2,400-2,800 individuals. The latest data in 2021 estimated around 924-1,359 individual Sumatran elephants. During 2010-2022 the number even decreased by 183 individuals killed due to poaching and conflict with humans. Estimating population density in an area is very important so that conservation efforts can be effective. Based on this, this study was conducted to estimate the population density of elephants in the area. This study aims to estimate the population density and analyze the distribution point of Sumatran elephant dung in the village around the SPTN VI area of Gunung Leuser National Park. The method used in the research is observation research with the transect line method carried out in 3 different locations by counting piles of dung. The highest population density of Sumatran elephants based on dung is found in Bukit Selamat Village with a value of 0.778 individuals/km², and the lowest in Bukit Mas Village which is 0.586 individuals /km². There are four areas where Sumatran elephant dung is mostly found in plantations, forests, shrubs, and agriculture.