Perilaku Makan Induk dan Anak Gajah Sumatera (Elephas Maximus-Sumatranus) di Conservation Response Unit (Cru) Tangkahan, Langkat, Sumatera Utara

Abstract

The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus-sumatranus) is a subspecies of the asian elephant found on the island of Sumatra. Sumatran elephants consume various types of plants in nature. Mother and calves are thought to consume the same types of natural fodder plants. When an elephant consumes natural food, the elephant will show different behavior of the feed processing depends on the plant consumed. The aims of the research was to determine the pattern of feeding behavior, the food processing behavior and the types of natural fodder plants consumed by the mother and calves of sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus-sumatranus). The main objects of this research consisted of two mother elephants (Agustin and Yuni) and two calves (Cristopher and Albertina). The methods used was focal animal sampling by using continuous recording and exploration. The research site was located at Tangkahan CRU area. The elephant behaviours were observed for 70 hours with a total duration of 4.200 minutes per individual. Based on the observation, the highest behaviors done by mother elephants were feeding behavior, which is Agustin (43.5%), Cristopher (38.8%), Yuni (45.8%) and Albertina (40.4%), respectively. In calves the highest behavior done was locomotion behavior, which is Agustin (36.8%), Cristopher (43.4%), Yuni (35.8%) and Albertina (42.6%). Meanwhile, the less frequent behavior done was found in defecation behavior, Agustin (3.2%), Cristopher (2.8%), Yuni (3.4%) and Albertina (3%). The highest behavior in processing feed was found in the behavior of pulling fodder plants with the trunks, Agustin (18.7%), Cristopher (17.1%), Yuni (19.9%), Albertina (17.2%). However, the lowest behavior was found in the behavior of stepping on feed with feet, Agustin (3.4%), Cristopher (3%), Yuni (3.3%) and Albertina (2.9%), respectively. There were 29th species from 21th families of natural fodder plants consumed by the elephants. The highest frequency of plants consumed by the parent and calf were found in the plant species Echinocloa sp. and Axonopus compressus (Poaceae), and followed by Eberhardtia aurata (Sapotaceae).

Gajah sumatera (Elephas maximus-sumatranus) merupakan subspesies dari gajah asia yang terdapat di Pulau Sumatera. Gajah sumatera mengkonsumsi berbagai jenis tumbuhan di alam. Induk dan anak gajah diduga mengkonsumsi jenis tumbuhan pakan alami yang sama. Ketika gajah mengkonsumsi pakan alami, maka gajah tersebut akan memperlihatkan perilaku mengolah pakan terhadap masing-masing jenis tumbuhan yang dikonsumsi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pola perilaku makan, perilaku mengolahan pakan dan jenis tumbuhan pakan alami yang dikonsumsi oleh induk dan anak gajah sumatera (Elephas maximus-sumatranus). Objek utama pada penelitian ini terdiri dari dua ekor induk gajah (Agustin dan Yuni) dan dua ekor anak gajah (Cristopher dan Albertina). Metode yang digunakan yaitu focal animal sampling, continuous recording dan eksplorasi. Lokasi penelitian berada di CRU Tangkahan. Pengamatan dilakukan selama 70 jam dengan durasi selama 4.200 menit per individu. Perilaku tertinggi pada induk gajah yaitu perilaku makan, Agustin (43,5%), Cristopher (38,8%), Yuni (45,8%) dan Albertina (40.4%), sedangkan pada anak gajah perilaku tertinggi yaitu perilaku lokomosi, Agustin (36,8%), Cristopher (43,4%), Yuni (35,8%) dan Albertina (42,6%). Sementara itu, perilaku terendah terdapat pada perilaku defekasi, Agustin (3,2%), Cristopher (2,8%), Yuni (3,4%) dan Albertina (3%). Perilaku tertinggi dalam mengolah pakan terdapat pada perilaku menarik pakan dengan belalai Agustin (18,7%), Cristopher (17,1%), Yuni (19,9%), Albertina (17,2%). Selanjutnya, perilaku terendah terdapat pada perilaku menginjak pakan dengan kaki, Agustin (3,4%), Cristopher (3%), Yuni (3,3%) dan Albertina (2,9%). Jenis tumbuhan pakan alami yang dikonsumsi oleh induk dan anak gajah diperoleh 29 jenis dari 21 famili. Frekuensi tertinggi pada induk dan anak gajah terdapat pada jenis tumbuhan Echinocloa sp. dan Axonopus compressus (Poaceae). Selanjutnya, diikuti dengan Eberhardtia aurata (Sapotaceae).