Traditional knowledge of biodiversity in the community surrounding Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve, Riau, Indonesia

The Objective of this study is to analyze the potential for biodiversity and traditional knowledge in the buffer zone of the Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve (GSK-BB). The research was conducted descriptively-quantitatively by analyzing two variables, i.e. biodiversity and community traditional knowledge. Biodiversity monitoring report documents from PT Sakato Pratama (PT SPM) and PT Bukit Batu Hutan Alam (PT BBHA), profiles of Temiang and Sepahat villages, questionnaire data taken from village community representatives, as well as the results of in-depth interviews were used in the analysis. The results show that in the PT SPM area, there are 177 species of plants and 55 species of animals. Meanwhile in the PT BBHA area there are 146 species of plants and 46 species of animals. Based on information from the community of Temiang Village, there are 51 species of plants and 18 species of animals, while according to the people of Sepahat Village, there are 73 species of plants and 83 species of animals. The biodiversity utilized by the community in the two villages consists of 36 species of plants and 15 species of animals, but only three species are wild animals, i.e. sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), horseshoecrab (Limulus sp.), and seahorse (Hippocampus sp.) .), and one species of plant (rattan, Calamus sp.). The rest are cultivated plants and livestock. From the analysis, it can be concluded that the relationship between biodiversity and traditional knowledge in both Temiang and Sepahat Villages is very limited. Awareness of the strategic value of wild plants and wildlife in the buffer zone of the biosphere reserve needs to be increased.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis potensi keanekaragaman hayati dan pengetahuan tradisional di zona penyangga Cagar Biosfer Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu (GSK-BB). Penelitian dilakukan secara deskriptif-kuantitatif dengan menganalisis dua variable, yaitu keanekaragaman hayati dan pengetahuan tradisional masyarakat. Dokumen laporan monitoring keanekaragaman hayati dari PT Sakato Pratama (PT SPM) dan PT Bukit Batu Hutan Alam (PT BBHA), profil Desa Temiang dan Sepahat, data kuisioner yang diambil dari perwakilan masyarakat desa, serta hasil wawancara mendalam digunakan dalam analisis. Hasil menunjukan bahwa di kawasan PT SPM tercatat terdapat 177 jenis tumbuhan dan 55 jenis satwa. Sementara itu di kawasan PT BBHA terdapat 146 jenis tumbuhan dan 46 jenis satwa. Berdasarkan informasi dari masyarakat Desa Temiang terdapat 51 jenis tumbuhan dan 18 jenis satwa, sedangkan menurut masyarakat Desa Sepahat terdapat 73 jenis tumbuhan dan 83 jenis satwa. Keanekaragaman hayati yang dimanfaatkan oleh masyarakat di kedua desa tersebut terdiri atas 36 jenis tumbuhan dan 15 jenis satwa, namun hanya tiga jenis yang merupakan hewan liar, yaitu beruang madu (Helarctos malayanus), belangkas (Limulus sp.), dan kuda laut (Hippocampus sp.), serta satu jenis tumbuhan (rotan, Calamus sp.). Selebihnya merupakan tanaman budidaya dan hewan ternak. Dari hasil analisis, dapat ditarik kesimpulan sementara bahwa hubungan keanekaragaman hayati dengan pengetahuan tradisional di kedua desa Temiang dan Sepahat sangat terbatas. Kesadaran tentang nilai strategis tumbuhan dan satwa liar yang ada di kawasan penyangga cagar biosfer perlu ditingkatkan.

Niche Overlap between Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii and Helarctos malayanus Raffles within Small Scale Habitat in Punggualas Area, Sebangau National Park

The Sebangau National Park is a major stronghold for Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) ranging from 6000 – 9000 individuals. In comparison with Bornean Orangutans, very little ecological fieldwork has been conducted to investigate sun bear biology, and there have been no thorough surveys of distribution or population densities. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the basic information on niche overlap between these two endangered species, specifically to quantify their relationship within the small-scale habitat in Punggualas area, SNP. Data was collected and measured during 15 – 21 June 2019; using line transects methods. A total of 6580 m was walked along 8 consecutive transects. Bear and aging sign follow Augeri protocols. A total 18 printed mark-claw and 17 Orangutan nests was measured according to the mentioned methodology. The relationships between signs use binary logistic regressions (StatPlus for Mac) and PCA model (using R), while interspecific relationships use Co-Occurrence modeling, ESP for Windows. The results showed that there is no difference between bear sign and orangutan nest (c2: 26.249; df :1, p-value : 0.001); While the results on habitat selection between transects is failed to reject the null hypothesis (c2 = 0.29; df :1, p-value : 0.490). The Mann-Whitney U test, also confirmed no distinctive overlap between the Orangutan and the Sun Bear (Z: 0.84; p-value: 0.40). The co-occurrence simulations also revealed significant results (C-Score = 1.00), by means both target animals co-existed in the habitat. Obviously, the Orangutan and Sun Bear occupy the same habitat. There is no distinctive overlap between them in terms of tree species selection and having a close interrelationship in terms of feeding ground, whereas the fruiting is not available. The only distinctive difference is that the Bear sign was tend hindering waterlogged terrain.

Os Metacarpale Sinistra Amputation on Moor Macaque (Macaca maura) in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

A case of comminuted fracture palm of the left hand on one female moor macaque (Macaca maura) that was attacked by a Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus) at Distrik Somba Opu Gowa and its successful surgical removal had been recorded. The female moor macaque was 2 years-old and weighing 10.5kg. Upon physical examination, the macaque was bleeding on the left hand and fractured at os metacarpale sinistra. The aim of the amputation was to save the life of the valuable animal that is protected by the law in Indonesia especially Ministry of Environment and Forestry regarding endangered species of plants and animals in addition to detracting morbidity (necrosis and gangrene) after the treatment. General anesthesia was administered to the female moor macaque and the amputation of the os metacarpale sinistra was performed. The moor macaque was completely recovered within two months after surgery. This is the first report describing the performance of comminuted fractures amputation in moor macaque which can be used further as a reference on proper urgent treatment of similar case to avoid worse condition that can be occure in the absence of immediate treatment.

Gross Morphological and Light Microscopic Studies of the Spleen of Malayan Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus)

Background: Bear specialist group recommended that the basic research on the Malayan sun bear is the highest priority need. Without such information, the establishment and implementation of scientifically-sound conservation plans is difficult. Therefore, present study was designed to provide information on gross morphological and light microscopic architecture of the spleen.Methods: The present study was conducted on the spleen of one Malayan sun bear. After doing the gross parameters the tissues were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and were processed for light microscopic studies. Blocks were cut at 6μ thickness by Leica Semimotorized Rotary Microtome and stained by Harris’ haematoxylin and eosin for routine study. Result: The spleen of Malayan sun bear was located in the left hypogastric region and entirely intrathoracic as the stomach was almost empty. The parietal surface faces the diaphragm and left lateral abdominal wall, whereas the visceral surface was divided into gastric face and intestinal face by the ridge like hilus. The spleen of Malayan Sun Bear was surrounded by a thick connective tissue capsule invested by the peritoneum. The capsule, trabeculae and reticular fibers support the splenic parenchyma composed of a red pulp and a white pulp.

The nominative technique: a simple tool for assessing illegal wildlife consumption

The aim of our study was to test the efficacy of the nominative technique for estimating the prevalence of wildlife part use within a small sample. We used the domestic consumption of bear Ursus thibetanus and Helarctos malayanus parts in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) as a case study and performed 179 semi-structured interviews in Luang Prabang, northern Laos, in August 2017 and April 2019. We also assessed whether the specialized questioning of the nominative technique could be used for qualitative data collection methods, such as semi-structured interviews. The technique theoretically ensures more accurate statements of illegal wildlife consumption by maintaining the anonymity of an individual's sensitive behaviour through asking about the behaviour of peers. We also directly asked about participants’ use of bear parts. The nominative technique suggested that c. 11% of the participants’ peers used bear parts, whereas respondents’ direct admittance of using bear parts was approximately double, at 23%. Use of bear parts appears not to be sensitive in northern Laos. In addition, we found a strong association between responses to questioning using the nominative technique and direct questioning, indicating that users of bear parts have social networks with higher levels of use. This lends supports to theories that use of wildlife products is directly influenced by social group. The underreporting resulting from use of the nominative technique indicates the high variability of response that can occur within small samples. However, our results show that the nominative technique may be a simple, useful tool for triangulating data, assessing users’ integration into social networks of use, and assessing changes in behaviour prevalence.

Epidemiology and pathological progression of erythematous lip lesions in captive sun bears (Helarctos malayanus)

This study investigates the occurrence of erythematous lip lesions in a captive sun bear population in Cambodia, including the progression of cheilitis to squamous cell carcinoma, and the presence of Ursid gammaherpesvirus 1. Visual assessment conducted in 2015 and 2016 recorded the prevalence and severity of lesions. Opportunistic sampling for disease testing was conducted on a subset of 39 sun bears, with histopathological examination of lip and tongue biopsies and PCR testing of oral swabs and tissue biopsies collected during health examinations. Lip lesions were similarly prevalent in 2015 (66.0%) and 2016 (68.3%). Degradation of lip lesion severity was seen between 2015 and 2016, and the odds of having lip lesions, having more severe lip lesions, and having lip lesion degradation over time, all increased with age. Cheilitis was found in all lip lesion biopsies, with histological confirmation of squamous cell carcinoma in 64.5% of cases. Single biopsies frequently showed progression from dysplasia to neoplasia. Eighteen of 31 sun bears (58.1%) had at least one sample positive for Ursid gammaherpesvirus 1. The virus was detected in sun bears with and without lip lesions, however due to case selection being strongly biased towards those showing lip lesions it was not possible to test for association between Ursid gammaherpesvirus 1 and lip squamous cell carcinoma. Given gammaherpesviruses can play a role in cancer development under certain conditions in other species, we believe further investigation into Ursid gammaherpesvirus 1 as one of a number of possible co-factors in the progression of lip lesions to squamous cell carcinoma is warranted. This study highlights the progressively neoplastic nature of this lip lesion syndrome in sun bears which has consequences for captive and re-release management. Similarly, the detection of Ursid gammaherpesvirus 1 should be considered in pre-release risk analyses, at least until data is available on the prevalence of the virus in wild sun bears.

Spatial Assessment of Potential Conflict of Sun Bear- Human Based on Landscape Ecology in Pasaman

The sun bear is conservation mammal in Indonesia. The ecological problems as conflict among mammals and human often happen around wildlife, the one of the case is the conflict between sun bear (helarctos malayanus) with human. In Pasaman where around the anthropogenic landscape is bounded by natural forest as sun bear habitat. In this decade, the story has recorded about ±16 incidents. The aim of this research is to geospatial modeling the area of potential conflict between sun bear- human. The method in this research is to use natural logarithmic and regression logistic. The tool is geographical information system and maximum entropy. The result of this research, there has found the distribute energy each variable landscape ecosystem. The statistical model of the potential conflict it has spread on landscape ecosystem. The average value of AUC prediction in this model is at number of 0.91. The variable contribution which affect are forest edge at number of 39.2%, the alternative food (plantation) at number of 31.4%, and forest fragmentation at number of 16.9%.