Spatial model of human-sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) conflict vulnerability in Besitang, Indonesia

Sumatran orangutan is one of the key species of wildlife that live in the Besitang forest landscape. Conflicts between sumatran orangutans and humans often occur along with the narrowing of sumatran orangutan habitat. The importance of knowing the distribution of locations at risk of human-wildlife conflict is expected to be used as a reference in efforts to mitigate the occurrence of human-wildlife conflict. This study aimed to get information about the vulnerability distribution of human-sumatran orangutan conflict (HSOC) based on influenced factors in Besitang. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method is used to select and weight the factors that are thought to influence the distribution of HSOC. Overlay analysis of the factors influencing HSOC distribution is done using Geographic Information System (GIS). The results of the study showed that the vulnerability of HSOC could be divided into three classes namely, the highly vulnerable areas of conflict are 35,282.16 ha (21.66), medium vulnerable areas are 55,662.57 ha (34.17%) and not vulnerable areas are 71,960.85 ha (44.17%). This research will be helpful as an early warning system in HSOC mitigation efforts.

Primate selfies and anthropozoonotic diseases: lack of rule compliance and poor risk perception threatens orangutans.

Our understanding of the transmission of anthropozoonotic diseases between humans and nonhuman primates, particularly great apes due to their close genetic relationship with humans, highlights a serious potential threat to the survival of these species. This is particularly the case at tourism sites where risk of disease transmission is increased. We focus on the interaction between tourists and the Critically Endangered Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) at Bukit Lawang in the Gunung Leuser National Park, Indonesia, before and after the park was closed due to the threat of Covid-19 in April 2020. Through analysis of posts on Instagram we determine the extent of compliance by visitors with the rule to keep a minimum distance of 10 meters from orangutans and assess the positional behaviours of the orangutans. Of the 2,229 photographs we assessed between November 2019 and July 2020, 279 depicted one or more orangutans. Forty-two of these contained both a human and an orangutan, and of these all showed inappropriate behaviours (direct contact, feeding orangutans, close proximity <5m) providing direct evidence of noncompliance with the 10m distance rule. Most of these photographs additionally showed orangutans performing abnormal positional behaviours such as being low to or on the ground rather than their natural high position in the canopy; being near the ground and in close proximity to humans increases the risk of anthropozoonotic disease transmission. As expected, we found a significant decrease in number of photographs that were posted following the closure, and a decrease in the proportion of photographs that showed orangutans or tourists feeding orangutans. Tourists do not seem to perceive that they pose risks to the orangutans and therefore increased awareness, education and enforcement of rules by all stakeholders, tourism bodies and government officials need to be actioned in order to safeguard this important population, which is crucial to the future survival of the Sumatran orangutan.

Vegetation structure of Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) habitat in North Sumatra, Indonesia

Zaitunah A, Samsuri, Ras S. 2021. Vegetation structure of Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) habitat in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 635-641. Gunung Leuser National Park forest in the Bukit Lawang section is the habitat of Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii). There have been reports of the orangutans visiting the village. As some tree species are required for their sustenance to provide nests and food, there is a need to study species diversity availability in their habitat. Thus, the aim of the research was to analyze the composition and structure of the area's vegetation-this was done for the forestand mixed plantation. The sampling for the measurement of tree parameters was conducted using the line strip method. The strips (width 50 m, length 250 m) were constituted by a sub-plot measuring for seedling, pole, sapling, and trees. Within the sampling area, 181 species were found. Species within Dipterocarpaceae showed higher important value index (IVI) compared to other species in all layers. Shorea parviflora and Shorea ovalis were among the species with higher IVI in all the layers. The presence of species of Dipterocarpaceae and other species preferred by orangutans will support their quality of life. Therefore, orangutans prefer staying in the forest to entering the garden. Thus, it is concluded that their entry into the mixed gardens is related to the garden's proximity to the forest. Conservation efforts are needed to minimize the conflict between man and orangutan in the surrounding area.

Accurate Sex Identification of Ancient Elephant and Other Animal Remains Using Low-Coverage DNA Shotgun Sequencing Data

Sex identification of ancient animal biological remains can benefit our understanding of historical population structure, demography and social behavior. Traditional methods for sex identification (e.g., osteological and morphometric comparisons) may be ineffective when animal remains are not well preserved, when sex distinguishing characteristics have not yet developed, or where organisms do not exhibit sex-associated phenotypic dimorphisms. Here we adapt a method developed for human sex determination so that it can be used to identify the sex of ancient and modern animal taxa. The method identifies sex by calculating the ratio of DNA reads aligning to the X chromosome to DNA reads aligning to autosomes (termed the Rx ratio). We tested the accuracy of this method using low coverage genomes from 15 modern elephants (Loxodonta africana) for which sex was known. We then applied this method to ancient elephant ivory samples for which sex was unknown, and describe how this method can be further adapted to the genomes of other taxa. This method may be especially useful when only low-coverage genomic data are obtainable. Furthermore, because this method relies on only the X and not the Y chromosome, it can be used to determine the sex of organisms for which a reference genome was obtained from a female or for which only the X chromosome is reported. Such taxa include the domestic cat, sheep, goat, and horse; and non-domesticated animals such as the Sumatran orangutan, western lowland gorilla and meerkat.

Identifikasi Lactobacillus sp pada Orangutan Sumatera (Pongo abelii) Liar Menggunakan KIT API 50 CHL di Stasiun Penelitian Suaq Belimbing Aceh Selatan

Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) has many benefits for human and animal health and has been widely used as a probiotic. One of the LAB is the genus Lactobacillus which consists of many species used for fermentation and food preservation. This study was conducted to isolate and identify the LAB of the genus Lactobacillus from the faeces of wild Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) at the Suaq Belimbing Research Station in South Aceh. Bacterial isolation was carried out using Man Rogosa Sharpe Agar (MRSA). Colonies that grew on MRSA media were observed for morphology and were Gram stained. Biochemical tests were conducted using KIT API 50 CHL. Data analysis used the Apiweb computer program Version V-5.2. The results showed that the OUL isolate was a species of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp delbrueckii, with an identity of 93.8%. Based on this, it can be concluded that there is a Lactic Acid Bacteria of the Lactobacillus in the faeces of wild Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) at the Suaq Belimbing Research Station in South Aceh.

The loud scratch: a newly identified gesture of Sumatran orangutan mothers in the wild

The communicative function of primates' self-directed behaviours like scratching has gained increasing attention in recent years, but their intentional use is still debated. Here, we addressed this issue by exploring the communicative function of ‘loud scratches’ in wild Sumatran orangutans. Building on previous studies in chimpanzees, we examined the prediction that audio-visual loud scratches are used communicatively in mother–infant travel coordination. Specifically, we examined whether individual, social and scratch features affected the use of pre-move scratches, markers of intentional signal use and approach responses. We analysed a total of 1457 scratching bouts, produced by 17 individuals (including four mothers and their dependent offspring) observed during 305 h of focal follows. Overall, we found that scratching bouts preceded departure mainly when these were produced by mothers and showed features of exaggeration. If the scratching individual was a mother, associates were more likely to be visually attentive during pre-move scratches than in other contexts. Approach or follow responses to scratches by individuals in association were predicted by context, the relationship with the scratcher (i.e. offspring) and the associate's attentional state. We conclude that orangutan mothers use loud scratches as communicative strategies to coordinate joint travel with their infants.