Silviana Hasan, Ratna Sari Hasibuan, sofian iskandar, Teguh Angguh Angguh

POTENTIAL PREY FOR JAVANESE LEOPARD (Panthera pardus melas Cuvier, 1809) AT THE MOUNT BOTOL RESORT, MOUNT HALIMUN SALAK NATIONAL PARK

Introduction

Potential prey for javanese leopard (panthera pardus melas cuvier, 1809) at the mount botol resort, mount halimun salak national park. Discover potential prey for Javanese leopards (Panthera pardus melas) at Mount Botol Resort, Mount Halimun Salak National Park. Camera trap study identifies 8 diverse prey species, crucial for conservation strategies and maintaining top predator populations.

Abstract

The Gunung Botol Resort is a conservation area in West Java that is crucial for the protection of key wildlife such as the Javan leopard (Panthera pardus melas Cuvier, 1809). The presence of the Javan leopard plays a crucial role in the ecosystem. Data on its potential is essential for efforts to maintain the sustainability of its population in the ecosystem. This study aims to determine the presence of Javan leopard prey at the Gunung Botol Resort in the TNGHS. This study was conducted using camera traps. Analysis of the obtained photographic data was carried out using the Jim Sanderson application. The results of the study produced 133 images, there were 8 types of Javan leopard prey animals that were successfully caught by Camera traps, namely forest rats (Rattus sp) 27 images, barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) 25 images, wild boar (Sus scrofa) 19 images, linsang (Prionodon linsang) 17 images, jungle cats (Prionaliurus bengalensis) 16 images, squirrels (Tupaia javanica) 16 images, skunk teludu (Mydaus javanica) 10 images and Javan barking quail (Arborophila javanica) 3 images. These results indicate the availability of diverse natural food for Javan leopards as top predators functioning as umbrella species. This finding is important to support ecological-based conservation strategies, especially in maintaining the stability of top predator populations through sustainable habitat management and food chains.

Review

This study provides a valuable and timely assessment of potential prey availability for the critically endangered Javan leopard (Panthera pardus melas) within the Gunung Botol Resort of Mount Halimun Salak National Park. Addressing a crucial data gap, the research effectively utilizes camera trapping methodology to quantitatively identify species that could serve as a food source for this apex predator. The study's focus on an umbrella species highlights its broader ecological significance, contributing foundational knowledge essential for evidence-based conservation strategies aimed at maintaining ecosystem integrity in this vital conservation area. The findings reveal a diverse range of potential prey, with eight distinct species identified from 133 camera trap images. Forest rats (Rattus sp.), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), and wild boar (Sus scrofa) were the most frequently detected, indicating their probable importance in the Javan leopard's diet. The detection of other species, including smaller carnivores like linsang and jungle cats, as well as squirrels, skunks, and even Javan barking quail, underscores the richness and complexity of the food web supporting the leopard population. This robust inventory of available prey offers a positive outlook for the nutritional landscape of Javan leopards in the Gunung Botol Resort, supporting the notion of a stable food chain. While effectively establishing the presence and relative abundance of potential prey, future research could build upon these findings by investigating the actual dietary composition of Javan leopards through direct methods such as scat analysis. This would provide a more definitive understanding of resource utilization. Additionally, exploring how the identified prey species relate to habitat quality and specific management interventions could further strengthen the practical application of these results for conservation. Nevertheless, this study successfully lays an essential groundwork for understanding Javan leopard ecology, reinforcing the need for continuous, ecologically-based conservation efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of this magnificent predator and the ecosystem it inhabits.

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