FORAGE CONSUMPTION LEVEL AND FEED PREFERENCE OF JAVAN DEER (Rusa timorensis) AT MASIGIT KAREUMBI GAME RESERVE, WEST JAVA

• Main Author: INTAN PRATIWI PRAYOGA (NIM : 11513049), DYASTRI
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/21854
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

One of main aspects in game reserve conservation site management is food availability for hunting objects that corresponds to its need. Information about game’s food consumption level is needed to understand its habitat carrying capacity value. This research aims to determine daily foreage consumption level and feed preference of Javan Deer (Rusa timorensis) at Masigit Kareumbi Game Reserve’s (MKGR) captivity area. This research is relevant for increasing Javan deer population at MKGR through introduction plan within 1097,77 hectares facility area. Observation was done to 7 Javan deer (5 females and 2 males) using foreage that contains 3 family plants, that is Poaceae, Leguminosae, and Polygonaceae and also mixed forage. Reviewed aspect includes daily foreage consumption level based on management’s usual intensity, maximum consumption intensity, and feed preference of Javan deer. Javan deer’s foreage consumption level is determined from the difference between initial given foreage weight and whats left of it after consumption. Mixed foreage is given as ad libitum with cafetaria feeding mechanism and is observed at 06.00 and 18.00, each equally 12 hours. Each individual foreage consumption level is assumed to be without regard to gender, age, and weight. In every observation 100-350 gram of sample is taken to be dried with oven at 105C for 16 hours to calculate dry matter weight. Feed preference is determined by providing foreage based on three family with cafetaria feeding mechanism each 5-15 kg and will be calculated with Neu’s Index. Based on this research Javan deer’s foreage consumption level in MKGR on management’s usual intensity is at 4,17 kg/individual at wet basis, and at maximum consumption level Javan deer at MKGR consume 8,77 kg/individual. Feed preference analysis using Neu’s Index suggest that the most liked foreage family is from Poaceae family, followed closely by Leguminosae and Polygonaceae. This research result along with natural food availability distribution and productivity will support Javan deer introduction effort at MKGR, by means to determine carrying capacity and amount of deer that would be introducted.