RESPONSE OF KOMODO (Varanus komodoensis, OUWENS 1902) TO TOURIST ACTIVITY STIMULUS DURING EARLY REPRODUCTIVE PERIOD IN LOH BUAYA, RINCA ISLAND, EAST NUSA TENGGARA

• Main Author: Dimas Pramudya, Aditya
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Ilmu hayati ; Biologi
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/36125
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Nature based tourism is a kind of human-wildlife interaction and is increasing in number of occurrence nowadays. Reproductive period has become a one of the greatest attraction for tourism. Contrary, wildlife is in the most sensitive condition during that period. The impacts of tourism activity on komodo reproductive behaviour is yet unidentified. This study was conducted at Loh Buaya tourism area with a purpose to analyze the response of komodo to tourist activity during mating and nesting behaviour. The response was identified using Focal-continuous sampling method from mating up to the first week of nest-guarding phase. The response was distinguished into three general categories: avoidance, netral or aggressive. Thus, it was tested under a classified stimulus of tourist presence: observation distance (<5 m; 5-10 m; >10 m) and number of visitor in a group (<5 persons; 5-10 persons; >10 persons). Komodo inhabiting the tourism area was seemed to be polyandrous. Mating selection was based on the female receptivity condition. The mating sequence was consisted with licking, holding/mounting, scratching, and ended with copulation. The nesting sequence was consisted with choosing the nest, digging, laying the eggs, covering, and guarding. Latency variation in both mating and nesting activities were assumly correlated with activity period and mating interference by the other komodo. It is assumed that komodo inhabiting the tourism area has been habituated to tourist presence. Tourist presence apparently did not cause, either mating interference or nesting failure. In addition, tourism supporting facilities indiced feeding aggregation and indirectly facilitates reproduction process only for a certain population. High intensity of encounter between tourist and habituated-komodo might enhance conflicts. Thus, conflict avoidance and habituation reduction should be taken into account for the management.