Varanus komodoensis SURVIVALSHIP UNDER TOURISM MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE KOMODO NATIONAL PARK

• Main Author: Sulaeman, Daningsih
• Format: Dissertations
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/44356
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

A series of research have been done to answer issues on Varanus komodoensis survivalship under tourism management of Komodo National Park (KNP), East Nusa Tenggara Province. Determination of suitable habitat was approached by calculation of breeding nests at the altitude within 50 meters above sea level and analyzed using QGIS v2.18.15. The active breeding nest was determined by the female parental behavior and the egg shell remnants. The minimum usable hole with eggs was more than 50 cm. Active breeding nest density in Komodo island is 0,38 nest/km2 and active breeding nest density in Rinca island is 0,25 nest/km2. Actively reproductive females are found to be correlated with its abdomen diameter of more than 55 cm. The survival rate analysis of komodo using the low reproduction active female breeding rate has been recalculated to revise the population status of the komodo dragon determined by the IUCN in 1996 as Vulnerable category (B1+2cde) to become Critically Endangered (A3B1+2C2a(i)E). The potential area of preferred habitat for breeding nest (134,68 km2) is far from adequate needs of 526,3 km2 to facilitate komodo dragon population survival for next 100 years. This research found 29 active reproduction nests and 119 holes with different sizes of diameter and depth, with 6 active nests and 9 active holes (on average 4,1±1,3 holes / nest complex). The small percentage of active holes (5%) compared to previous study is a clue that the komodo dragon population is declining. This research has isolated successfully the DNA genome from chorioallantoic membrane of the eggshells of the dragon, therefore, this DNA genome can be used as a template for non-invasive genetic analysis. Tourist perception is obtained by asking 32 questions to 201 respondent using Lickert Scale and MSI (Method of Successive Interval) that analyzed using PCA (Principal Component Analysis) equipped with further descriptive analysis. The six main component of visitors’ perception and expectation are management, awareness, underwater attraction, wildlife features, terrestrial attraction and nature experiences where visitors expecting professional management, direct benefit to the local resident, and transparency and efficiency of conservation budget. Visitors will go to KNP especially for the komodo uniqueness and then return for underwater beauty and snorkeling/diving activities. All tourists’ expectation and perception would show the ecotourism destination characteristic. The KNP is not managed using ecotourism principles yet based on visitors’ perception and expectation as other researches’ evaluation on tourism program. It is generally concluded that the survival of komodo dragon population and activities of KNP are depends on accurate monitoring periodically to determine its status and to apply appropriately the ecotourism principles.