STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THE CONSERVATION OF JAVAN DEER IN PANGANDARAN NATURE RESERVE

• Main Author: Idris Firdaus, Fahmi
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/67074
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Javan deer is a protected species native to Indonesia with wide distribution. One of the regions includes the Pangandaran Nature Reserve (PNR) in the District of Pangandaran, West Java, Indonesia. The habitat of Javan deer in PNR faced natural changes, particularly the succession process of the grazing areas. Lack of food caused by succession and unsupporting infrastructures affected the deer to roam outside the conservation area, harming themselves, the local people, and the tourists. This study aimed to establish strategies to improve the conservation of the Javan deer in PNR by (1) analysing the ecological condition of the Javan deer; and (2) analysing the conservation management of the Javan deer. The methods used in this research were (1) encountering Javan deer individuals; (2) scan sampling and continuous recording to observe the behaviour of Javan deer; (3) calculating the productivity of grazing area by defoliation experiment and vegetation analysis; (4) reviewing documents, reports and interviews; and (5) analysing strategy using SWOT-QSPM-AM. Results showed that 43 Javan deer were encountered roaming in PNR. Feed plant annual productivity in Cikamal Grassland reached 63.408±12.697 kg, Rengganis 5.976±901 kg, the PNR Office 7.583±498 kg, dan Ciborok 16.859±2.200 kg, with the total carrying capacity up to 23 deer per annum. Cynodon dactylon, the most palatable feed plant, dominated the grazing areas. Most of the Javan deer activity-time budget spent for feeding ranging 42,6-44,2%, either were in Cikamal Grassland or Pangandaran Nature Tourist Park (PNTP). Javan deer herd in Cikamal tended to be more intolerant to humans and other distracting factors than the herd in PNTP. On the other hand, the infrastructures in PNTP and Cikamal had been damaged by natural climate and human activities. Efforts by PNR staff and rangers during 2017-2022: evacuating and habituating the deer, rehabilitating the Cikamal Grassland, and coordinating with the Natural Resources Conservation Agency of West Java about the Javan deer. In improving the Javan deer conservation in PNR, the recommended applicable strategies are: (1) considering the management status of the Javan deer in the conservation management of PNR and PNTP; (2) improving the conservation management of Javan deer and its habitat; (3) improving facilities and the management system of those facilities and conservation-supporting infrastructures; (4) collaboration with researchers to perform some research and innovations for the Javan deer conservation; (5) improving the capability of PNR staff theoretically dan practically; (6) education and empowerment to the local people in terms of the Javan deer conservation. Adaptive Management was applied to construct the looping management system in strategies implementation, monitoring, and evaluation to optimise the strategies application.