Palatability of sumatra elephant drop in feed at the Elephant Training Center, Way Kambas National Park, Lampung, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Handayani PS, Setiawan A, Rusita, Dewi BS. 2023. Palatability of sumatra elephant drop in feed at the Elephant Training Center, Way Kambas National Park, Lampung, Indonesia. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 9: 70-75. The forest is a living place for the animals in it. Animals themselves are biotic components that play an important role in the sustainability of ecosystems. The forest is also a source of food for the wild animals in it, because it is in the forest where they look for food. Taman Nasional Way Kambas (TNWK) is a national park which is famous for its large animal characteristics and long trunk, namely the Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus). Feed palatability is needed to determine the level of preference for the type of feed given to elephants. Elephants eat a wide variety of plants and need them in large quantities. The purpose of this study was to determine the palatability of drop-in feed for elephants at Pusat Latihan Gajah (PLG), Taman Nasional Way Kambas, Lampung Timur. This research was conducted in January 2023 using the method of direct observation in the field and data analysis using the electivity index method. The results of this study were that there were four types of feed plants provided at the PLG consisting of king grass, bananas, corn and long beans. Of the four types of forage plants, the level of preference for elephants is found in banana species with a palatability level of 0.13. The conclusion of this study is that 4 types of forage plants are obtained which have a sufficient quantity available and are preferred by Sumatran elephants. Based on the level of palatability, banana (Musa paradisiaca) is the most preferred type of forage plant and has a palatability level of 0.13.