STUDI PERILAKU MAKAN ORANGUTAN SUMATERA (PONGO ABELII) DI STASIUN RISET SUAQ BALIMBING ACEH SELATAN

A Study on the Feeding Behavior of Sumatran Orangutans (Pongo Abelii) at the Suaq Balimbing Research Station, South Aceh, Aceh

Abstract

Orangutans are one of the great apes and are classified as frugivorous primates, meaning they consume fruit as their main food source. However, they still need other foods to meet their energy needs, such as flowers, leaves, cambium, pith and insects. This study aimed to determine the eating habits of Sumatran Orangutans (Pongo abelii) at the Suaq Balimbing Research Station, as well as the types of food they consume. The method used was Focal Animal Sampling. Data were recorded using Instantaneous Sampling, which involved observing behaviour every two minutes, and Ad Libitum Sampling, which involved observing behaviour outside the observation time interval. The subjects of observation were adult male and female Orangutans, with two individuals of each sex. The results of the analysis showed that the frequency of eating was 55% higher for Kewin, as he is a dominant adult male. In contrast, the frequency of eating was 43% lower for Trident, as he prefers to taste various foods and look for food sources for his child. Based on observations, Orangutans eat 15 types of fruit, two types of insects, five types of leaves, four types of roots and two types of shoots.