Ranging behaviour and diet preferences of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in Sungai Betis Forest Reserve, Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia

• Main Author: Hazizi Husain
• Format: UMK Etheses
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Online Access: http://discol.umk.edu.my/id/eprint/14546/1/Hazizi%20bin%20Husain.pdf; http://discol.umk.edu.my/id/eprint/14546/

The study is done for the purpose of understanding the ranging behaviour of Asian elephants in Sungai Betis Forest Reserve, Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia. In order to do so, home range and Species Distribution Model (SDM) of Asian elephants were produced. In this study, ArcGIS and MaxEnt software were used to help estimate the home range and possibility of distribution based on the occurrence of data points and environmental layers such as distance to waterbody and road, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), slope, and Negative Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The home range was computed through Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) using Minimum Bounding Geometry tool in ArcGIS software. The ranging behaviour showed that Asian elephants are often found in fragmented forests and travelled the largest distance in September. According to the findings, there was a strong correlation between the Asian elephant's ranging behaviour and habitat use, and the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Negative Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), slope, distance to waterbody, and road. For this study, diet preference was surveyed in detail over 12 months. The technique used was direct observation. The plant samples collected were identified by using the identification keys for plant species or with the help of subject matter experts. All plants in the study region that were eaten by the elephants were monitored and identified. The total number of plant species collected throughout this study was 40 species which belong to 21 families. This list was compiled from the identification of the leaves and fruits observed being consumed or taken from plants that had signs of elephant feeding. Elephants consumed different parts of plants like leaves and twigs (twigs are generally eaten by removing the leafy portion from the bark, root, fruits, flower, and trunk). This study contributes additional knowledge about the elephant’s diet. These data would contribute to new knowledge and be able to provide new information to many sectors, including government and non-government. The significance of this study is that it will help authorities such as DWNP to plan out new conservation programmes for the survival of this species.