Preliminary Survey on Population and Daily Activity Pattern of  Long-Tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) in  Tanjung Datu National Park, Sarawak

Ainaa Syazana  Arifin; Abdul Rahman Mohd-Ridwan; Belinda Carey  Challen; Tukiman Nur-Aizatul; Mohammad Noor-Faezah; Roberta Chaya Tawie Tingga; Badrul Munir  Md-Zain

doi:10.55230/mabjournal.v55i1.3279

Authors

Ainaa Syazana Arifin Animal Resource Science and Management, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
Abdul Rahman Mohd-Ridwan
armridwan@unimas.my
Centre for Pre-University Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
Belinda Carey Challen Animal Resource Science and Management, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
Tukiman Nur-Aizatul Animal Resource Science and Management, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia; Centre for Pre-University Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
Mohammad Noor-Faezah Animal Resource Science and Management, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia; Centre for Pre-University Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
Roberta Chaya Tawie Tingga Centre for Pre-University Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia; Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Badrul Munir Md-Zain Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Keywords:

Behavioural ecology, long-tailed macaque, population census, primate, Borneo

Abstract

Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) are an endangered species that are facing increasing threats due to habitat fragmentation and limited foraging grounds. Thus, their extensive range of behaviours requires attention from research and management perspectives for their conservation. Studying the behaviour of the M. fascicularis population in Tanjung Datu National Park (TDNP), Sarawak, one of the smallest protected areas that is rich in biodiversity, is crucial for ensuring their conservation success. The purpose of this study was to examine the demographic and behavioural ecology of the long-tailed macaques in TDNP, as there is currently insufficient information available on the M. fascicularis population in the protected area. A population estimation study was conducted using a census walk from February 23rd to March 1st, 2024. The behaviour of M. fascicularis was observed using the scan sampling method during this period. The study was conducted within an area of around 11,222 m², with a total of 181 individuals recorded from two groups. Group A (175 individuals) was recorded near the HQ area, while Group B (6 individuals) was recorded in Telok Upas. No solitary individuals were observed during the study, and due to the direct count method, no variance estimate was calculated. Present results indicated that long-tailed macaques spent most of their time moving (53.79%), followed by resting (14.48%), feeding (13.44%), other activity category (7.93%), vocalisation (5.52%) and grooming (4.83%). Data from the population census and behaviour of the long-tailed macaques can help the park's management in prioritising habitat protection areas and monitoring the population trends for effective long-term conservation of the species within TDNP.

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