Abstract:
Asian tapir (Tapirus indicus Desmarest 1819) represents one of the largest mammal species on the island of Sumatera and Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN) in Riau Province demonstrates one of its remaining primary habitats. The present study attempted to assess the status of this elusive animal in this park (<200 m asl) using camera traps, with the specific objectives: (1) to estimate of the individual number and composition in the existing population; (2) to estimate the population density. A total of 50 camera traps (Reconyx and Bushnell, USA) were operated as pairs in 25 cells of 2x2 km2 over an area of 349 km2 for 1974 effective days-camera (July-October 2013). Tapir was captured in 262 (1.96%) out of a total of 13,374 images. Analysis of 57 independent tapir images indicated that the population consisted of at least 24 individuals comprising 7 adult males, 2 subadult males, 10 adult females, and 5 individuals of unknown sexes, which suggested that the proportion of the adults was 70,83 % and the sex ratio was 1:1. Estimation using DENSITY version 4.4 showed that the population density was 9,42 ± 2,36 (D±SE) individuals/100km2.
