The Potential of Sumatran Elephant Feed Plants in Aek Nauli's Special Purpose Forest Region, North Sumatera

Abstract

: One of the problems that needs to be considered in the captive elephants management is the adequacy of feed. This study aims to obtain information on feed plants species, the palatability value and productivity of elephant feed in Aek Nauli's Special Purpose Forest Region. The research method was carried out by observation, focal animal sampling as well as feed productivity by measurements of changes in growth weight, height and diameter trees. The results showed that at the grazing area elephant have been identified at least 41 species of elephant feed, mainly from the Paoceae, Moraceae, Myrtaceae and Euphorbiaceae Families. The part plant species that most consumed is all parts (grass), leaves, plant skin and fruit. The species that have the highest palatability value (frequency and duration of feed) are Ottochloa nodosa, Caryota gigas and Rhodamnia cinerea. The highest leaf productivity has Arthocarpus integler and Litsea sumatrana is the lowest. Plant characteristics that affect feed growth are diameter and total height with equation (dry weight) is Ybk = 0.079 + 0.103 Diameter + 0.052 Total Height with correlation of 65.5%.