False Gharial (Tomistoma Schlegelii) Surveys in Southeast Sumatra, Indonesia (1995-2002)
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FALSE GHARIAL (TOMISTOMA SCHLEGELII) SURVEYS IN SOUTHEAST SUMATRA, INDONESIA (1995-2002) Wildlife Management In ternational Pty Limited PROJECT SPONSORS Fauna & Flora International Cleveland Zoological Society (Cleveland Metroparks Zoo) Wildlife Management International Pty Limited Wetlands International (Greater Berbak – Sembilang Integrated Coastal Wetland Conservation Project) Sophie Danforth Conservation Biology Fund (Roger Williams Park Zoo) Mark R. Bezuijen1, Ferry Hasudungan2, Riza Kadarisman3, Grahame J.W. Webb1, Suryanto Adi Wardoyo2, S. Charlie Manolis1 and Samedi4 November 2002 1Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, PO Box 530, Sanderson, Northern Territory, Australia 0812. Email: [email protected]; 2Wetlands International, Jl. Sumpah Pemuda Blok K-3 Kel. Lorok Pakjo, Palembang 30137, South Sumatra Province, Sumatra, Indonesia; 3Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam Sumatera Selatan, Departemen Kehutanan, Jln. Kol. H. Barlian, Punti Kayu km 6, No. 79, Palembang, South Sumatra Province, Sumatra, Indonesia; Perlindungan Hutan dan Pelestarian Alam (PHKA), Manggala Wanabakti Blok VII Lt 7, Jakarta Report citation: Bezuijen, M.R., Hasudungan, F., Kadarisman, R., Webb, G.J.W., Wardoyo, S.A., Manolis, S.C. and Samedi (2002). False Gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii) surveys in southeast Sumatra, Indonesia (1995-2002). Unpublished Report, Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, Darwin. Cover photos (M. Bezuijen): The Merang River, South Sumatra Province. Lower reaches (top left) & upper reaches (bottom left, showing intensive illegal logging); captive False Gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii) (upper reaches). In 2001-02, collection by logging personnel was a principle threat to False Gharial populations in the Merang River. Table of Contents Acknowledgments..................................................................................................................................... i SUMMARY............................................................................................................................................. ii RECOMMENDATIONS..........................................................................................................................v RINGKASAN (SUMMARY)................................................................................................................ vii ANJURAN-ANJURAN (RECOMMENDATIONS).............................................................................. xi 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background...................................................................................................................................1 1.2 Survey objectives..........................................................................................................................1 2. METHODS ...........................................................................................................................................3 2.1 Study areas....................................................................................................................................3 2.1.1 The Merang River................................................................................................................4 2.1.2 Berbak National Park...........................................................................................................5 2.1.3 Simpang Datuk Lake............................................................................................................6 2.1.4 Way Kambas National Park.................................................................................................6 2.2 Spotlight surveys...........................................................................................................................6 2.3 Nests and nesting habitat ..............................................................................................................7 2.4 False Gharial capture and morphometrics ....................................................................................7 2.5 Interviews with local people .........................................................................................................7 2.6 Training local counterparts ...........................................................................................................7 3. THE MERANG RIVER .......................................................................................................................8 3.1 The False Gharial..........................................................................................................................8 3.1.1 Distribution and abundance in 2002 ....................................................................................8 3.1.2 Nesting .................................................................................................................................9 3.1.3 Changes since 1995..............................................................................................................9 3.2 Human activities in 2002 ............................................................................................................10 3.2.1 Illegal logging ....................................................................................................................11 3.2.2 Fishing................................................................................................................................12 3.2.3 Resource ownership...........................................................................................................13 3.2.4 Changes since 2001............................................................................................................13 3.3 Conservation threats in 2002 ......................................................................................................14 4. BERBAK NATIONAL PARK...........................................................................................................16 4.1 The False Gharial........................................................................................................................16 4.1.1 Distribution and abundance in 2002 ..................................................................................16 4.1.2 Nesting ...............................................................................................................................16 4.1.3 Changes since 2001............................................................................................................17 5. SIMPANG DATUK LAKE................................................................................................................20 6. WAY KAMBAS NATIONAL PARK................................................................................................21 6.1 The False Gharial in Lampung Province ....................................................................................21 6.2 Way Kambas National Park........................................................................................................21 6.2.1 Crocodile surveys in 2002 .................................................................................................21 6.2.2 Status of crocodiles in the park..........................................................................................22 7. FALSE GHARIAL WORKSHOPS....................................................................................................23 8. REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................24 APPENDIX 1. SURVEY DATA............................................................................................................26 APPENDIX 2. NEST DATA..................................................................................................................28 APPENDIX 3. GPS COORDINATES ...................................................................................................29 APPENDIX 4. PROJECT ITINERARY ................................................................................................29 APPENDIX 5. CERTIFICATES............................................................................................................30 Acknowledgments This project was conducted at the invitation of the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry. The following government personnel kindly supported the project: Ir. R. Bintoro (Head, Way Kambas National Park), Ir. Dulhadi (Head, BKSDA Sum-Sel), Mr Haidir (BKSDA Sum-Sel), Ibu Faustina Ida Hardjanti (CITES Program), Ir. Istanto (Head, Berbak National Park), Ibu Dewi Kristina (BKSDA Lampung), Professor Benyamin Lakitan (Head, BAPPEDA Sum-Sel), Mr Mukhlisin (Head, Sub- section Way Kambas National Park), Ir. Agus Priambudi (Head, BKSDA Jambi), Ir. Kurnia Rauf (PHKA), Dr Samedi (Head, CITES Programme Indonesia), Ir. Sudarso (BKSDA Sum-Sel), Ir. Mat Suro (representative Governor Musi Banyuasin Regency), Ir. Adi Susmianto (Director, National Conservation Programs, Directorate-General for Forest Protection and Nature Conservation PHKA), Ir. Soetiadi Yoesoef (Head, Dinas Kehutanan Sum-Sel) and Ir. H. Robihi Yunus (Head, BAPPEDA Kabupaten Musi Banyuasin). Field assistance was given by Mr Nasrullah, Mr Ginting (BKSDA Jambi), Mr Sismanto, Mr A. Rachman (Berbak National Park), Mr Dadang (BKSDA Sum-Sel), Mr Marpaung (Dinas Kehutanan Sum-Sel), Mr Dedi and Mr Arodin (Way Kambas National Park). Many other