Maintain a balance between ecotourism activities and orangutan habitat preservation

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 95 views

The Influence of Ecotourism Visitors on the Behavior of Adult Female Sumatran Orangutans (Pongo Abelii) in Bukit Lawang, Gunung Leuser National Park, North Sumatra

Introduction

Ecotourism has become a significant contributor to the economy of many countries, including Indonesia. However, the impact of ecotourism on wildlife, particularly in protected areas, is a topic of ongoing debate. This study aims to investigate the influence of ecotourism visitors on the behavior of adult female Sumatran orangutans (Pongo Abelii) in Bukit Lawang, Gunung Leuser National Park, North Sumatra.

Methodology

The study was conducted in Bukit Lawang, Gunung Leuser National Park, in July to August 2017. The method used in this study was Focal Animal Sampling, where individual orangutan behavior data was recorded directly to reflect their activities. The results showed that the behavior of semi-wild orangutans was dominated by eating activities (45.25%), followed by moving (33.80%), resting (17.14%), social (2.61%), and nesting (1.20%). Meanwhile, wild orangutans showed dominant behavior in moving (43.29%), followed by meals (41.25%), rest (12.51%), social (1.61%), and nesting (1.34%). This observation is based on the activities of ecotourism visitors that occur in the field.

Results

Although semi-wild orangutans show dominant eating behavior, their food sources still come from natural environments and not from interactions with visitors. On the other hand, wild orangutans who have high moving behavior indicate the tendency of active habitat exploration. Thus, it can be concluded that visitors' activities have no significant effect on orangutan behavior, both in general and specifically in Bukit Lawang.

Discussion

The activity of ecotourism visitors can affect wildlife in many ways. However, in the context of Sumatran Orangutans in Bukit Lawang, the results of this study confirmed that human existence did not directly change the basic behavior of orangutans. This shows that even though semi-wild orangutans are in near human activities, they still maintain their natural behavior, especially in terms of finding food. This is important because it indicates that they have knowledge and skills to survive in their natural habitat, despite disturbances from visitors.

High eating behavior in semi-wild orangutans may reflect their strategies in utilizing existing natural resources. In this case, the presence of visitors may not be significantly disturbing them, and orangutans seem more focused on food search. Conversely, wild orangutans who move more often may show their natural adaptation to explore wider habitats without being disturbed by human existence.

Conservation Implications

From a conservation point of view, this finding provides valuable insight for ecotourism management in Gunung Leuser National Park. It is essential for park managers to maintain a balance between ecotourism activities and the preservation of orangutan habitat. Keeping adequate distance between visitors and orangutan habitat can help prevent potential disorders that can occur in the future. In addition, education to visitors about the importance of keeping a safe distance and does not provide food to wildlife is very important to preserve their natural behavior.

Conclusion

Overall, this research highlights the importance of a deep understanding of the interaction between visitors and wildlife, as well as how proper management can ensure that both parties can interact harmoniously without disturbing existing ecosystems. Thus, it is expected that ecotourism activities in Bukit Lawang not only bring economic benefits but also support the conservation efforts of orangutans and their habitat.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Maintain a balance between ecotourism activities and orangutan habitat preservation: Park managers should ensure that ecotourism activities do not disrupt the natural behavior of orangutans.
Provide education to visitors: Visitors should be educated about the importance of keeping a safe distance and not providing food to wildlife.
Monitor and evaluate the impact of ecotourism on orangutan behavior: Regular monitoring and evaluation of the impact of ecotourism on orangutan behavior should be conducted to ensure that the activities do not harm the animals.
Develop sustainable ecotourism practices: Ecotourism practices should be developed that prioritize the conservation of orangutans and their habitat.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Investigating the impact of ecotourism on other species in the park: The impact of ecotourism on other species in the park should be investigated to ensure that the activities do not harm other wildlife.
Developing effective conservation strategies: Effective conservation strategies should be developed to protect orangutans and their habitat.
Evaluating the effectiveness of ecotourism management: The effectiveness of ecotourism management in Gunung Leuser National Park should be evaluated to ensure that the activities are not harming the animals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Influence of Ecotourism Visitors on the Behavior of Adult Female Sumatran Orangutans (Pongo Abelii) in Bukit Lawang, Gunung Leuser National Park, North Sumatra

Q: What is the main objective of this study? A: The main objective of this study is to investigate the influence of ecotourism visitors on the behavior of adult female Sumatran orangutans (Pongo Abelii) in Bukit Lawang, Gunung Leuser National Park, North Sumatra.

Q: What method was used in this study? A: The method used in this study was Focal Animal Sampling, where individual orangutan behavior data was recorded directly to reflect their activities.

Q: What were the results of this study? A: The results of this study showed that the behavior of semi-wild orangutans was dominated by eating activities (45.25%), followed by moving (33.80%), resting (17.14%), social (2.61%), and nesting (1.20%). Meanwhile, wild orangutans showed dominant behavior in moving (43.29%), followed by meals (41.25%), rest (12.51%), social (1.61%), and nesting (1.34%).

Q: What does this study suggest about the impact of ecotourism on orangutan behavior? A: This study suggests that the activities of ecotourism visitors have no significant effect on orangutan behavior, both in general and specifically in Bukit Lawang.

Q: Why is this study important? A: This study is important because it provides valuable insight for ecotourism management in Gunung Leuser National Park. It highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between ecotourism activities and the preservation of orangutan habitat.

Q: What are the conservation implications of this study? A: The conservation implications of this study are that park managers should maintain a balance between ecotourism activities and the preservation of orangutan habitat. Keeping adequate distance between visitors and orangutan habitat can help prevent potential disorders that can occur in the future.

Q: What education should be provided to visitors? A: Visitors should be educated about the importance of keeping a safe distance and not providing food to wildlife.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study? A: The recommendations of this study are:

Maintain a balance between ecotourism activities and orangutan habitat preservation: Park managers should ensure that ecotourism activities do not disrupt the natural behavior of orangutans.
Provide education to visitors: Visitors should be educated about the importance of keeping a safe distance and not providing food to wildlife.
Monitor and evaluate the impact of ecotourism on orangutan behavior: Regular monitoring and evaluation of the impact of ecotourism on orangutan behavior should be conducted to ensure that the activities do not harm the animals.
Develop sustainable ecotourism practices: Ecotourism practices should be developed that prioritize the conservation of orangutans and their habitat.

Q: What are the future research directions of this study? A: The future research directions of this study are:

Investigating the impact of ecotourism on other species in the park: The impact of ecotourism on other species in the park should be investigated to ensure that the activities do not harm other wildlife.
Developing effective conservation strategies: Effective conservation strategies should be developed to protect orangutans and their habitat.
Evaluating the effectiveness of ecotourism management: The effectiveness of ecotourism management in Gunung Leuser National Park should be evaluated to ensure that the activities are not harming the animals.