Diet Composition and Feeding Preferences of Javan Gibbons (Hylobates moloch) in the Cikaniki Resort, Mount Halimun Salak National Park

Abstract

The Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch) is a frugivorous primate that relies on fruit as the main component of its diet. Environmental conditions can influence food availability for these species, which in turn affects their behavior and survival. However, detailed data in how seasonal variations impact the gibbon’s diet remain limited, making it challenging to design effective conservation strategies. Thus, understanding these diet preferences is crucial. To address these knowledge gaps, this study aims to analyze the differences in diet composition and feeding preferences of the Javan Gibbon during different seasons at the Cikaniki Resort, Gunung Halimun Salak National Park (GHSNP). We used scan sampling with a 10-minute interval to record the activity of gibbons continuously from January to December 2022, and we found that the diet composition of Javan Gibbons did not differ significantly between the rainy and dry seasons. A total of 73 plant species from 34 families were consumed by the Javan Gibbon throughout 2022, with the dietary composition consisting of 69% fruit, 19% young leaves, 10% flowers, and 2% invertebrates. Javan Gibbon’s food preference in both seasons continued to show fruit as the primary source. The most frequently consumed plants were from the Moraceae family, particularly Ficus villosa and Ficus heteropleura.