The BioD has initiated a range of research and education programmes, of which some of these are ground breaking initiatives. The team is studying the role of leopard cats, Prionailurus bengalensis, as rat-predator in UP/PTSSS’ plantations. The BioD has also embarked on a first of its kind of study on the ecology of the World’s largest venomous snake, the king cobra, Ophiophagus hanna, as well as the Sumatran black spitting cobra (Naja sumatrana), in a palm oil plantation.

Several Indonesian student volunteers have assisted with monitoring on radio-tagged snakes and collared leopard cats. In many cases, these activities required permanent night shifts, tracking leopard cats from 8pm to 5am, or putting up a tent next to a digesting king cobra to measure micro-climate in nest sites from 8pm to 5am.

Leopard Cats in Plantation Landscape

Overpopulation of rats can have profound negative impact on production yield. UP Group attempts to minimize the usage of rodenticides where possible, and the Biodiversity Division undertakes a number of research projects to maximise the usage of biological control agents where possible. For example, leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) is one of the key predators of rats and other small rodents, and preliminary studies on the effect of these cats as rat controllers in a plantation landscape is ongoing.

The results have been very promising, and UP’s biodiversity team is currently exploring ways to enrich the habitat conditions for leopard cats, to maximise the population density and thereby reduce the effect of rat damage. A leopard cat can devour between 550-750 rats per year.

Leopard cat being measured for vital morphological traits

Radio collar tagging for leopard cat

Cobras in a Palm Oil Landscape

The BioD with help from a team of cobra experts managed to capture and implant radio-transmitters in two Sumatran black spitting cobras (Naja sumatrana) and two king cobras (Ophiophagus hannah). These snakes were tracked and studied for months afterwards. However, both black cobras were tracked down and eaten by a king cobra within three months of release. The king cobras were tracked over several months after which they disappeared out of signal range.

The BioD again had the opportunity to work together Dr. Rom Whitaker, Miss Janaki Lenin and Dr. Matt Goode. Together, they captured two Sumatran black spitting cobras and three king cobras and, under the supervision of Dr. Matt Goode, implanted radio-transmitters in all individuals, before they were released. All snakes are still being tracked.

Preliminary data reveal that the king cobra home-ranges are 25 times larger than Sumatran black spitting cobras. King Cobras moved 14.2 km over a 100-day period, a very extensive dispersal range for a reptile. The mean home range (95% MCP) size of Sumatran black spitting cobras was 0.06km2 (S.E. = 0.04 km2). Snakes constituted the main prey of King cobras, including Sumatran black spitting cobras. In contrast to the king cobra’s extensive dispersal pattern that includes villages, riparian zones and other types of adjacent habitat, the Sumatran black spitting cobras all remained within the plantation and predated almost entirely on rats.

Our preliminary data on king cobras’ habitat use suggest that it is important to maintain relatively intact native habitat within and adjacent to palm oil plantations.

National and International engagement
UP was represented at the world’s inaugural International King Cobra Symposium that took place in Holland, in which our  BioD Manager, Mr Muhd Silmi delivered a presentation about the ongoing king cobra research at PTSSS. After the Symposium Mr. Muhd Silmi visited UP’s collaborator, Copenhagen Zoo, where he also delivered a presentation to the Zoo’s staff as well as invited guests.

The BioD team also participated in the important Indonesia Carnivores Conference held in Banyuwangi, East Java in November 2017 where a comprehensive poster of the ongoing monitoring and management activities of carnivores in PTSSS’ conservation areas were prepared by Mr. Mahfud Huda of PT SSS. 

BioD team implanting radio transmitters to study the ranging behaviour of a king cobra

Dr. Rom Whitaker handling a Sumatran black spitting cobra (Naja sumatrana)