Population density of Presbytis rubicunda in a small primary dipterocarp forest in East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo

Abstract

Tropical rainforests on Borneo are rapidly shrinking due to human activities and related fres. Monitoring wildlife populations in their remaining habitats is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies. In 2012, we conducted surveys in Balikpapan Bay within the Sungai Wain forest, Indonesia, to estimate the population density of Maroon Langur Presbytis rubicunda (MUller, 1838). We surveyed Sungai Wain's primary core area using distance sampling of line transects, and assessed the vegetation structure using 100 m2 square plots. We calculated density of P. rubicunda at 5.35 groups/km2 (95% CI=3.4-8.43). Cluster size ranged between two and eight individuals and group size averaged 5.2 individuals (SE=1.4). The habitat within the core area of Sungai Wain appears suitable to support a high density of this colobine. Anthropogenic activities in the surrounding areas, as well as encroachment and illegal logging within the regenerating habitat, could become threats for P. rubicunda in Sungai Wain. This forest represents an important refuge for this primate in Balikpapan Bay. We recommend further surveys in degraded and regenerating forests to quantify the remaining suitable habitat for P. rubicunda in East Kalimantan.