Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Rusa tutul (Axis axis Erxleben, 1777) merupakan salah satu satwa yang memiliki peran penting bagi ekosistem dan dimanfaatkan sebagai objek konservasi dan edukasi. Populasinya di alam mengalami penurunan akibat perburuan dan kerusakan habitat, sehingga salah satu upaya pelestariannya dilakukan melalui konservasi ex situ. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui preferensi pakan, kesesuaian jenis pakan, aktivitas harian, dan interaksi tingkah laku makan rusa tutul di Taman Rusa Kecamatan Sukamakmur, Kabupaten Aceh Besar. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan metode eksperimen dan observasi. Data dianalisis secara deskriptif kuantitatif dan disajikan dalam bentuk persentase. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kangkung (Ipomoea aquatica) merupakan pakan yang paling disukai dengan persentase 25,56%, diikuti rumput gajah (Pennisetum purpureum) 25,52%, pisang (Musa paradisiaca) 24,87%, dan pelet konsentrat 24,05%. Tingkat kesesuaian jenis pakan yang diberikan di Taman Rusa dengan pakan alami rusa tutul di habitat liar sebesar 15,38%, yang menunjukkan tingkat kesesuaian tergolong rendah. Aktivitas harian didominasi oleh aktivitas istirahat (44,74%), diikuti aktivitas makan (35,87%), berpindah tempat (14,90%), grooming (4,30%), dan reproduksi (0,19%). Interaksi tingkah laku makan tertinggi terjadi pada pelet konsentrat, diikuti rumput gajah, kangkung, dan pisang. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa kangkung merupakan pakan yang paling disukai oleh rusa tutul, kesesuaian jenis pakan di Taman Rusa dengan pakan alami di habitat liar masih rendah, aktivitas harian didominasi oleh aktivitas istirahat, dan frekuensi interaksi tingkah laku makan berbeda pada setiap jenis pakan yang diberikan.
Kata kunci: Rusa Tutul, Preferensi Pakan, Aktivitas Harian, Tingkah Laku Makan,
Taman Rusa.

The spotted deer (Axis axis Erxleben, 1777) is an animal that plays a vital role in the ecosystem and serves as a subject for conservation and education. Its wild population has declined due to hunting and habitat destruction; consequently, one conservation strategy employed is ex situ conservation. This study aimed to determine the feed preferences, feed type suitability, daily activities, and feeding behavior interactions of spotted deer at the Deer Park in Sukamakmur District, Aceh Besar Regency. The study utilized a quantitative approach involving experimental and observational methods. Data were analyzed using descriptive quantitative techniques and presented as percentages. The results showed that water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) was the most preferred feed (25.56%), followed by elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) at 25.52%, bananas (Musa paradisiaca) at 24.87%, and concentrate pellets at 24.05%. The suitability level of the feed provided at the Deer Park compared to the spotted deer's natural diet in the wild was 15.38%, indicating a low level of compatibility. Daily activities were dominated by resting (44.74%), followed by feeding (35.87%), moving (14.90%), grooming (4.30%), and reproduction (0.19%). The highest frequency of feeding behavior interactions was observed with concentrate pellets, followed by elephant grass, water spinach, and bananas. In conclusion, water spinach is the most preferred feed for the spotted deer; the suitability of the feed provided at the Deer Park compared to the natural diet in the wild remains low; daily activity is dominated by resting; and the frequency of feeding behavior interactions varies depending on the type of feed provided. Keywords: Spotted Deer, Food Preferences, Daily Activities, Feeding Behavior, Deer Park.