Short Communication: Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) distribution in the Cisokan Hydropower Plant, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Husodo T, Megantara EN, Mutaqin AZ, Kendarto DR, Wulandari I, Shanida SS. 2022. Short Communication: Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) distribution in the Cisokan Hydropower Plant, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 6247-6253. Globally, leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) can be found in various land cover types. Information about leopard cats is still low in Indonesia, especially in Java. Java Island has high human activities that impact leopard cats, such as the UCPS hydropower development area, a non-conservation area. The UCPS hydropower plant is in the upper catchment area of ??the Cisokan River as a tributary of the Citarum River. Although leopard cats can adapt to various land cover types, monitoring their existence is necessary. This study aims to reveal the distribution of leopard cats in the UCPS hydropower development area, Cianjur Regency and West Bandung Regency, West Java, Indonesia. Sign survey and literature were applied in this study. Fifty-eight leopard cat findings were found in the UCPS hydropower area. Leopard cats were found in 16 of the 47 grids from 2012-2022. After 5-10 years, leopard cats still use the same area in certain areas to meet their needs.In eight of 16 grids, 50% of the grids used by leopard cats were habitats used repeatedly. They were most commonly found in shrubs (39%), riparian (20%), and pine plantations (15%). Leopard cats were located at 445-895 masl and are most commonly found at 400-800 masl. Leopard cats are found in the UCPS development area and Perhutani Land. After 5-10 years, leopard cats still use the UCPS development area, so the habitat still fulfills their daily needs. Further monitoring is needed to determine the ecological status of the leopard cat population during the construction and post-construction process.

The protection effort of leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis Kerr, 1792) in the Upper Cisokan Pumped Storage, West Java, Indonesia

“…The literature review was conducted through Researchgate with the keywords Cisokan, UCPS, leopard cats, Prionailurus bengalensis, the biodiversity management plan, and the forest partnership framework. We reviewed several research papers and technical reports, including Shanida et al (2018b), Husodo et al (2019b); CESS (2020) unpublished; CESS (2021); Husodo et al (2022), andShanida et al (2023).…”

“…Based on leopard cats' distribution from 2017 to 2022 (Figure 2), leopard cats' habitats overlap in the UCPS area. Of the 56 findings, 35 (63%) were found within the UCPS area, such as in the lower dam, upper dam, permanent access road, temporary access road, and sliding gate (Shanida et al 2018b;Husodo et al 2022). Husodo et al (2022) revealed that leopard cats still use the same areas as their habitat after 5-10 years, covering an area of 10 km 2 in the UCPS area.…”

“…Of the 56 findings, 35 (63%) were found within the UCPS area, such as in the lower dam, upper dam, permanent access road, temporary access road, and sliding gate (Shanida et al 2018b;Husodo et al 2022). Husodo et al (2022) revealed that leopard cats still use the same areas as their habitat after 5-10 years, covering an area of 10 km 2 in the UCPS area. The leopard cats are considered a forest edge species that is predominantly found in human-dominated landscapes where habitat fragmentation and degradation, as well as direct and indirect anthropogenic disturbances, threaten the species' survival (Best and Pei 2020).…”

“…Leopard cats have been encountered before construction since 2012. During construction, leopard cats were still encountered in the UCPS area in 2017 and 2022 (Husodo et al 2022). Based on leopard cats' distribution from 2017 to 2022 (Figure 2), leopard cats' habitats overlap in the UCPS area.…”

“…Previous studies have been conducted on leopard cats, specifically on the Java Island. Leopard cats ecology has been studied in the UCPS area by Meijaard and Ferguson (2014) Husodo et al (2022);and Shanida et al (2023). Most studies are limited to the ecological aspects of leopard cats, while others have revealed conservation strategies for endangered animals.…”