Ranging behaviour, spatial organization and activity of the Malay civet (Viverra tangalunga) on Buton Island, Sulawesi

Abstract

To compare the morphometrics and ranging behaviour of the Malay civet Viverra tangalunga on Sulawesi with published data on Malay civets on Borneo, a trapping and a radio-telemetry study was carried out in the Kakenauwe and Lambasango Forest Reserves on Buton Island, Sulawesi. From June to September in 2001September in , 2002 and 2003, we obtained morphometric measurements from 32 Malay civets captured in box traps. Ten civets were radio-collared and home-range size, minimum daily distance travelled and diel activity patterns were estimated. The mean overall capture rate was one capture per 32 trap-nights. Trap capture rate varied between study sites, but there was no difference in trappability between sexes. Adult male civets were heavier, had larger neck circumferences and longer hind feet than adult females. Both sexes on Buton Island were found to have significantly smaller body sizes than their counterparts on Borneo. The mean home-range size for adult civets was 70 ha, with a mean overlap of 4.0% between ranges. The home ranges of female civets on Buton were smaller than those in logged forests on Borneo. Malay civets were most active at night from 18:00 to 07:00 h, during which the mean activity was 94%. There was no difference in the minimum distance travelled by both sexes during a 24 h period. All rest sites were situated at ground level and were associated with dense cover.

Ranging behaviour, activity, habitat use, and morphology of the Malay civet (Viverra tangalunga) on Peninsular Malaysia and comparison with studies on Borneo and Sulawesi

“…Malay civets are solitary, omnivorous and primarily terrestrial, and mainly occur in primary and secondary forests, but are sometimes found in plantations and near villages that are adjacent to forests (Jennings and Veron, 2009). However, little is known about the natural history and ecology of this species, and only a few field studies have been conducted on Borneo (Macdonald and Wise, 1979;Nozaki et al, 1994;Heydon and Bulloh, 1996;Colon, 2002) and Sulawesi (Jennings et al 2006); no study has previously been undertaken on Peninsular Malaysia. This paper presents the results from the first radio telemetry study of the Malay civet on Peninsular Malaysia.…”

First known satellite collaring of a viverrid species: preliminary performance and implications of GPS tracking Malay civets (Viverra tangalunga)

“…Civets are nocturnal, and utilize day bed resting sites in dense forest or grassy areas (Colo´n 2002;Jennings et al 2006). To conserve tag battery life and obtain the highest resolution of relevant GPS fixes, collars were set to record 13 hourly GPS points from 18h00 until 06h00.…”

“…Weighing between 3-7 kg, V. tangalunga is a predominantly solitary and terrestrial small carnivore found throughout the Sundaic region of Southeast Asia (Payne and Francis 1985). Although several VHF studies have evaluated the spatial ecology of V. tangalunga (Nozaki et al 1994;Colo´n 2002;Jennings et al 2006Jennings et al , 2010, this study represents the first known application of GPS collars to the Viverridae family, and ultimately aimed to demonstrate the scientific and conservation value of GPS technology deployments on small carnivores.…”

A strategic analysis of volunteer tourism organisations

“…Although many such research projects are funded by such institutions as the World Bank and have produced a large number of technical papers (e.g. Crabbe & Smith, 2006;Jennings, Seymour, & Dunstone, 2006;May, 2005), a significant contribution to the understanding of sustainability at the micro-level has been achieved through the use of volunteers working on small-scale scientific projects The concept of volunteering has a long and established history in many subject (Stebbins, 1992;Stebbins & Graham, 2004;Uriely, Reichel, & Ron, 2003) areas; the volunteering literatures closest to tourism are: leisure (Parker, 1992), sport (Coleman, 2002;Cuskelly & Harrington, 1997;Gratton & Kokolakakis, 1997;Sport England, 1996 and events (Johnston, Twynam, & Farrell, 1999;Ralston, Lumsdon, & Downward, 2005;Solberg, 2003). The literature linked to volunteer tourism is fragmented with studies spanning a range of topics, for example: culture (McIntosh & Zahra, 2005); cultural exchange (Lyons, 2003); spirituality (Zahra, 2006); pilgrimage (Mustonen, 2005;Singh & Singh, 2004); self (Wearing, 2002(Wearing, , 2003Wearing & Deane, 2003;Wearing & Neil, 2000); self development (Uriely et al, 2003); and environment and conservation (Broad, 2003;Ellis, 2003;Halpeny & Caissie, 2003;Ryan, Kaplan, & Grese, 2001;Weston, Fendley, Jewell, Satchell, & Tazaros, 2003).…”