BIOECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF WILDBOAR (Sus scrofa vittatus) AND PORCUPINE (Hystrix javanica) ON OIL PALM PLANTATION IN INDONESIA

Abstract

Wild boar (Sus scrofa vittatus) and porcupine (Hystrixjavanica) are two species of vertebrate pests which are commonly found on oil palm plantation in Indonesia, although the main habitat of those animals is in secondary forest. On oil palm plantation, both species usually destroy seedling which is newly planted in the fields, particularly at the shoot or the growing point. Monitoring to the population level and damaged due to these creatures is necessary, before they were managed effectively and efficiently. Among several methods of the population management to vertebrate pests, it seems mechanical control (mechanical barrier, repelling, trapping, and hunting) is the most effective and efficient. Chemical control using poison bait seems not effective; moreover it is very risky and danger to human and non target species around the area.