STUDI PENGASUHAN GAJAH SUMATERA (Elephas maximus sumatranus TEMMINCK, 1847) DI PUSAT LATIHAN GAJAH SEBLAT, KABUPATEN BENGKULU UTARA

Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus Temminck, 1847) is
one of the endangered species and an icon of Indonesia's biodiversity. The
shrinking population of Sumatran elephants is a critical issue that requires real
action in efforts to preserve them. The care of Sumatran elephants at the Seblat
Elephant Training Center in North Bengkulu Regency is still seeking solutions in
facing a number of challenges, ranging from limited resources, climate change, to
changes in the behavior of the elephants themselves. This study aims to determine
the care status of Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) fostered at
the Seblat Elephant Training Center, North Bengkulu Regency. This study, which
was conducted in August-September 2024, covers 16 criteria for elephant care,
each classified into three categories, namely Appropriate, Less Appropriate, and
Not Appropriate. The methods used in this study were direct observation,
interviews in the form of questionnaires, and documentation. To obtain
information on the criteria for elephant care in the domestication environment, the
Method was used Delphi. The six elephants fostered by the Seblat Elephant
Training Center that were used as research objects consisted of three male
elephants and three female elephants. The study of elephant care at the Seblat
PLG in aggregate can be considered "Appropriate" with the criteria for caring for
female elephants 12 criteria (75%) and male elephants 13 criteria (81.25%).
Keywords: Elephant care, Elephant training center, Sumatran elephant