Sexual behaviour during breeding periods in Malayan Tiger at the Malayan Tiger Conservation Centre, Lanchang, Pahang

Balakrishnan, Nimallan (2022) Sexual behaviour during breeding periods in Malayan Tiger at the Malayan Tiger Conservation Centre, Lanchang, Pahang. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text lp FPV 2022 44.pdf Download (1MB)

Abstract

The Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) is critically endangered and as an insurance measure to less than 150 wild tiger populations, a conservation breeding programme is deemed necessary. Before this, well-defined research on reproductive behaviour relationships should be done to understand the basics of reproductive physiology in the Malayan tiger. The success of the breeding programme for the Malayan tiger has been limited, with knowledge regarding this species’ reproductive biology remaining scarce. This study aims to establish the standard reproductive behaviour of the Malayan tiger through sexual behaviour observations. One sexually immature male and one sexually mature female P. t. jacksoni at Malayan Tiger Conservation Centre (MTCC), Lanchang, Pahang were selected. Cameras were set within the enclosure to record sexual behaviours from 0930 to 1630 for 14 days. Footages were analysed using the focal animal continuous sampling observation method. The findings were recorded on a customized ethogram based on reproductive behaviours like pacing (P), social roll (SR), prustening (PR), rubbing (R), anogenital groom (A), scent-marking (US), clawing(C), Flehmen’s response (F) and caterwaul (CW). No CW and SR were noticed and the daily frequency of US, C, F, PR and R behaviours in the male over 14 days were less than 1%. Nevertheless, synchronous fluctuations in the frequency of different magnitudes were noticed in the female. The mean percentage of sexual behaviours was 9.93 ± 6.92 of the total calculated slots over 14 days. In short, the behaviours listed above are good reproductive indicators especially when it comes to determining the sexual maturity of the tigers. Pacing is likely, an exception as it could be stereotypical behaviour.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Depositing User:	Ms. Nordeena Abdul Aziz
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2024 08:35
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2024 08:35
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1986

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