Temporal and spatial dynamics of insular Rusa deer and wild pig populations in Komodo National Park

A 12-year study on Komodo National Park revealed that the population dynamics of Rusa deer and wild pigs are strongly influenced by density-dependent factors, with island-specific patterns and spatial synchrony. While Rusa deer populations declined slightly on two larger islands (Nusa Kode and Rinca) but increased on Gili Motang, wild pig populations showed contrasting trends, declining on Komodo Island and increasing on Rinca. These findings highlight the critical role of density dependence in tropical large herbivore populations, which are vital prey for the endangered Komodo dragon. The study used dung counts along transects to estimate abundance, confirming the need for continued monitoring to ensure the conservation of both ungulate species and their apex predator.

Ariefiandy, A., Forsyth, D. M., Purwandana, D., Imansyah, J., Ciofi, C., Rudiharto, H., Seno, A., & Jessop, T. S. (2016). Temporal and spatial dynamics of insular Rusa deer and wild pig populations in Komodo National Park. Journal of Mammalogy, 97(6), 1652–1662. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyw131