Main Article Content
Abstract
The Timor deer (Cervus timorensis), an endemic species of Indonesia, faces a severe population decline caused by habitat degradation, illegal hunting, and limited conservation initiatives. Captive breeding represents a strategic measure to enhance reproductive performance and ensure species persistence. This study examined the mating behaviour of Timor deer at the Brigif-16/Wira Yudha facility, Kediri, emphasising the effects of environmental conditions, social dynamics, and enclosure management. A total of 15 adult males and 40 adult females were monitored over two months using scan sampling across four daily periods (06:00–12:00, 12:00–15:00, 15:00–18:00, and 18:00–24:00). Results indicated that mating-related behaviors accounted for 18.7% of total activities, with the highest occurrence in the morning (06:00–12:00; 42.5% of mating events). Male-to-male competition represented 11.3% of all observations, also peaking in the morning, while female affiliative behaviours reached 15.8% during the same period. Activity levels declined sharply during midday heat (12:00–15:00; 8.6% of mating events) and in the evening (18:00–24:00; 6.2%), indicating strong environmental influence. Compared with wild populations, captive deer exhibited more clustered behavioural patterns, likely due to controlled feeding schedules, enclosure design, and the absence of predators. These findings suggest that reproductive monitoring and interventions should prioritise morning sessions when mating and social interactions are most frequent. Management practices that consider natural rhythms, minimise midday heat stress, and optimise social grouping can significantly improve welfare and reproductive output. Beyond practical applications, this study contributes to the understanding of polygynous cervid reproductive ecology under captive conditions. The insights gained provide a framework for refining conservation breeding strategies not only for Timor deer but also for other threatened ungulates facing similar challenges.
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References
- Bateman-Neubert, A., Briefer, E. F., & McElligott, A. G. (2023). Delayed benefits for fallow bucks: more fights decrease same-day mating success, but increase matings the next day. Animal Behaviour, 200, 37–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2023.03.011
- Boucher, A. J., Weladji, R. B., Holand, Ø., & Kumpula, J. (2024). Modelling reindeer rut activity using on-animal acoustic recorders and machine learning. Ecology and Evolution, 14(6), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11479
- Brucks, D., Drews, B., & Ulbrich, S. E. (2022). Exploring the social network of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in captivity. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 246(May 2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105526
- Caravaggi, A., Banks, P. B., Burton, A. C., Finlay, C. M. V., Haswell, P. M., Hayward, M. W., Rowcliffe, M. J., & Wood, M. D. (2017). A review of camera trapping for conservation behaviour research. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, 3(3), 109–122. https://doi.org/10.1002/rse2.48
- Farooq, Z., Baboo, I., Younas, M., Iqbal, K. J., Asad, S., Shahbaz, M., Munir, M. M., Khan, M. S., & Wajid, M. (2021). Social behaviour and circadian variations in different activities of captive HOG deer (Axis porcinus). Sains Malaysiana, 50(10), 2877–2884. https://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2021-5010-03
- Farquharson, K. A., Hogg, C. J., & Grueber, C. E. (2021). Offspring survival changes over generations of captive breeding. Nature Communications, 12(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22631-0
- Hutabarat, D. K., Ndiken, A., Praptiwi, I. I., & Nay Lesik, M. M. (2025). The effect of temperature and humidity on feeding and sexual behaviour of Timor deer (Cervus timorensis) in Yamai Atib Animal Park, Merauke. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1471(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1471/1/012053
- Ilham, Y. O., Masy’ud, B., & Rahman, D. A. (2024). Harvesting Quota and Financial Feasibility of Timor Deer Captive Breeding in Sadhana Arifnusa East Lombok, Indonesia. Jurnal Pengelolaan Sumberdaya Alam Dan Lingkungan, 14(1), 48–57. https://doi.org/10.29244/jpsl.14.48-57
- Maretta, G., Agustin, K. S., Putri, C. T., & Sofyan, I. (2022). Daily Behavior of the Timor Deer (Cervus timorensis) at The Tahura of Wan Abdul Rachman Lampung of Tahura in Year 2021. Jurnal Pembelajaran Dan Biologi Nukleus, 8(2), 263–272. https://doi.org/10.36987/jpbn.v8i2.2670
- Millán, M. F., Carranza, J., Pérez-González, J., Valencia, J., Torres-Porras, J., Seoane, J. M., Peña, E. de la, Alarcos, S., Sánchez-Prieto, C. B., Castillo, L., Flores, A., & Membrillo, A. (2021). Rainfall decrease and red deer rutting behaviour: Weaker and delayed rutting activity though higher opportunity for sexual selection. PLoS ONE, 16(1 January), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244802
- Murad, A., Ithnin, H., Putra, T. R., Ngau, C., & Fitri, W. N. (2023). Observational Study on Reproductive Behavior in Semi-Wild Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor) for Wildlife Conservation and Assisted Reproductive Management. World’s Veterinary Journal, 13(4), 531–538. https://doi.org/10.54203/SCIL.2023.WVJ56
- Narami, C. R. F. C. R., Limin, N. A., Hatta, S. N. N. F., Hatta, S. K. M., & Yusof, N. N. M. (2023). Diurnal activity budget and aggressive behaviour during feeding in captive Javan deer ( Cervus timorensis). IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1271(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1271/1/012036
- Rasyidi, G. (2022). Study of Timor Deer Behavior at the Exit Conservation Location of Cakura Village, Takalar Regency. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis, 05(08), 2165–2180. https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmra/v5-i8-36
- Selvarajah, K., Nadzir, M. N. H. M., & Annavi, G. (2022). Comparative Study on the Social Behavior of Sambar Deer (Rusa Unicolor) in Three Selected Captive Facilities in Peninsular Malaysia. Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology, 30(1), 527–546. https://doi.org/10.47836/pjst.30.1.29
- Srivastava, T., Hameed, J., Kumar, V., Segu, H., Narayan, S., John, M., Vasudevan, K., & Umapathy, G. (2025). Establishing reproductive seasons for the conservation of the critically endangered Kashmir red deer Cervus Hanglu. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89244-1
- Wyman, M. T., Pinter-Wollman, N., & Mooring, M. S. (2021). Trade-offs between fighting and breeding: A social network analysis of bison male interactions. Journal of Mammalogy, 102(2), 504–519. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyaa172
References
Bateman-Neubert, A., Briefer, E. F., & McElligott, A. G. (2023). Delayed benefits for fallow bucks: more fights decrease same-day mating success, but increase matings the next day. Animal Behaviour, 200, 37–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2023.03.011
Boucher, A. J., Weladji, R. B., Holand, Ø., & Kumpula, J. (2024). Modelling reindeer rut activity using on-animal acoustic recorders and machine learning. Ecology and Evolution, 14(6), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11479
Brucks, D., Drews, B., & Ulbrich, S. E. (2022). Exploring the social network of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in captivity. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 246(May 2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105526
Caravaggi, A., Banks, P. B., Burton, A. C., Finlay, C. M. V., Haswell, P. M., Hayward, M. W., Rowcliffe, M. J., & Wood, M. D. (2017). A review of camera trapping for conservation behaviour research. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, 3(3), 109–122. https://doi.org/10.1002/rse2.48
Farooq, Z., Baboo, I., Younas, M., Iqbal, K. J., Asad, S., Shahbaz, M., Munir, M. M., Khan, M. S., & Wajid, M. (2021). Social behaviour and circadian variations in different activities of captive HOG deer (Axis porcinus). Sains Malaysiana, 50(10), 2877–2884. https://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2021-5010-03
Farquharson, K. A., Hogg, C. J., & Grueber, C. E. (2021). Offspring survival changes over generations of captive breeding. Nature Communications, 12(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22631-0
Hutabarat, D. K., Ndiken, A., Praptiwi, I. I., & Nay Lesik, M. M. (2025). The effect of temperature and humidity on feeding and sexual behaviour of Timor deer (Cervus timorensis) in Yamai Atib Animal Park, Merauke. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1471(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1471/1/012053
Ilham, Y. O., Masy’ud, B., & Rahman, D. A. (2024). Harvesting Quota and Financial Feasibility of Timor Deer Captive Breeding in Sadhana Arifnusa East Lombok, Indonesia. Jurnal Pengelolaan Sumberdaya Alam Dan Lingkungan, 14(1), 48–57. https://doi.org/10.29244/jpsl.14.48-57
Maretta, G., Agustin, K. S., Putri, C. T., & Sofyan, I. (2022). Daily Behavior of the Timor Deer (Cervus timorensis) at The Tahura of Wan Abdul Rachman Lampung of Tahura in Year 2021. Jurnal Pembelajaran Dan Biologi Nukleus, 8(2), 263–272. https://doi.org/10.36987/jpbn.v8i2.2670
Millán, M. F., Carranza, J., Pérez-González, J., Valencia, J., Torres-Porras, J., Seoane, J. M., Peña, E. de la, Alarcos, S., Sánchez-Prieto, C. B., Castillo, L., Flores, A., & Membrillo, A. (2021). Rainfall decrease and red deer rutting behaviour: Weaker and delayed rutting activity though higher opportunity for sexual selection. PLoS ONE, 16(1 January), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244802
Murad, A., Ithnin, H., Putra, T. R., Ngau, C., & Fitri, W. N. (2023). Observational Study on Reproductive Behavior in Semi-Wild Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor) for Wildlife Conservation and Assisted Reproductive Management. World’s Veterinary Journal, 13(4), 531–538. https://doi.org/10.54203/SCIL.2023.WVJ56
Narami, C. R. F. C. R., Limin, N. A., Hatta, S. N. N. F., Hatta, S. K. M., & Yusof, N. N. M. (2023). Diurnal activity budget and aggressive behaviour during feeding in captive Javan deer ( Cervus timorensis). IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1271(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1271/1/012036
Rasyidi, G. (2022). Study of Timor Deer Behavior at the Exit Conservation Location of Cakura Village, Takalar Regency. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis, 05(08), 2165–2180. https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmra/v5-i8-36
Selvarajah, K., Nadzir, M. N. H. M., & Annavi, G. (2022). Comparative Study on the Social Behavior of Sambar Deer (Rusa Unicolor) in Three Selected Captive Facilities in Peninsular Malaysia. Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology, 30(1), 527–546. https://doi.org/10.47836/pjst.30.1.29
Srivastava, T., Hameed, J., Kumar, V., Segu, H., Narayan, S., John, M., Vasudevan, K., & Umapathy, G. (2025). Establishing reproductive seasons for the conservation of the critically endangered Kashmir red deer Cervus Hanglu. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89244-1
Wyman, M. T., Pinter-Wollman, N., & Mooring, M. S. (2021). Trade-offs between fighting and breeding: A social network analysis of bison male interactions. Journal of Mammalogy, 102(2), 504–519. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyaa172