Nesting site characteristics and egg hatching success of Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) in Hungayono Sanctuary, Gorontalo

Abstract

Maleo population is decreasing due to the decline in the suitable breeding sites. The establishment of a maleo sanctuary in Hungayono aims to increase the maleo population by protecting its eggs and increasing the success rate of eggs hatched. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of maleo nesting habitats, describe the semi-natural maleo egg hatching management in the sanctuary, and analyze the success rate of maleo egg hatching in Hungayono. The results showed that the Maleo nesting sites were clean of bushes and shrubs, but there were still shades from trees or bamboo. The nesting sites are close to rivers and geothermal sources with mixed soil structures. The natural egg burrows have an average depth of 92,8 cm, a width of 82,7 cm, a temperature of 32,5oC, and a humidity of 90%. Hungayono has seven hatcheries that utilize geothermal heat to hatch Maleo eggs semi-naturally. The burrows size in the hatcheries was made according to the size of Maleo eggs, with an average depth of 32 cm and width of 10 cm, an average temperature is 32,5o C and humidity is 90,8%. The incubation period for the semi-natural hatcheries is 60–80 days. Maleo egg hatching success rate reached 60,18% in the medium category.