Application of digital ethogram in Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) behavioral observation at Ragunan Zoological Park

Abstract

Observation of animal behavior is a major theme in zoology, often used as a baseline for other studies. To obtain accurate data, data collection process needs to be enhanced through the use of technology. BORIS (Behavioral observation research interactive software) is a digital ethogram software for data collection process in behavioral research. Through the use of BORIS, data collection process can be done in live observation and from video recording. In this study, the software was used to collect daily activity data of a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) in Ragunan Zoological Park, Jakarta. The process began with arranging the basic ethogram and inputting the subject data. Afterwards, observation was conducted for 2 hours and 30 minutes outside the tiger enclosure. Observation yielded a recording of 10 behavior types out of 15 behavior types in the ethogram. Timestamp was shown in seconds with accuracy up to 0.001 seconds. Total of 400 observation points were made during the data recording. Results were displayed in the table with the option to export to other formats (e.g. Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet). Overall, the use of BORIS in live behavioral observation gave positive results towards the accuracy and efficiency of data collection process.