PrimaTourism: Preliminary study on activity budget of Presbytis neglectus with insights on local people perception on the product’s potential economic value in Johor

Abstract

Abstract The newly classified Schlegel’s Banded Langur, P. neglectus in Malaysia are one of the most understudied primates in Malaysia. Unknown population status and distribution coupled with highly fragmented population recorded in Malaysia demands immediate need to study the fundamental aspects of the species such as daily activity budget. PrimaTourism are also suggested as a viable sustainable conservation measures for this highly threatened species. Thus, the objectives of this study are to identify the daily activity budget of P. neglectus in Kampung Johor Lama, Kota Tinggi, Johor, and also identify the potential of primate-based tourism in Kampung Johor Lama. Scan sampling was employed to record activity budget of P. neglectus. A total of 16 individuals of P. neglectus were observed in Kampung Johor Lama. A total of 8400 minutes of observation time was obtained. On average, P. neglectus spent most of their time resting (36.85%), moving (35.65%) and feeding (21.79%)The potential of PrimaTourism were assessed based on questionnaire distributed among local people in Kampung Johor Lama. Local people expressed their willingness to be involve in PrimaTourism activities and believe that this will serve as their alternative source of income and also sustainable well-being of the species in the area.