INFLUENCE OF LACTATION STATUS ON DAILY BEHAVIOUR OF ADULT FEMALE LONG-TAILED MACAQUES (Macaca fascicularis) IN AN EX-SITU BREEDING COLONY

This study aimed to analyse the influence of lactation status on the daily behaviour of adult female M. fascicularis in a breeding colony at CV. INQUATEX, Bogor, Indonesia. To achieve this, ten adult females, five lactating and five non-lactating, were observed using the scan sampling method after a habituation period. Observations were conducted twice daily, in the morning (7–9 a.m) and the afternoon (2-4 p.m.), at 5-minute intervals for 14 consecutive days. During these sessions, behavioural categories recorded included feeding, locomotion, resting, grooming, playing, sexual behaviour, human interaction, aggression, vocalisation, and maternal care. Subsequently, behavioural data were expressed as percentages and analysed using the Mann–Whitney U test. The results showed that non-lactating females exhibited higher proportions of feeding, locomotion, and grooming behaviours, whereas lactating females spent more time resting and performing maternal care. Furthermore, statistical analysis revealed significant differences in locomotion (p < 0.01), sexual behaviour (p < 0.05), and maternal care (p < 0.01) between lactating and non-lactating females. Taken together, these findings indicate that lactation status influences behavioural allocation in adult female M. fascicularis. Therefore, reproductive status should be considered in captive management strategies to support animal welfare and enhance breeding success in ex situ conservation programs