Air Jangkang, 1 September 2025
Alobi Foundation melakukan nekropsi terhadap jasad seekor mentilin betina (Cephalopachus bancanus) yang mati setelah diserahkan oleh warga. Sebelumnya, diketahui bahwa mentilin tersebut masuk ke permukiman warga Desa Kace, Kecamatan Mendo Barat, Kabupaten Bangka pada hari Minggu, 25 Mei 2025. Mentilin tidak menunjukkan gejala klinis yang signifikan selama lima hari melalui proses rehabilitasi di PPS Alobi Foundation. Dokter hewan Alobi Foundation menyatakan bahwa mentilin berada dalam kondisi sehat dan memiliki nafsu makan yang baik. Akan tetapi, pada hari keenam, mentilin ditemukan dalam kondisi mati oleh animal keeper. Dokter hewan lantas segera melakukan nekropsi untuk memastikan penyebab kematiannya.
Gambar 1. Kondisi mentilin saat masih hidup (sumber: dok. PPS Alobi Foundation)
Gambar 2. Persiapan sebelum nekropsi Mentilin (sumber: dok. PPS Alobi Foundation)
Dari hasil pembedahan bangkai mentilin, ditemukan sejumlah endoparasit berupa cacing gilig (nematoda) di dalam saluran usus halus duodenum hingga saluran usus besar rectum. Dari pengamatan visual, cacing tersebut diduga merupakan jenis Ascaris sp. yang berada pada fase dewasa. Cacing parasit ini ditemukan pada primata non-manusia seperti monyet dan simpanse (Michaud et al., 2003).
Helminthiasis merupakan kondisi medis akibat infeksi oleh cacing parasit seperti cacing gilig (nematoda), cacing pita (cestoda), atau cacing pipih (trematoda). Gejala klinis akibat infeksi ini bisa jadi tidak ada sama sekali (subklinis), sakit ringan, atau menonjol dengan segala komplikasinya. Setiap cacing parasit memiliki sifat khusus dalam daur hidupnya dan caranya berkembang biak. Namun, hampir dapat dipastikan cacing parasit berkembang biak dalam jumlah sangat besar. Sebagai contoh, seekor cacing Ascaris sp. dapat menghasilkan telur sebanyak 20.000 butir per hari. Jika seluruh telur-telur tersebut menetas dan menjadi dewasa, penderita (hospes definitive) cacing Ascaris sp. akan sangat menderita (Subronto, 2010).
Jika kasus helminthiatis pada mentilin ditelisik lebih lanjut, dapat diduga bahwa satwa tersebut terjangkit infeksi awal lewat penularan zoonosis dari manusia ke hewan atau penularan langsung dari lingkungan yang tercemar. Tidak diketahui secara pasti sudah berapa hari mentilin tersebut tersesat di permukiman warga sehingga cacing yang ditemukan di dalam ususnya sudah berada dalam fase dewasa. Umumnya, cacing Ascaris sp. memerlukan waktu dua hingga tiga bulan untuk mencapai fase dewasa sejak telur infektifnya tertelan (CDC, 2019).
Gambar 3. Cacing dewasa jenis Ascaris sp. pada feses di Mentilin (sumber: dok.PPS Alobi Foundation)
Paparan investigasi kasus nekropsi pada mentilin ini diharapkan dapat menjadi pembelajaran bersama mengenai pentingnya menjaga keseimbangan ekosistem alam. Salah satu cara yang dapat dilakukan adalah dengan mengupayakan kelestarian habitat alami agar konflik antara masyarakat dan satwa dapat diminimalisasi. Hal ini juga dapat mengurangi risiko penularan zoonosis, baik dari manusia kepada satwa maupun sebaliknya (Barbosa et al., 2025). Perlu diketahui, mentilin merupakan satwa endemik Provinsi Kepulauan Bangka Belitung yang saat ini memiliki status rentan (vulnerable) berdasarkan International Union for Conservation of Nature. Mentilin juga merupakan satwa yang dilindungi dalam UU Nomor 32 Tahun 2024.
Sebagai informasi, pelaporan hasil diagnosis pasca-nekropsi satwa yang mati dalam wilayah pusat rehabilitasi PPS Alobi Foundation merupakan salah satu prosedur yang diperlukan untuk kepentingan penelitian. Ini tertuang dalam UU Nomor 32 Tahun 2024 tentang Konservasi Sumber daya Alam Hayati dan Ekosistemnya dan peraturan turunanya mengenai pemanfaatan dan pengawetan tumbuhan dan satwa liar. Nekropsi atau bedah bangkai pada satwa liar umumnya dilakukan oleh pihak yang memiliki izin untuk keperluan penelitian, identifikasi penyakit, atau investigasi kematian satwa (BPK RI, 2024).
*) drh. Joko Trianto, dokter hewan PPS Alobi Foundation
#salamlestari#ppsalobibabel#alobi#bangkabelitung#Cephalopachus bancanus#Investigation
English Version
A Case Investigation of Helminthiasis in Mentilin
Air Jangkang, September 01, 2025
Alobi Foundation conducted a necropsy on the body of a female mentilin (Cephalopachus bancanus), an endemic tarsier species in Bangka Belitung Islands Province, which died after being handed over by local residents. It was previously known that the mentilin had entered residential areas. It did not show any significant clinical symptoms during five days of rehabilitation at the Alobi Foundation’s PPS Air Jangkang. The veterinary doctor at Alobi Foundation stated that it was in good health and exhibited a good appetite. However, on the sixth day, the mentilin was found dead by the facility’s animal keeper. The veterinarian then immediately conducted a necropsy to determine the cause of death.
The necropsy results showed that several roundworms were found in the small intestine, from the duodenum to the large intestine (rectum). Visual observation suggested that these endoparasites were likely of the Ascaris sp. species in their adult phase. These parasitic worms have been found in non-human primates such as monkeys and chimpanzees (Michaud et al., 2003).
Helminthiasis is a medical condition caused by infection of parasitic worms such as roundworms (nematodes), tapeworms (cestodes), or flukes (trematodes). Symptomps of such infections may range from being absent (subclinical), to mild illness, or to severe symptoms with various complications. Each parasitic worm possesses specific characteristics in its life cycle and mode of reproduction. Nevertheless, it is almost certain that they reproduce in very large numbers. For example, a single Ascaris sp. worm can produce as many as 20,000 eggs per day. If all of these eggs were to hatch and develop into adults, the definitive host infected would suffer greatly (Subronto, 2010).
Further investigation suggested that the mentilin possibly contracted the infection through zoonotic transmission from humans to animals or direct transmission from a contaminated environment. It is unknown exactly how many days it had been lost in the residential area, allowing the worms to reach the adult phase in its intestines. Generally, Ascaris sp. worms require two to three months to reach adulthood after their infectious eggs are ingested (CDC, 2019).
These findings highlight the importance of preserving a healthy natural habitat, which can minimize conflicts between wildlife and local communities. This approach can also reduce the risk of zoonotic transmission, both from humans to animals and vice versa (Barbosa et al., 2025). It is important to note that mentilin is an endemic species of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, currently classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is also a protected species under Act No. 32/2024 on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems.
For information, the reporting of post-necropsy diagnosis results conducted be the Alobi Foundation is a necessary procedure for research purposes. This is outlined in Act No. 32/ 2024 along with its implementing regulations concerning the utilization and preservation of plants and wildlife. Necropsy or post-mortem examination of wildlife are carried out by parties authorized to conduct such procedures for research, disease identification, or investigation of animal deaths (BPK RI, 2024).
Figure 1. The condition of the mentilin while still alive (source: doc. PPS Alobi Foundation)
Figure 2. Preparation before necropsy on the mentilin’s body (source: doc. PPS Alobi Foundation)
From the necropsy of the Mentilin, a number of endoparasites in the form of roundworms (nematodes) were found in the intestinal tract, ranging from the duodenum of the small intestine to the rectum of the large intestine. Based on visual observation, these worms were suspected to be Ascaris sp. in the adult stage. This type of parasitic worm has also been reported in non-human primates such as monkeys and chimpanzees (Michaud et al., 2003).
Helminthiasis is a medical condition caused by infection with parasitic worms, including roundworms (nematodes), tapeworms (cestodes), or flukes (trematodes). The clinical symptoms of such infections may be absent (subclinical), mild, or severe with various complications. Each parasitic worm species has its own distinctive life cycle and mode of reproduction. However, it is almost certain that parasitic worms reproduce in extremely large numbers. For example, a single Ascaris sp. worm can produce up to 20,000 eggs per day. If all these eggs were to hatch and reach maturity, the definitive host of Ascaris sp. would experience severe suffering (Subronto, 2010).
In the case of helminthiasis found in the Mentilin, it can be assumed that the animal contracted the initial infection either through zoonotic transmission from humans to animals or through direct exposure to a contaminated environment. It remains uncertain how many days the Mentilin had been straying in the human settlement, which allowed the worms found in its intestines to reach the adult stage. Typically, Ascaris sp. requires about two to three months to develop into adults after the ingestion of infective eggs (CDC, 2019).
Figure 3. Adult worms of Ascaris sp. in feces in Mentilin (source: PPS Alobi Foundation)
The investigation report of the necropsy case in the Mentilin is expected to serve as a collective learning opportunity regarding the importance of maintaining the balance of natural ecosystems. One of the measures that can be taken is the preservation of natural habitats to minimize conflicts between humans and wildlife. This effort may also reduce the risk of zoonotic transmission, both from humans to animals and vice versa (Barbosa et al., 2025).
It should be noted that the Mentilin is an endemic species of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, currently classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The species is also legally protected under Indonesian Law No. 32 of 2024.
For reference, the reporting of post-necropsy diagnostic results of animals that die within the rehabilitation center of the Alobi Foundation Wildlife Rescue Center (PPS Alobi Foundation) is one of the required procedures for research purposes. This is regulated under Law No. 32 of 2024 concerning the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems, as well as its derivative regulations on the utilization and preservation of flora and fauna. Necropsy, or post-mortem examination of wildlife, is generally conducted by authorized parties for research, disease identification, or wildlife mortality investigation (BPK RI, 2024).
*) drh. Joko Trianto, veterinarian PPS Alobi Foundation
Daftar Pustaka
Barbosa, B.E.P., Alves, A.C.D.T., Miranda, B.D.P., Santoz, B.A.D., Belsito, A.C., Magalhaes, I.D.F.B., and Barros, L.A. 2025. Ascaris Lumbricoides Infection in captive black sakis (Chiroptes utahickae): a case report and implications for zoonotic transmission. Brazillian Journal of Veterinary Medicine. Brazil
BPK RI. 2024. Perubahan Atas Undang – Undang Nomor 5 Tahun 1990 Tentang Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam Hayati Dan Ekosistemnya. Jakarta: Presiden Republik Indonesia
CDC. 2019. Askariasis. National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID). https://www-cdc-gov [01 September 2025]
IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources). 2008. Tarsius bancanus (Horsfield’s Tarsier, Western Tarsier). https://www.iucnredlist.org/details. [01 September 2025]
Michaud, C., Tantalean, M., Ique, C., Montoya, E., and Gozalo, A. 2003. A survey for helminth parasites in feral New World non-human primate populations and its comparison with parasitological data from man in the region. Journal of Medical Primatology.
Subronto. 2010. Penyakit Infeksi Parasit Dan Mikroba Pada Anjing Dan Kucing. Gadjah Mada University Press. Yogyakarta.
#salamlestari#ppsalobibabel#alobi#bangkabelitung#Cephalopachus bancanus#Investigation
Writter : drh.Joko Trianto
Editor : Langka Sani, Finlan adhitya aldan, Nuriyani Apriza
