Distribution and habitat use of the endangered Dhole Cuon alpinus (Pallas, 1811) (Mammalia: Canidae) in Jigme Dorji National Park, western Bhutan
The Dhole is a little-studied wild canid with decreasing populations throughout its global range. We conducted this study in Bhutan’s Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) to establish baseline records of Dhole distribution and habitat use. We used trail transects and recorded animal presence via tracks...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society
2017-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of Threatened Taxa |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/3091 |
| _version_ | 1824022504610463744 |
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| author | Chhimi Namgyal Phuntsho Thinley |
| author_facet | Chhimi Namgyal Phuntsho Thinley |
| author_sort | Chhimi Namgyal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Dhole is a little-studied wild canid with decreasing populations throughout its global range. We conducted this study in Bhutan’s Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) to establish baseline records of Dhole distribution and habitat use. We used trail transects and recorded animal presence via tracks, scats, direct sightings and camera traps. Ancillary habitat characteristics such as elevation, slope and vegetation cover were recorded to characterise habitat use. We used MaxEnt model to estimate distribution within JDNP. We recorded 609 indicators of Dhole presence over a 60-day survey period. The model estimated almost one-fourth of JDNP as having a high probability of Dhole occurrence, which closely corresponds to the distribution of cool broadleaved forests (CBLF) and areas close to human settlements. The highest number of indicators was obtained from CBLF, between slope ranges of 2 – 38 degree and elevation ranges of 1,468 m – 4,620 m above sea level, indicating a new record upper altitude limit for Dhole distribution across its global range. We highlight JDNP as an important Dhole conservation area in the Eastern Himalayas, and recommend drafting a pragmatic conservation plan that will strive to minimize conflicts with livestock owners and include key components such as farmer education and livestock insurance to cover Dhole kills. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T09:21:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6462620cb67d48b0968b3050eafd48e6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0974-7893 0974-7907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T09:21:41Z |
| publishDate | 2017-09-01 |
| publisher | Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Threatened Taxa |
| spelling | doaj.art-6462620cb67d48b0968b3050eafd48e62022-12-21T20:27:58ZengWildlife Information Liaison Development SocietyJournal of Threatened Taxa0974-78930974-79072017-09-0199106491065510.11609/jott.3091.9.9.10649-106553091Distribution and habitat use of the endangered Dhole Cuon alpinus (Pallas, 1811) (Mammalia: Canidae) in Jigme Dorji National Park, western BhutanChhimi Namgyal0Phuntsho Thinley1igme Dorji National Park, Department of Forests and Park Services, Damji, Gasa, BhutanUgyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment Research, Department of Forests and Park Services, Lamoigoenpa, Bumthang, BhutanThe Dhole is a little-studied wild canid with decreasing populations throughout its global range. We conducted this study in Bhutan’s Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) to establish baseline records of Dhole distribution and habitat use. We used trail transects and recorded animal presence via tracks, scats, direct sightings and camera traps. Ancillary habitat characteristics such as elevation, slope and vegetation cover were recorded to characterise habitat use. We used MaxEnt model to estimate distribution within JDNP. We recorded 609 indicators of Dhole presence over a 60-day survey period. The model estimated almost one-fourth of JDNP as having a high probability of Dhole occurrence, which closely corresponds to the distribution of cool broadleaved forests (CBLF) and areas close to human settlements. The highest number of indicators was obtained from CBLF, between slope ranges of 2 – 38 degree and elevation ranges of 1,468 m – 4,620 m above sea level, indicating a new record upper altitude limit for Dhole distribution across its global range. We highlight JDNP as an important Dhole conservation area in the Eastern Himalayas, and recommend drafting a pragmatic conservation plan that will strive to minimize conflicts with livestock owners and include key components such as farmer education and livestock insurance to cover Dhole kills.https://www.threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/3091bhutandhole conservationdhole distributioneastern himalayaendangered carnivorehabitat usejigme dorji national park. |
| spellingShingle | Chhimi Namgyal Phuntsho Thinley Distribution and habitat use of the endangered Dhole Cuon alpinus (Pallas, 1811) (Mammalia: Canidae) in Jigme Dorji National Park, western Bhutan Journal of Threatened Taxa bhutan dhole conservation dhole distribution eastern himalaya endangered carnivore habitat use jigme dorji national park. |
| title | Distribution and habitat use of the endangered Dhole Cuon alpinus (Pallas, 1811) (Mammalia: Canidae) in Jigme Dorji National Park, western Bhutan |
| title_full | Distribution and habitat use of the endangered Dhole Cuon alpinus (Pallas, 1811) (Mammalia: Canidae) in Jigme Dorji National Park, western Bhutan |
| title_fullStr | Distribution and habitat use of the endangered Dhole Cuon alpinus (Pallas, 1811) (Mammalia: Canidae) in Jigme Dorji National Park, western Bhutan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distribution and habitat use of the endangered Dhole Cuon alpinus (Pallas, 1811) (Mammalia: Canidae) in Jigme Dorji National Park, western Bhutan |
| title_short | Distribution and habitat use of the endangered Dhole Cuon alpinus (Pallas, 1811) (Mammalia: Canidae) in Jigme Dorji National Park, western Bhutan |
| title_sort | distribution and habitat use of the endangered dhole cuon alpinus pallas 1811 mammalia canidae in jigme dorji national park western bhutan |
| topic | bhutan dhole conservation dhole distribution eastern himalaya endangered carnivore habitat use jigme dorji national park. |
| url | https://www.threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/3091 |
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