Avoidance distance from Qinghai–Tibet Highway in sympatric Tibetan antelope and gazelle

Abstract

We compare the avoidance distances from Qinghai–Tibet Highway between two sympatric ungulate species, Tibetan antelope and Tibetan gazelle, in June and August of 2010 and July and August of 2011. The results show that Tibetan antelope avoid the road significantly more than Tibetan gazelle. At the times of day when traffic volume is high the avoidance distance in both species unexpectedly decreases. This suggests they are relatively undisturbed by the traffic but that they have a diurnal rhythm that involves resting far from the road in night.