Behavioral Observations of Goral (Naemorhedus griseus) in Captivity

Abstract

A study of goral (Naemorhedus griseus) behavior was conducted in Om Koi wildlife sanctuary (Om Koi wildlife breeding station). A group of nine gorals, consisting of 3 adult males, 3 adult females and 3 juveniles, were categorized into 3 groups. Each group was kept in a 40 x 40 m 2 enclosure. The behavioral patterns were observed using the focal-scan sampling method and/or descriptive method. The results included the six most common behavioral patterns that the animals typically displayed: viz. feeding (forage), feeding (concentrated), ruminating, standing, walking and resting at 0.83%, 4.24%, 7.80%, 42.42%, 13.11% and 11.97% for the male gorals and 14.58%, 9.39%, 6.67%, 42.05%, 11.97% and 7.73% for the female gorals, and 9.85% 3.94%, 5.53%, 31.74%, 14.02% and 15.05% for the juvenile gorals, respectively. Moreover, the goral behavior patterns were observed before and after the radio collars were put on and they did not differ significantly (p> 0.05). This indicates that the radio collars can be used to track the gorals over large areas. The observations made this study can provide new knowledge of goral behavior that can be used as a conservation management tool, especially for the re-establishment and monitoring of the goral population. An effective conservation program can be used as a first important step in an overall plan to conserve gorals in their natural habitats.