Food and nutrition of Gaur (Bos gaurus C.H. Smith, 1827) at the edge of Khao Yai National Park, Thailand

Rattanawat Chaiyarat,Naris Bhumpakphan,Suphat Prasopsin

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82858-1

Rattanawat Chaiyarat, Naris Bhumpakphan + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82858-1

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Abstract

The presence of gaur (Bos gaurus) at the border of Khao Yai National Park (KYNP) in Thailand has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of individuals’ crop feeding. This study examines the feeding adaptations of gaur at the edge of the protected area and assesses whether gaur response to increased nutrient availability in crop plants compared to natural forage. During the day, gaur mostly utilized forest areas in KYNP and entered the agricultural areas at night. Gaur ate 43 natural forage species. Natural forage species contain high levels of crude protein and lipid, but they are found in small quantities and scattered areas when compared to crop plants, especially Zea mays L., that are available in large quantity and are heavily foraged on by gaur. However, greater understanding of the electivity index and nutrition of forage species along the edge of the protected area can be used to reduce the gaur-human conflict by keeping gaur in KYNP. Reducing the large monoculture areas that is the food sources of gaur along the edge may reduce or prevent gaur leaving the park and can be applied to advance conservation actions.

Highlights

Gaur (Bos gaurus), family Bovidae (Fig. 1), is globally vulnerable[4], and protected under the Thai Reserved and Protected Animals Act, B.C.25625
We studied natural forage and crop species and nutrition to test the hypothesis that gaur were feeding more on highly nutritious crops grown outside the Khao Yai National Park (KYNP) than on natural forage species
We investigate the feeding adaptations of gaur at the edge of a protected area and expect that gaur, Bos gaurus, caused crop damage in response to increased nutrient availability in crop plants compared to natural forage

Summary

Introduction

Gaur (Bos gaurus), family Bovidae (Fig. 1), is globally vulnerable[4], and protected under the Thai Reserved and Protected Animals Act, B.C.25625. In the seasonal forest ecosystems of Thailand and India, gaur live in higher densities in mixed deciduous forests[13] than in other available h abitats[14] due to the former having a richer array of available food types. This allows them to graze and browse at a single location[12]. We investigate the feeding adaptations of gaur at the edge of a protected area and expect that gaur, Bos gaurus, caused crop damage in response to increased nutrient availability in crop plants compared to natural forage

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Conclusion