Abstract
ABSTRACTThe takin (Budorcas taxicolor) inhabits mountainous forests and exhibits seasonal migration along an altitudinal gradient. Its home range is largely unknown, yet this information is important to help guide the conservation of this threatened species. We conducted a global positioning system (GPS) radio‐tracking study to determine the home ranges of 10 takins in the middle range of the Qinling Mountains, China, from August 2013 to August 2015. Their annual home ranges averaged 69.7 km2 (range = 21.3–188.5 km2) using the 100% minimum convex polygon (MCP), and 25.3 km2 (range = 10.4–44.8 km2) using a 95% kernel density estimate (KDE) revealing variation among individuals. Because takins are sexually dimorphic, we predicted that males would have larger home ranges than females. However, annual and seasonal home ranges of females were as large as, or larger than, those of males. These results are attributed to body size, sex, reproduction, and grouping behavior. Home range sizes of takins varied seasonally with the smallest range in winter (MCP = F3,44 = 4.40, P = 0.009; KDE = F3,44 = 6.28, P = 0.001); this variation was caused by their migratory behavior and the seasonal environment. For effective conservation of takins, managers of the Nature Reserves should unify management and conserve habitats used at all elevations. © 2017 The Wildlife Society
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