Status, habitat use and conservation of Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) in Uttarakhand Himalayas, India

Abstract

Population status, habitat use and threats to conservation of Alpine musk deer (AMD; Moschus chrysogaster) were studied at 13 sites between 2500 and 4500 m a.s.l. in Uttarakhand Himalayas (India) from October 2003 to December 2006. Forest trails were monitored to estimate the abundance of AMD. Data on current status and habitat use of AMD and associated ungulate species were collected by sampling of pellet groups. The relative abundance of AMD in terms of encounter rate (groups/km) and pellet groups density (pellet groups/ha) was highest in Saukherk (1.3 groups/km and 58.8 ± 8.9 pellet groups/ha, respectively). AMD pellet group numbers-habitat assessment matrix was subjected to principal component analysis to determine ecological gradients governing spatial occurrence of AMD. The first two principal components accounted for 23.7% of variation and these were related to shrub-layer attributes and livestock dung abundance, grazing and grass density, respectively. The discriminant function analysis was performed to determine spatial ecological separation between AMD and other sympatric ungulate species. Altitude, shrub density, distance to human habitation and herb density were key factors which separate musk deer from other species. Poaching of AMD for musk gland emerged as principal threat to species across sites. Elimination of poaching, strengthening the management of existing protected areas (PA) and involvement of local communities are recommended for long-term conservation of AMD.