![Journaloffthreaftenedtaxa](https://data.docslib.org/img/3a60ab92a6e30910dab9bd827208bcff-1.webp)
OPEN ACCESS All arfcles publfshed fn fhe Journal of Threafened Taxa are regfsfered under Creafve Commons Afrfbufon 4.0 Inferna - fonal Lfcense unless ofherwfse menfoned. JoTT allows unresfrfcfed use of arfcles fn any medfum, reproducfon and dfsfrfbufon by provfdfng adequafe credff fo fhe aufhors and fhe source of publfcafon. Journal of Threafened Taxa The fnfernafonal journal of conservafon and faxonomy www.fhreafenedfaxa.org ISSN 0974-7907 (Onlfne) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Prfnf) Communfcaffon Currenf dfsfrfbuffon and conservaffon sfafus of Bhufan Takfn Budorcas whffef Lydekker, 1907 (Arffodacfyla: Bovfdae) Tfger Sangay, Rajanafhan Rajarafnam & Karl Vernes 26 December 2016 | Vol. 8 | No. 14 | Pp. 9630–9637 10.11609/jof.2925.8.14. 9630-9637 For Focus, Scope, Afms, Polfcfes and Gufdelfnes vfsff hfp://fhreafenedfaxa.org/Abouf_JoTT.asp For Arfcle Submfssfon Gufdelfnes vfsff hfp://fhreafenedfaxa.org/Submfssfon_Gufdelfnes.asp For Polfcfes agafnsf Scfenffc Mfsconducf vfsff hfp://fhreafenedfaxa.org/JoTT_Polfcy_agafnsf_Scfenffc_Mfsconducf.asp For reprfnfs confacf <[email protected]> Publfsher/Hosf Parfner Threafened Taxa Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 December 2016 | 8(14): 9630–9637 Current distribution and conservation status of Communication Bhutan Takin Budorcas whitei Lydekker, 1907 ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) Tiger Sangay 1, Rajanathan Rajaratnam 2 & Karl Vernes 3 OPEN ACCESS 1 Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment, Lamai Goempa, Bumthang, Bhutan 2 Geography and Planning, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia 1,3 Ecosystem Management, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia 1 [email protected] (corresponding author), [email protected], [email protected] Abstract: The Bhutan Takin Budorcas whitei Lydekker, 1907 is endemic to Bhutan and it is categorized as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. While the other Takin species have been studied in China (Golden Takin B. bedfordi; Sichuan Takin B. tibetana) and India (Mishmi Takin B. taxicolor), only one study has focused on the Bhutan Takin. In this paper, we report the current distribution and conservation status of the Bhutan Takin using the information gathered through field surveys, interviews and unpublished reports. Bhutan Takin are seasonal migrants, occurring between 1500–5550 m, preferring areas in close proximity to river valleys and geothermal outlets (hot springs). Takin avoid areas that are disturbed by road construction and power transmission lines, and where they have to compete for forage with domestic livestock. Takin conservation in Bhutan requires: (1) a commitment to reduce disturbances from domestic livestock through better herding and animal husbandry practices, (2) environmentally friendly road construction, inclusive of wildlife corridors, (3) establishment of satellite offices and regularizing anti-poaching patrol systems, (4) development of education programs to enlist support for Takin conservation, and (5) encouragement of more research on the ecology and management needs of the species. Keywords: Bhutan, Budorcas, conservation, habitat, migration, Takin. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/jott.2925.8.14.9630-9637 | ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D7A7A6C2-B1BE-46D9-AEE7-CB404B2FADD1 Editor: Mewa Singh, University of Mysore, Mysuru, India. Date of publication: 26 December 2016 (online & print) Manuscript details: Ms # 2925 | Received 20 July 2016 | Final received 14 December 2016 | Finally accepted 17 December 2016 Citation: Sangay, T., R. Rajaratnam & K. Vernes (2016). Current distribution and conservation status of Bhutan Takin Budorcas whitei Lydekker, 1907 (Artiodactyla: Bovidae). Journal of Threatened Taxa 8(14): 9630–9637; http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/jott.2925.8.14.9630-9637 Copyright: © Sangay et al. 2016. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication. Funding: Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (MB0130Y13); Bhutan Foundation, University of New England, the Max Planck Institute and Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment. Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no competing interests. Author Details: Tiger Sangay is a PhD student at the University of New England (UNE), Australia, and works for the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment, Bhutan. He is interested in large mammalian ecology and biodiversity conservation in the Himalayan region. Rajanathan Rajaratnam is a biogeographer at UNE, with research experience and interest in small carnivores, primates and biodiversity conservation within the agricultural landscape of Borneo, as well as research experience on mammals in Bhutan. Karl Vernes is an Associate Professor in wildlife ecology and conservation at UNE, with research interests in mammal ecology and conservation. He has worked on a diversity of mammals in Canada, Australia and Bhutan. Author Contribution: TS: obtained funding, designed the study, analysed data, and prepared the manuscript. RR & KV: helped design the study and prepare the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Acknowledgements: The authors thank the Bhutan Department of Forests and Park Services for supporting this research, particularly, the Chief Forestry Officer and staff of JDNP who provided field assistance. The study was implemented as part of UWICE’s research activities and we thank Director Nawang Norbu for his support and fellow UWICE colleagues for field assistance. Associate Professor Warren Halloway (retired) is also thanked for editing the manuscript. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the valuable comments provided by two anonymous reviewers. 9630 Distribution and status of Bhutan Takin Sangay et al. INTRODUCTION et al. 2002; Ma & Wang 2008) report higher numbers of between 3,000 and 5,500 animals. Several thousand The Takin Budorcas taxicolor (Hodgson, 1850) Sichuan Takin are thought to inhabit the Qionglai and is a threatened forest-dwelling bovid native to the Min Mountains (Schaller 1985; Shackleton 1997) while temperate and subtropical forests in eastern Asia. It the Mishmi Takin’s population is estimated at about primarily occurs in Bhutan, China, northeastern India, 3,500 animals in China (Song et al. 2008) and about 220- and northern Myanmar (Neas & Hoffmann 1987; 300 animals in India (Dasgupta et al. 2010; Mahar et Shackleton 1997) with four extant subspecies previously al. 2011); while the best estimate of the Bhutan Takin described (Fig. 1). Each of these four subspecies is now population size in Bhutan is 500–700 animals (Sharma considered a full species (Groves & Leslie Jr. 2011). et al. 2015). Based on these various estimates, there are The Golden Takin B. bedfordi and the Sichuan Takin B. approximately 7,000–12,000 wild Takin across the range tibetana are both confined to China. B. bedfordi occurs of the four recognized species. in southern Shaanxi while B. tibetana is distributed The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (version southerly from the Sichuan-Gansu provincial border to 2012.2) lists the Takin as Vulnerable (A2cd) based on a the border with Yunnan Province (Song et al. 2008). The probable population decline of at least 30% over the last Mishmi Takin B. taxicolor ranges from southeast Tibet three generations, which equates to approximately 24 to the north-western Yunnan in China, with the central years (Song et al. 2008). In China, all Takin species are part of its range occurring in Arunachal Pradesh (India) listed as Class I species under the National Wildlife Law and northern Myanmar (Song et al. 2008; Dasgupta et (1988) which prohibits the hunting of wildlife species al. 2010; Mahar et al. 2011). The Bhutan Takin B. whitei that are rare or facing extinction (PRoC 1989). In India, distribution is mostly in Bhutan with records also from the Takin is listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Xizang in China and Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh in (Protection) Act (1972), which bans the hunting and India (Song et al. 2008; Groves & Leslie Jr. 2011). trade of listed animals (GoI 1972). In Bhutan, the Takin The Takin is a socially aggregating generalist is totally protected under Schedule I of the Forest and herbivore that migrates between sub-tropical forests as Nature Conservation Act of 1995 (RGoB 1995), and it is low as 700m in winter to sub-alpine regions up to 5,550m the national animal of Bhutan. in summer (Smith & Xie 2008; Sharma et al. 2015). Although legislatively well protected, the Takin faces Migratory routes often traverse several transitional many threats throughout its range. Despite stringent vegetation types at mid-altitudes ranging from conifer protective legislation, Takin are hunted illegally for forests to broad-leaved forests. These varied habitat trophies and meat in India (Mishra et al. 2006; Aiyadurai types are sources of an equally diverse diet for the et al. 2010; Dasgupta et al. 2010; Mahar et al. 2011). Takin that comprises grasses, herbs, bamboo, and the Furthermore, habitat throughout the Takin’s range has leaves of shrubs and trees. For example, the diet of been lost to deforestation and habitat disturbance. Takin in China has been shown to comprise 138 plant The Bhutan Takin is also seriously threatened through species (Schaller et al. 1986) and 161 plant species for competition for grazing habitat
Details
-
File Typepdf
-
Upload Time-
-
Content LanguagesEnglish
-
Upload UserAnonymous/Not logged-in
-
File Pages10 Page
-
File Size-