Threats to endangered musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) in the Khaptad National Park, Nepal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2019-0020Keywords:
conservation, Himalayas, mammals, poachers, Red listAbstract
The Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) is classified as an “Endangered” species by the IUCN Red list category. We studied anthropogenic pressure on the musk deer population in the Khaptad National Park, Nepal. The questionnaire survey was applied from October to November 2018. Out of 111 respondents, 77% reported that the primary objective for poacher kills to the musk deer was musk pod, followed by skin (15%) and meat (8%). The major part of the killing tools represented traps; however, 23% respondents stated that poachers also use snares, 20% respondents reported guns, and 18% persons interviewed had no idea regarding the tool the poachers use to kill the musk deer. There was a significant difference between the male and female respondents regarding their opinion on musk deer conservation; male respondents exhibited more positive attitudes towards musk deer conservation than female respondents (Chi-squared 8.21; P < 0.05). People based conservation awareness programs and alternative income generating sources must be employed for long term musk deer conservation in the Nepal Himalayas.
References
Baral, H.S., Shah, K.B., 2008. Wild mammals of Nepal. Kathmandu. Nepal: Himalayan Nature. 188 p.
Bhandari, S., Bhusal, D.R., 2017. Notes on human-hyena (Hyaena hyaena Linnaeus, 1758) conflict in Jajarkot, Kalikot and Mahottari districts of Nepal. Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 22:127–131. https://doi.org/10.3126/jist.v22i1.17763
Bhandari, S., Rijal, B., Khanal, S., 2015. Status survey of striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena Linnaeus, 1758) and their conservation approaches in Rautahat and Sarlahi forests, Nepal. Journal of Natural History Museum, 29: 49–59. https://doi.org/10.3126/jnhm.v29i0.19037
Dendup, P., Namgay., Lham, C., 2018. Winter distribution and poaching of Himalayan musk deer Moschus chrysogaster and Moschus leucogaster in Jigme Dorji National Park, Bhutan. International Journal of Conservation Science, 9: 193–198.
Green, M.J., 1986. The distribution, status and conservation of the Himalayan musk deer Moschus chrysogaster. Biological Conservation, 35: 347–375. https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3207(86)90094-7
Kattel, B., 1992. Ecology of Himalayan musk deer in Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal. PhD thesis. Colorado State University, USA. 76 p.
Khan, A. A., Qureshi, B.U.D., Awan, M.S., 2006. Impact of musk trade on the decline in Himalayan musk deer Moschus chrysogaster population in Neelum valley, Pakistan. Current Science, 91: 696–699.
Majupuria, T.K, Majupuria, R.K., 2006. Wildlife and protected areas of Nepal. Bangkok, Thailand: Craftsman Press Ltd. 549 p.
Qureshi, B.D., Anwar, M., Hussain, I., Beg, M.A., 2013. Habitat utilization of Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) in the Musk Deer National Park Guraiz, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 23: 1366–1369.
Sathyakumar, S., Prasad, S.N., Walker, S., 1993. Status of captive Himalayan forest Himalayan musk deer Moschus chrysogaster in India. International Zoo Yearbook, 32: 32–38. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1090.1992.tb02478.x
Shrestha, T.K., 1997. Mammals of Nepal, with reference to those of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Pakistan. Hingham, United Kingdom: Steven Simpson Natural History Books. 371 p.
Syed, Z., Ilyas, O., 2016. Habitat preference and feeding ecology of alpine Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand, India. Animal Production Science, 56: 978–987. https://doi.org/10.1071/AN141028
Thapamagar, T., Magar, K.T., Pandey, M., Bhandari, S., Bhusal. D.R., 2018. Habitat preferences and conservation status of Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) in Langtang National Park, Nepal. Journal of Ecology & Natural Resources, 2(6): 000152. https://doi.org/10.23880/jenr-16000152
Timmins, R.J., Duckworth, J.W., 2008. Moschus leucogaster. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T13901A4363664. [cit. 2019-10-12].
Xiuxiang, M., Caiquan, Z., Jinchu, H., Cao, L., Zhibin, M., Jinchao, F., Yijun, Z., Yinjiu, Z., 2006. Musk deer farming in China. Animal Science, 82: 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1079/ASC200516
Zhixiao, L., Helin, S., 2002. Effect of habitat fragmentation and isolation on the population of alpine Himalayan musk deer. Russian Journal of Ecology, 33: 121–124. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014456909480
Zhou, Y., Meng, X., Feng, J., Yang, Q., Feng, Z., Xia, L., Bartos, L., 2004. Review of the distribution, status and conservation of musk deer in China. Folia Zoologica-Praha, 53: 129–140.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This journal provides immediate open access to its content under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. Authors who publish with this journal retain all copyrights except for commercial rights (transfer of commercial rights) and agree to the terms of the above-mentioned CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.
