Habitat Utilization by Alpine Musk Deer, Moschus chrysogaster (Artiodactyla, Moschidae), in Khaptad National Park, Nepal.
Abstract
The musk deer is one of the solitary and crepuscular species that distributes throughout an alpine ecosystem. The limited individuals of musk deer are facing multiple threats, and anthropogenic one of the most pressured. Our study was conducted in the western, Nepal, the Khaptad National Park. We employed a line transect method to understand the relationship between musk deer and their environments. Pellet group was found higher in the forested environment followed by open grassland, trails, and edge. Musk deer preferred an altitudinal range between 2400m and 3200m. Our study did not find any signs of the musk deer below 2400m and above 3200m. We found that the pellet group of the musk deer had mostly associated with close distance to water body; however it was found far distance to village. Avoiding edge areas by the muck deer could be the presence of livestock and human pressure. Anthropogenic pressure should be reduced in the musk deer habitats for long term musk deer conservation in Nepal.
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