Habitat utilizations of reintroduced critically endangered banteng (Bos javanicus) in Salakphra Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to measure speed of movement, home range, and habitat suitability for banteng (Bos javanicus) reintroduced into the environment of Salakphra Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) via GPS Collars. The daily movement distance of released banteng tended to increase during the first two months and then gradually decreased at a daily movement distance of 9, 7.9, and 5.3 km/day, covering an area size of 1.1, 1.02, and 1.06 km²/day, respectively. The habitat areas used according to Minimum Convex Polygon (95%MPC) were 6.8, 5.9, and 0.3 km², while Autocorrelated Kernal Density Estimate (95% AKDE) showed 10.2, 6.9, and 2.8 km², respectively. The most suitable habitat of banteng were 7.9, 1.9, and 8.5 km², respectively. The main environmental factors were distance to water sources, salt licks, roads, and forest guard stations. During the training period, diel activity of banteng was highest at 1:00 am followed by rest until 12.00 pm, with an overlap of 58%. Meanwhile the accidentally escaped banteng was most active at 3:00 am. Banteng reintroduction programs can thus be expected to support animals as they explore and establish home ranges in a new environment.