Home range and habitat utilization of gaur (Bos gaurus) in transition zone between protected forest and human-dominated landscape, Eastern Thailand

Abstract

Understanding the spatial ecology of an animal is crucial for its conservation and management, particularly for threatened species. The gaur (Bos gaurus), globally classified as vulnerable, is distributed across mainland South and Southeast Asia. In Thailand, the overall gaur population is decreasing, and suitable habitats are declining. Conversely, the gaur is well recovered in the Khao Phaeng Ma Non-hunting Area (KPM-NHA), a part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, recognized as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. Due to its abundance, this area faces the challenge of crop-raiding by gaurs. Thus, this research focuses on investigating the home range, movement, and habitat selection of gaurs in KPM-NHA and its surrounding areas. From October 2020 to July 2022, we obtained location data for 11 adult gaurs (eight males and three females) using a GPS-collar. We utilized the autocorrelated kernel density estimation (AKDE) method and the step-selection function (SSFs) to estimate the gaurs' home range, movement, and habitat selection. The results show that the gaur dwelled in KPM-NHA and moved around the protected areas and surrounding agricultural areas. The average home range size of males and females were 9.33 km2 (range 2.92–18.20 km2) and 4.09 km2 (range 1.44–6.11 km2), respectively. Regarding their movement, the average traveled distance was 6.38 km/day for males and 6.19 km/day for females. Gaurs preferred a lower canopy near the dry evergreen forest, grassland, field crop, rangeland, urban, and water body. The findings offer essential data for crafting an effective conservation approach. This information holds significance for public awareness and contributes to an improved strategy for mitigating human-gaur conflicts. Furthermore, the management of gaur habitats can utilize this data to establish guidelines, particularly for maintaining grasslands within protected areas.