Study on Habitat Preference of Chinese Goral (Naemorhedus griseus) in Wolong Nature Reserve, Sichuan

Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus) is widely distributed in China, and its habitat selection and preference is an important basis for species protection and management. From April 2017 to April 2018, 64 infrared cameras were randomly installed in three areas of high altitude, middle altitude, and low altitude in the south bank of Pitiao river in Wolong National Nature Reserve, to investigate the distribution of Chinese goral in this area. In addition, 12 kinds of habitat factors, including altitude, slope aspect, slope degree, vegetation succession, vegetation type, vegetation coverage, arbor coverage, arbor height, shrub coverage, shrub height, herb coverage, human disturbance, were recorded. The habitat preferences of Chinese goral in Wolong Nature Reserve were analyzed by two-sample chi-square test and Vanderloeg and Scavia Index. The results showed that: (1) Chinese goral in Wolong Nature Reserve was widely distributed at an altitude of 1500 m—4500 m, but it avoided the area above 4000 m, and preferred sunny slopes. (2) Chinese goral preferred the old growth forest with high vegetation coverage, high trees with good concealment, and 1—3 m high shrubs with sufficient food. Chinese goral was sensitive to human disturbance, and obviously escaped from the human disturbance areas.