Preliminary Camera-trapping Survey of Wild Mammals in Chaqingsongduo White-lipped Deer National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province

From August 2017 to August 2018, infrared camera technology was used to monitor and study wild mammals in Chaqingsongduo White-lipped Deer National Nature Reserve, Sichuan province. In this study, based on intensive survey of 6 031 efficient camera days at 88 locations, a total of 8 708 photographs and 423 videos of wild mammals were captured, among them 8 508 photographs and 403 videos of specific species of mammals were accurately identified and 1 237 independent and effective records were recorded. A total of 23 wild mammal species were identified, belonging to 11 families and 5 orders. Among them, Carnivora (10 species, 4 families) were the highest in species richness, followed by Artiodactyla (9 species, 4 families), Rodentia (2 species, 1 families), Primates (1 species, 1 families) and Lagomorpha (1 species, 1 families). Four species were listed as Class I national key protected wild animals in China and ten species as Class II. Two mammal species was evaluated as Endangered (EN) by IUCN Red List, three species as Near Threatened (NT) and five species as Vulnerable (VU). Based on the relative abundance index (RAI) and site occupancy (SO), Alpine Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster) (RAI=11.95; SO=75.00%), White-lipped Deer (Przewalskium albirostris) (RAI=3.93; SO=37.50%), Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur) (RAI=1.04; SO=21.59%), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) (RAI=0.96; SO=26.14%) and Chinese Serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii) (RAI=0.71; SO=23.86%) were ranked as the top five abundant mammal species. The valuable infrared image data of precious wildlife were obtained, and the species, relative abundance, distribution and disturbance factors of wild animals were preliminarily understood in the reserve. This study is the first monitoring study conducted by infrared camera since the establishment of the reserve in 1991. The research results are of great significance to further grasp the background data such as the diversity and distribution status of wild animals in the reserve, and meanwhile accumulate important basic data for the subsequent scientific research and protection management of the reserve.