Preliminary Investigation on Mammal and Bird Resources Using Camera Traps in Shenguozhuang Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province

From April 2008 to December 2021, infrared cameras were used to monitor large and medium-sized mammals and ground birds in and around the Shenguozhuang Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province. 102 camera monitoring sites were set up during the research period, with a total of 25588 effective camera working days, a total of 4705 independent and effective records were obtained, 20 species of 5 orders and 15 families of wild mammals and 40 species of 4 orders and 11 families of wild birds were identified, including 2 species of national class I and 15 species of national class II key protected wild animals. Two species were evaluated as Endangered by IUCN Red List, 6 as Vulnerable and 2 as Near Threatened. Based on the relative abundance index, Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) (RAI=2.149), Red panda (Ailurus fulgens) (RAI=1.622), Temminck’s Tragopan (Tragopan temminckii) (RAI=1.614), Tufted Deer (Elaphodus cephalophus) (RAI=1.501) and Lady Amherst's Pheasant (Chrysolophus amherstiae) (RAI=1.450) were ranked as the 5 most abundant mammal and bird species. Based on the site occupancy, Red panda (SO=63.73%), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) (SO=47.06%), Tufted Deer (SO=43.14%), Mainland Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) (SO=42.16%) and Blood Pheasant (SO=41.18%) were ranked as the 5 most abundant mammal and bird species. The results of activity rhythm analysis showed that the Tufted Deer, Red panda, Temminck’s Tragopan and Blood Pheasant were diurnal animals, moreover, the Tufted Deer and Temminck’s Tragopan had certain morning and dusk activities. The results of this study provide important mammals and birds information and provide important basic data for the improvement of mammal and bird species cataloging, subsequent scientific research and conservation management in the reserve.