Dynamic analysis of Capreolus pygargus home range in Saihanwula Nature Reserve, Inner Mongolia of northern China

  Objective  This paper aims to understand the annual and seasonal dynamics of home ranges for Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) in the relatively isolated habitat of nature reserve and reveal its adaptation to the microhabitat and predation risk, so as to provide basic information for promoting population restoration and habitat protection.

  Method  Radio telemetry and triangular positioning were carried out on the ground and the model of the minimum convex polygon was applied in the calculation of home range in Saihanwula National Nature Reserve of Inner Mongolia, northern China.

  Result  A total of 8 animals were captured in this study, 3 of which were confirmed been preyed by lynx through camera trapping, which indicated an increasing predation risk in the study area. There were some differences between the annual and seasonal home ranges of roe deer and the spring home range was obviously larger than the other three seasons. The roe deer tended to migrate from the hillside at high altitudes to the lower valley in winter. There were also some differences between the breeding and non-breeding periods, between sub-adults and adults in home range variations. There were overlaps in the annual home ranges of the individuals, indicating that the core home range was relatively stable.

  Conclusion  The influencing factors shaping the variations of annual and seasonal home ranges of the Siberian roe deer could be attributed to foraging opportunities, predation risk and energy requirements in the nature reserve. Accordingly, management strategies of supplying nutrient salt blocks and overwintering feeds are proposed to support the recovery of the roe deer population in the study area.