Title
UNGULATES IN NORTHWEST TIBET
Author(s)
George B. Schaller; Gu Binyuan
Published
1994
Publisher
RESEARCH & EXPLORATION
Abstract
The 6 wild and 4 domestic ungulate species in the 1800-km2 Aru basin were studied and compared during the summers of 1990 and 1992. In August 1990, an estimated 2100 animals used 1150 km2 of suitable habitat, an ecological density of 1.9 animals/km2 of which 37% were wild yaks and 32% chiru (Tibetan antelopes), followed by kiangs (Tibetan wild ass), blue sheep, Tibetan gazelles, and Tibetan argali sheep; total biomass was approximately 313 kg/km2 of wild ungulates and 139 kg/km2 of domestic yaks, sheep, goats, and horses. Wild and domestic species overlapped broadly in the temporal and spatial use of their habitat, but somewhat different feeding strategies helped reduce competition. Commercial hunting threatens the future of all wildlife in the Aru basin. Wild yaks have been exterminated or decimated in large areas of northern Tibet for their meat, and chiru will soon be reduced to small remnants unless the illegal trade in their wool is halted.
Keywords
ANTELOPE; ECOLOGY

Access Full Text

A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.



Back

PUB11836