Population Status, Habitat Assessment and Threats of Cheer Pheasant Catreus Wallichii (Hardwicke, 1827) in Myagdi, Nepal
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Date
2018
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Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Central Department Zoology
Abstract
Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii) is a resident bird of Western Himalaya as a globally
vulnerable and nationally endangered species. This study aimed to assess population status,
determine the habitat use and explore the conservation threats of Cheer Pheasant in Myagdi.
Dawn call count method was used to estimate the population of Cheer Pheasant and survey
was conducted in 300m radius (n=25) call count station. As well as that quadrate method was
laid down for the vegetation density quantification and major threats were identified by
questionnaire method. Altogether 38 breeding individual with 96- 240 population size of
Cheer Pheasant was estimated. Population density 7 bird/km
2
has been estimated in study
area whereas entire detection rate was 1.50 bird/station. Elevation 1800-2400m was the
specific range of Cheer Pheasant whereas a maximum of 8 individuals were recorded from
lowest elevation 1800m in Daduwa. East and South aspects with moderately steep slope (10
0
35
0
) and steep slope (35
0
-67
0
) were the favorable specific geographical features of this
species. Corresponding to habitat feature was analyzed by generalized linear model methods
however population was directly correlated with the ground cover (95%CF, P<0.00011),
shrubs density (95%CF, P<0.0034) and soil temperature (95%CF, P<0.0293). Almost
habitats were located in around the human settlement (95%CF, P>0.064) although the
humidity (95CF, at P>-0.099) and tree density (95CF, at P>-0.021) were negative effects on
the Cheer distribution. Poaching, grazing, fire and habitat deterioration were the major
threats to Cheer Pheasant. Species action plan and conservation awareness program should
be necessary for the minimization of these threats in Myagdi.
Description
Keywords
Population, Status