Seasonal migration and home ranges of Tibetan antelopes (Pantholops hodgsonii) based on satellite tracking

Abstract

Background: Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), an endemic species of the Tibetan Plateau listed on IUCN Red List, migrates over the long distances for calving. It has an unequal feature that only females do seasonal migration. However, the problems of seasonal migration and inhabitation of Tibetan antelope have not yet been clarified. Methodology: To identify the ecological drivers of the Tibetan antelope migration in terms of geographical characteristics, topographical variables of their home ranges and the factors affecting the habitat selection within the seasons, there are utilized the Argos transmitter satellite tracking of the Tibetan antelope. The analysis was made by using the LoCoH Hull method for the home range estimation made for this species for the first time. Results: Tibetan antelope has spent more time on the way back from calving, than the way forward. The annual habitation area varies from 2024-2908 km2 with average of 2409 km2 and the wintering place locates in a valley with the average HR of 441 km2. Conclusion: The results of monitoring and LoCoH Hull Home Range (HR) analysis showed that the calving ground location continues to be stable, while wintering places changes easily, one-third of samples changed its wintering pastures and could be adjacent to different groups. This is an important results that leads to the protection and management of endangered species on the Red List like Tibetan antelope.