Abstract:

The home range of wild camels (Camelus ferus) was studied qualitatively using standard techniques. This study focused on the home range of wild camels in the Lop Nur, China using GPS satellite tracking collar technology. From May 2012 to July 2013, GPS collars were fitted to 8 wild camels in areas to the north of the Arjin Mountains and Aqik Valley, the most important habitat of the wild camel. The 100% minimum convex polygons (MCP) home range ranged from 1,775 to 11,768 km² with a mean range of 7,349 ± 1,323 km². The total square kilometers of the home range was 32,821 km², nearly 23.1% of the entire wild camel range in Lop Nur. Overlap in home range was common between different individuals. One individual was isolated compared to the other 7 individuals. The home range of these 7 individuals was 24,910 km², 17.5% of the entire wild camel range in Lop Nur. The overlapping area of the 7 individuals was 515 km². The home range area was largest in the autumn and smallest in the spring. The autumn home range was four times larger than that of the spring range. Home range was also affected by phonological phase of the individuals though the results were not significant. The range during breeding season was 879 ± 320 km² and 998 ± 106 km² in the anestrous season. The results of this study provide a preliminary description of the home range of wild camels in Lop Nur and provide a basis for adjustment of the current management plan for core zone and buffer zone in the Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve.

Key words: wild camel, behavior, GPS collar, home range, conservation