Abstract:

We conducted a camera-trapping survey in the Kanas River Valley of Xinjiang Kanas National Nature Reserve (XKNNR), China specifically for inventorying the mammal and bird diversity. We collected 2,038 independent detections from June 2014 to August 2016 over 12,006 camera-days at 36 locations. The survey identified 51 species, including 15 mammal species belonging to four orders and eight families, and 36 avian species classified into nine orders and 15 families. The sable Martes zibellina, wolverine Gulo gulo, and black stork Ciconia nigra are listed as Class I National Protected Wildlife and 11 species as Class II. According to the Red List of China’s Vertebrates, nine species are threatened in the reserve, while the moose Alces alces is Critically Endangered (CR), three species including the wolverine, wapiti Cervus canadensis, and capercaillie Tetrao urogallus as Endangered (EN), and five species as Vulnerable (VU). Fourteen avian species including white-backed woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos were newly recorded in XKNNR along with the first photograph of A. a. alces in the wild taken during the survey. The relative abundance index (RAI) results showed Cervus canadensis was a dominant species at Kanas River Valley (RAI = 9.878). The most abundant avian species was the spotted nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes, 0.258). Further investigations are recommended to determine the status and threats of the species, especially the musk deer Moschus moschiferus and snow leopard Panthera uncia. Our results added new data to the mammal and bird diversity in the Kanas River Valley of Altai Mountains, which can assist in improving species conservation and reserve management in the area.

Key words: Altai Mountains, camera trap, species inventory, Taiga, Kanas National Nature Reserve