A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING THE ENDANGERED KASHMIR MUSK DEER: BIOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND DISTRIBUTION

Abstract

A worldwide threatened species, the Kashmir musk deer (Moschus cupreus) has been captured illegally for its very costly aromatic musk gland. Although the species of musk deer is in danger of being dying out, it is however one of the at least researched. In the year 2019, experts identified using DNA testing the the Kashmir musk deer occupies the Mustang mountain range region of Nepal. The finding offered new possibilities for investigation into such unique and cryptic species that are generally tricky to spot on its natural environment. The main method that Musk deer interact with other deer is by using sanitary facilities, when frequently place waste it works as a kind of smell communication. These locations provide a variety of reasons, such as separating habitat and communicating data associated with mating. The main goal of this research was to find out what microhabitat features affect the Kashmir musk deer's restroom selection in the Mustang formulation, Nepal. For the purpose of the study, researchers performed an extensive investigation to find areas that had and had not restroom sites. Several environmental variables, like height, gradient, gradient position, plant width, brush width, the regenerative width, have been recorded throughout the investigation. While both kinds of patches were contrasted, there were several obvious differences in the vegetative characteristics, such as tree height, regeneration size, forest reach, and the wildlife path length. The gathered data was further analyzed using a Flexible linear model and a sigmoid function. The results showed that determining whether a location is suitable for toilet facilities depends critically on the link between tree height and regeneration height. Latrine sites are more prevalent in areas with greater tree and regenerating plant heights, according to the data, which also showed a substantial association between latrine locations and tree and regenerative plant heights. These plant conditions involve such local microclimatic elements as temperature, water content of the soil, velocity of the wind, and exposure to sunlight. Several factors in the environment enhance the extended development of smell indications at restroom locations. Thus, knowing the relationship between microhabitat features and lavatory place dispersion is essential for maintaining natural environments that allow musk deer to connect with each other. Several conservation approaches, such as captivity breeding initiatives, anti-poaching efforts, and species restoration projects, can also make use of this data.