Local knowledge and attitude towards the Vulnerable Bhutan takin Budorcas whitei among residents living within its seasonal range

Title
Local knowledge and attitude towards the Vulnerable Bhutan takin Budorcas whitei among residents living within its seasonal range
Publication Date
2020
Author(s)
Sangay, Tiger
Rajaratnam, Rajanathan
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5932-7935
Email: rrajarat@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:rrajarat
Vernes, Karl
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1635-9950
Email: kvernes@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:kvernes
Tighe, Matthew
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1017/S0030605318000418
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/26561
Abstract
We assessed local knowledge of and attitudes towards a large, endemic bovid, the Bhutan takin Budorcas whitei, within its seasonal range in Jigme Dorji National Park, Bhutan. Using semi-structured questionnaires, data were collected in March 2015 from interviews with 169 park residents. A conditional inference tree analysis was used to explore associations between demography, locality, and secondary response variables through questions relating to respondents’ knowledge of the takin's status as a protected species, a Vulnerable species, and as the national animal. Most respondents knew the takin was Bhutan's national animal, and of those, a significantly high proportion also knew of its protected status. Significantly more respondents residing in the species’ summer, rather than winter, range were aware of the takin's Vulnerable status. Most respondents expressed positive feelings towards the takin and supported its protection. This strong positive attitude, in conjunction with awareness-raising efforts, could be valuable for promoting the takin as a montane flagship species.
Link
Citation
Oryx, 54(3), p. 359-365
ISSN
1365-3008
0030-6053
Start page
359
End page
365

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