Conservation threats to the endangered golden langur (Trachypithecus geei, Khajuria 1956) in Bhutan

Title
Conservation threats to the endangered golden langur (Trachypithecus geei, Khajuria 1956) in Bhutan
Publication Date
2020
Author(s)
Thinley, Phuntsho
Norbu, Tshewang
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
Dhendup, Phub
Tenzin, Jigme
Choki, Karma
Wangchuk, Singye
Wangchuk, Tshering
Wangdi, Sonam
Chhetri, Dambar Bahadur
Powrel, Reta Bahadur
Dorji, Kezang
Rinchen, Kado
Dorji, Namgay
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Springer Japan KK
Place of publication
Japan
DOI
10.1007/s10329-019-00777-2
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/27933
Abstract
Threat assessment is critical to species conservation and management planning, because prior identification and assessment of key threats to conservation planning can assist in developing appropriate interventions or strategies. Comprehensive threat assessments are currently lacking for many threatened primates. In this paper, we classify and rank all direct threats to the endangered golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) in Bhutan in order to provide a practical guide to future conservation of the species. Information on threats was based on interviews with local people, discussion with field forestry staff, and social media interaction. We classified threats to golden langur habitats and populations, and ranked them using Miradi™, an analytical software for the adaptive management of conservation projects. We identified five habitat threats: (1) hydropower development, (2) road development, (3) housing development, (4) resource extraction, and (5) agricultural expansion. We also identified seven population threats: (1) electrocution, (2) road kill, (3) road injury, (4) dog kill, (5) retaliatory killing, (6) illegal pet keeping, and (7) hybridization with capped langurs. We rated the overall threat to golden langurs in Bhutan as 'medium'. Hydropower, road, and housing development constituted 'high' impact, while agricultural expansion, resource extraction, electrocution, and road kill had 'medium' impact; the remaining threats had 'low' impact. To immediately mitigate threats to golden langurs, we recommend: (a) installing speed limit signage and speed breakers with strict enforcement of speed limits; (b) installing insulated electric cables and fencing around power transformers; and (c) reducing and restraining domestic dog populations.
Link
Citation
Primates: journal of primatology, v.61, p. 257-266
ISSN
1610-7365
0032-8332
Pubmed ID
31808016
Start page
257
End page
266

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