IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Murdoch, J.; Reading, R. | |
| Conserving the elusive Pallas cat and other carnivores of the Mongolian steppes | |
| 2005 Full Book | |
In September 2004, we began intensive field study efforts at the Ikh Nartiin Chuluun Nature Reserve, located in the East Gobi province of Mongolia. The reserve is situated at the junction of grassland and desert steppe ecosystems and harbours populations of Pallas cats, corsac and red foxes, badgers, and other carnivores. To date, we have radio-collared several animals of each species that we now track periodically. In fact,our project was the first to ever radio collar a corsac fox in history, and we are among the first to tag wild Pallas' cats for study. The information we obtain from radio tracking allows us to determine the ranging behaviour of each species - that is how much space and habitat they require. It also provides information on when each species is active and how different species interact with one another. We collect scats (feces) and analyze them to understand the diet of each carnivore species and how food preferences changes each season. In addition, our diet analysis also involves surveying the abundance of small mammals that include gerbils, jerboas, hamsters, pikas and hares. In October 2004, our surveys uncovered an unknown jerboa species that may be new to science. Our small mammal research is particularly important for understanding how populations respond to predation by carnivores. This will help us develop alternatives to rodent poisoning efforts in the steppes. |
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