Final Report - Asian Development Bank

108
TA 4721-PRC: Preparing the Shaanxi-Qinling Mountains Integrated Ecosystem Management Project
Final Report Appendix 5
Although the species is listed as Endangered, there have been few
studies of its ecology in the wild. Populations in the Qinling are
informally reported to be increasing but this might be due to
increasing frequency of complaints from farmers about crop damage
as farmland increasingly encroaches on Takin habitat. Long-term
field study of Golden Takin is needed to describe biology, ecology,
and regional distribution on seasonal and spatial bases and to
estimate population sizes and trends; the status of the population on
the proposed Project Area and in the greater Qinling needs to be
quantified; assess the frequency and economic impacts of depredation
on crops and/or orchards by Golden Takin. Prepare GIS databases and
maps of Golden Takin distribution; identify habitat preferences and
delimit critical habitats.
Conservation: Conduct review of protection actions, plans, methods and
recommend improvements based on results of field studies; prepare
and implement a Golden Takin Conservation Plan for implementation
in the Project area and in the Qinling nature reserves; assess the
extent of coverage of critical habitats by the protected area system;
make recommendations for extensions of protected areas to enhance
protection
Capacity Building: Train reserve wardens and researchers to report Golden Takin locations
and use GPS equipment to record locations and group
sizes/compositions. Provide field study equipment including cameratraps
and radio-telemetry equipment for Golden Takin studies.
Public Awareness: Carry out public awareness campaigns to alert the public to the
conservation program and elicit public support for conservation of
Golden Takin and their habitats.