Khanchai Prasanai, Ronglarp Sukmasuang, Naris Bhumpakphan, Worawidh Wajjwalku, and Kanjana Nittaya

pp. 263 - 271

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to study population characteristics of hog deer released into the wild, namely: density,
age structure, sex ratio, recruitment rate, threats to hog deer, carrying capacity and inter-specific relationships, as well as to
assess the population viability over time. In this study, direct observation was used to study the hog deer population characteristics, and population density was estimated from the pellet-group count method. Vortex program was used to analyze the
population viability. Results showed that the population density of hog deer at Thung Ka Mung (TKM) in Phu Khieo Wildlife
Sanctuary (PKWS) was 2.03-2.04 individuals/hectare (SD = 1.25). The population structure showed that the average herd size
was 9.57 individuals. Hog deer in TKM preferred to stay with a group (91.5%), rather than being solitary (8.5%). The sex ratio
for males to females was 54.64:100, and for females to fawns was 100:26.18. The annual recruitment rate was 16.98 %. Their
predators were Asian wild dogs, Burmese pythons, Asiatic jackals, leopard cats and clouded leopards. The mortality rate of
the existing hog deer in TKM during the study period was 18.1%. The habitat sharing by camera traps revealed 4 ungulate
species. They were sambar deer, barking deer, wild boar, and elephant, and their relative abundance were 28.41%, 7.38%,
4.70%, and 2.01% respectively. Fifty-year simulation modeling using population viability analysis indicated the sustainability
of this population. Hog deer population in the simulations did not exhibit sensitivity to an increase or decrease in carrying
capacity. Habitat management should be carried out continuously in TKM area, which is the main habitat for hog deer in
PKWS.