Habitat association
We
recorded the presence evidences between the elevation range of 2600 m to
3600 m (Fig. 5). Out of those, 75% signs were recorded between 3250 m
and 3400 m. Likewise, we recorded most of these signs in North-West
aspect (23.6%) followed by West (19.1%), North-East (15.8%) and East
(14.5%) aspects (Fig. 4). Their least preference was observed in
Southern aspects (9.5%, p = 6.29E-17). We recorded 90% of these
presence signs within 150m of a water distance (overall mean±
s.d. = 101.32±43.16 m), Fig. 4). Similarly, we observed a large
proportion (xx%) of sign within the slope of 31.14˚±5.18˚ (Fig. 2).
Altogether 278 fecal piles were observed on tree branches, fallen logs,
ground, and rock. Trees were the most common substrate used for
defecation (62.21%) followed by the ground surface (29.96%) and fallen
logs (8.70%) and least in the rocks. (Fig. 2).
Figure 4 Distribution of
sign records in different districts (left); record of sign along
elevation in all study sites (right)