The high altitude wildlife areas of western Arunachal Pradesh

Conservation status
Chapter 2
Conservation status of the high altitude wildlife of Western
Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalaya
In this chapter, we report the occurrence of large mammals in western Arunachal’s
high altitudes and the threats to their conservation. Based on this information, we also
identify areas where a high altitude wildlife reserve could be established. While the
main focus of our survey was on areas lying above 3000 m, we have also included
information from adjoining habitats at lower elevations (2500-3000 m).
Results
Mammal records
Through interviews, direct sightings and evidences, we recorded the occurrence of a
total 34 mammal species, of which we confirmed the occurrence of 27 species through
sightings and direct evidences (Table 1). The tiger, which was reported to occur in the
past, is now apparently extinct. Twelve of the 34 species recorded are of high
conservation importance globally, being listed either as Endangered or Vulnerable in
the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species 1 (Table 2). A total of 19 species recorded
during the survey may be considered high altitude mountain fauna, although some of
them do occur over a wide altitudinal range (Table 1). Besides the disappearance of
the tiger, our interviews indicated that the ranges of bharal and musk deer have
shrunk locally over the last 3 decades. Musk deer, for instance, was reported in the
We recorded a rich and fascinating assemblage of mammals. The endangered dhole Cuon alpinus (left)
is persecuted in retaliation against livestock predation. The Tawang macaque Macaca sp. (right)
discovered on this survey is perhaps a species new to science. Smaller mammals recorded include the
orange-bellied squirrel Dremomys lokriah (top inset), Himalayan marmot Marmota himalayana (centre
inset), and the large eared pika Ochotona macrotis (lower inset).
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