亚洲象对人工硝塘利用情况的初步研究

A preliminary study on the utilization of artificial saltpetre ponds by the Asian elephant

硝塘作为亚洲象在野外环境中获取盐分的重要场所,对亚洲象的生存具有重要意义。2019年6月-2020年8月,利用红外相机对人工硝塘监测,结果显示:包括亚洲象在内的多种动物到访人工硝塘;亚洲象到访人工硝塘的有效次数为20次,利用1至4号人工硝塘的频次依次为1次、0次、9次和10次,主要时间段为2:00-9:00和16:00-22:00;亚洲象到访人工硝塘的总时长为246min,其中群象到访时间为108min(平均到访时间为21.6min),雄象到访时长为138min(平均到访时间为9.2min)。群象在人工硝塘的平均停留时间更长,可能雌性个体在繁殖和哺育期需要补充更多的盐分和矿物质;受人类活动的影响,亚洲象在人工硝塘的活动主要集中在晨昏时段;人工硝塘在一定程度上能够作为天然硝塘的补充。在开展实际的保护工作中,人工硝塘的选址是野生动物能否利用人工硝塘的关键,建议结合野生动物的栖息地、食源、水源等生存必备要素来选址。

As an important place for Asian elephants to obtain salt in the wild environment,saltpetre ponds are of great significance to the survival of Asian elephants.From June 2019 to August 2020,we used infrared camera to monitor the artificial saltpetre pond.Monitoring results show that:many animals visited the artificial saltpetre ponds including Asian elephants.Asian elephants visited the artificial saltpetre ponds 20 times.The number of visits to No.1 to No.4 saltpetre ponds was 1,0,9 and 10 times respectively.The main time periods for Asian elephants in artificial pond were 2:00-9:00 and 16:00-22:00.The total visiting time of Asian elephants was 246min,the total visiting time of group elephants was 108min and male elephants was 138min.The average visiting time of group elephants was 21.6min and male elephants was 9.2min.The average residence time of the group elephants was longer in the artificial saltpetre ponds,which may be due to the females’need to supplement more salt and minerals during the breeding and feeding periods.The activities of Asian elephants in the artificial pond are mainly concentrated in the morning and dusk period,which is related to the influence of human activities.Artificial saltpetre pond can supplement natural nitrate pond to some extent.In the actual protection work,the location of artificial saltpetre pond is the key to wildlife utilization,which should be combined with habitat,food source,water source.