Population monitoring and community support for hog deer (Axis porcinus) conservation in Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal

Hog deer (Axis porcinus) are among the rarest animals in the world and are listed as "Endangered" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. Protected areas in Nepal are home to large and stable populations of hog deer relative to other parts of hog deer range, but changes in predator abundance, human activities, and climate change could alter hog deer abundance. Reliable and efficient methods to assess hog deer population trends are therefore essential to monitor changes over time. Combined with data on population numbers, support from local communities towards hog deer conservation is important in identifying key threats and developing appropriate conservation strategies. Accordingly, this research integrated natural and social sciences to evaluate density estimation methods and community support for hog deer conservation within Shuklaphanta National Park (SNP), Nepal. Distance sampling along line transects is a common and relatively simple approach used to monitor hog deer populations in Nepal. Recent advances in technology, however, have enabled alternative approaches using data from remote-sensing cameras. Knowledge of the effectiveness of these two approaches could inform future monitoring efforts. Accordingly, I compared two methods for estimating the density of hog deer: distance sampling along line transects (n=17) and a random encounter model (REM) applied to data from remote-sensing cameras (n = 30). The density estimate produced by distance sampling (33.58 ± 8.48 individuals per km²) was more than double the estimate produced using the REM (12.95 ± 0.04 individuals per km²). Of the two methods, the estimate from the REM was more aligned with previous estimates of hog deer density. In addition, camera surveys facilitated the collection of data on multiple species, behaviour, and habitat use compared with line transects. However, despite requiring almost same amount of time for data collection, camera surveys proved to be more costly. These findings highlight the need for a comparison of these density estimation methods with established techniques such as mark-recapture or block counts, coupled with expanded survey efforts to assess the accuracy of estimates. To assess community support for hog deer conservation, I worked with research assistants to interview residents (n=30) from municipalities in the buffer zone surrounding SNP. Interview participants were knowledgeable about deer as a species group, but half of participants did not distinguish hog deer from other deer species. Most participants expressed positive attitudes towards hog deer conservation, especially in the context of promoting the local tourism economy around wildlife viewing. Participants explained that crop damage from deer has been largely mitigated by current management practices, such as fencing, but that additional fencing would further reduce conflicts. My findings revealed opportunities for collaboration between park managers and communities within the buffer zone, particularly around the development of the wildlife tourism industry and the design of management approaches such as fencing. Combined, my research provides guidance for future research and education efforts targeted at hog deer conservation.