Activity Patterns of Bharal (Pseudois nayaur) from a Subtropical Forest Area Based on Camera Trap Data

Understanding the activity patterns of a species is essential for developing sound conservation and management plans. In this study, we used a camera-trapping technique to determine the activity patterns of bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in a marginal population in Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China. Our results showed that these animals preferred to be active in the daytime from 08:00 to 20:00, with an activity peak between 10:00 and 14:00. In addition, we found that the species had a seasonal activity pattern with higher activity frequency in summer than in winter and that bharal were most active in a temperature range of 3–11 °C and at night with a waxing crescent moon, implying that the activity rhythm of the species is an adaptation to a subtropical high-altitude alpine area with vertical zonation in temperature. The pattern of movement and activity was also correlated with the moon phase.