Status of Canis aureus Linnaeus in Cultural Forest in Maha Sarakham Povince,Thailand.

Abstract

As a result of human disturbance, a significant number of lush forests in Thailand have been fragmented into small isolated patches. This fragmentation directly affects the fauna population in the forests and may result in their inevitable extinction; limited forest resources may be incapable of sustaining their continued existence. The objective of this study was to investigate the status of the Asiatic Jackal, Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758. The study was conducted in the two small cultural forests of Ban Nong Klang Kok and Ban Lao Jan, located in Na Doon district, Maha Sarakham province, Northeastern Thailand. The line transect method was used to observe the jackal’s voice, tract and holes. Asiatic jackals were found in both cultural forests and their populations ranged from 2 to 3 families with a density of 3 to 4 individuals per km2 in Ban Lao Jan and Ban Nong Klang Kok, respectively. The findings suggest that the two cultural forests targeted provide suitable habitats and adequate resources for the Asiatic Jackal. Further study, particularly on genetic structure, is needed to assess whether these isolated populations can maintain genetic diversity.