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EFFECT OF HABITAT FACTORS AND PREDATOR DENSITY ON THE SPATIAL ABUNDANCE OF CAPE HARE (LEPUS CAPENSIS) IN THE KARAKORUM RANGE

In fragmented landscapes, the accessibility of resources not only influences the spatial distribution of the predators themselves, but may similarly affect the abundance of their prey. We studied the influence of habitat dynamics and predator density on the spatial abundance of Cape hare (Lepus capensis) in the Karakorum Range in a 5700 km area in Shigar valley during 2015–16 and 2017. We found that, seasonally the population density of Cape hare at deciduous forest plantation (site 3), was the highest and the lowest density of Cape hare was found in the closed to open herbaceous vegetation (site 1). Seasonally the detection probability and encounter rate were found the highest in the closed to open herbaceous vegetation (site 1), and detection probability was the lowest in the grassland and bare lands (site 2). In summer, we found a positive correlation between Cape hare and Red fox density in the deciduous forest plantation (site 3). In winter, a positive relationship between Cape hare and Red fox density were observed in the grassland and bare lands (site 2). Seasonally, the density of Cape hare were the highest recorded in the deciduous forest plantation (site 3) where the relative density of Red fox and encounter rate of active burrows were the lowest. In this economically poor study area, humans often retaliate against damages caused by local wildlife using guns. The conclusions are discussed in the perspective of predator –prey interaction and the implications for management and mitigation of human – wildlife conflicts are also considered.