RANGING PATTERN OF GOLDEN LANGUR IN KAKOIJANA RESERVE FOREST: AN ISOLATED FOREST PATCH OF ASSAM, INDIA

Ranging patterns and home range sizes are crucial for understanding primates' behavioral ecology and determining habitat requirements of the species.The golden langur Trachypithecus geei is endemic to Assam plains and eastern Himalayan region.The present study aimed to examine the home range size and day ranging pattern of this globally endangered colobine species in Kakoijana Reserve Forest (KRF), Assam, India.The study has been conducted from September, 2015 to August, 2017 through full-day focal troop monitoring and recording the locations of the existing troops in the study area.KRF is home to 45 troops of golden langur which is considered as a large population, with 489 individuals having range of 3-20 individuals/troop.Study also observed that the daily path length (DPL) was found to be varied from 95 to 441 meters (based on six study troops) with a mean distance of 235.91 69.20 m in 168 full days of observations.DPL was found to be significantly different among the selected troops and also showed significant variations among seasons of the year.The home range size greatly varied among the study troops and ranges from 9.45 ha to 41.60 ha.The DPL and home range of golden langur in KRF has been highly affected by the canopy breaks and other anthropogenic disturbances.The smaller home range of the study troops with large population is an issue to be taken up urgently for the future health of the current population of golden langur in the KRF.Thus, the findings of the present study will help in opting for proper management planning for the conservation of the endangered species inhabited in isolated habitats with varying anthropogenic pressure.