Abstract: Limited information exists on the population status of wild Indochinese tigers (Panthera tigris cobetti)in China.This research reports the first field survey on the Indochinese tiger and its prey base in southern Yunnan of China.Pugmark identification was used to estimate the population size of tigers during the survey in Shangyong Nature Reserve of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province.The pellet-plot counting method was used to estimate the density of three ungulate species,including sambar deer,wild boar and barking deer,which are the major prey species of tigers in the region. Results indicate that at least 3 different individuals,a male and two female Indochinese tigers,occupied Shangyong during the period from 2004 to 2009.Our results also demonstrated that density of ungulates was high in Shangyong Nature Reserve,especially for sambar deer,which is the key prey species for tigers. Population densities were estimated as follows:sambar deer,7. 63 (7.40 ～ 9. 23)individuals/ km² ;barking deer,17.39 (11.33 ～24. 94)individuals / km² ;wild boar,10.26 (7.69 ～ 14.51)individuals/ km² . The total prey biomass in Shangyong was approximately 1 715.74 kg/ km² . The results suggested that preseerving a healthy prey population is extremely important to the survival and future recovery of tigers in China.

Key words: Conservation, Panthera tigris cobbeti, Prey population density, Xishuangbanna

摘要： 中国野生印支虎及其猎物种群状况的野外实地研究一直处于空白。本研究使用足迹鉴别法、粪堆计数法,首次对西双版纳尚勇自然保护区野生印支虎种群数量现状及该区域内的虎猎物种群状况进行了调查研究。结果显示:2004 ～ 2009 年间,确认西双版纳保护区存在3 只成年印支虎个体(2 雌1 雄),西双版纳尚勇保护区拥有比较丰富的有蹄类种群,其中虎的主要猎物:水鹿平均密度为7.63 (7.40 ～ 9.23)只/ km² ;赤麂平均密度为17. 39 (11.33 ～24.94)只/ km² ,野猪平均密度为10.26 (7.69 ～ 14.51) 只/ km² ,该区域虎猎物生物量为1 715. 74 kg/ km² 。本研究还探讨了该区域印支虎种群的保护前景以及中国境内开展虎种群调查的适用办法等。

关键词: 印支虎, 猎物种群密度, 保护, 西双版纳