Infrared Camera Trap Monitoring of Birds and Mammals in Wuchao Mountain National Forest Park

Twenty-three infrared cameras were deployed in Wuchao Mountain National Forest Park (a suburban forest of Hangzhou City) from March 2021 to March 2023, consequently, a total of 8 643 camera working days were accumulated, 1 632 photographs were obtained. Ten wild mammal species and Twenty-one bird species were identified, Prionailurus bengalensis, Calliope calliope, Lophura nycthemera, and Strix aluco have been listed as Class II State Key Protected Wild animals, while most of the remaining species have been classified as the “Three Have” (i.e. animals with important ecological, scientific, and social value) protected animals. Muntiacus reevesi and Sus scrofa exhibited the highest relative abundance index (RAI) among mammals, L. nycthemera and White’s thrush (Zoothera aurea) showed the highest RAI among the birds, with migratory birds concentrated in forest gaps along streams. Unlike the typical activity rhythm from dawn to dusk observed remote mountain areas, the daily activity rhythm of M. reevesi in Wuchao Mountain was concentrated from 18:00 to 02:00 the following day. The species, quantities and protection level of wild animals in suburban forests are lower than those in remote mountain areas, therefore, some animals in suburban environments even modify their daily activity rhythms to adapt to the disturbance caused by human activities.