Abstract: Bedsite selection is the result of wild animals’ preferences for different habitats and anthropogenic interference, and is a key measure of behavioral adaptation of wild animals to ecological environments. In this study, we investigated nocturnal bedsite selection of the Milu (Elaphurus davidianus; Père David’s deer) to provide information for the conservation and management of this species. From September to November 2014 (autumn), we used track observations and direct observations to assess nocturnal bedsite selection of a population of freeranging Milu in the Hubei Shishou Milu National Nature Reserve, and a second population of Milu that escaped the reserve in 1998 and have since been living wild in Sanheyuan, Shishou County, Hubei Province, China. For each population (freeranging and re-wilding), we monitored 61 bedsite plots and 61 control plots. Both populations mainly selected bedsites on grasslands within forests that provided highly hidden spots, high herbage coverage and abundant foods, and that were less windy and closer to shelter (reed and woods); however, re-wilding Milu preferred sites farther from roads and human settlements. A stepwise discriminant analysis showed there existed overlap and separation characters in bedsites between the freeranging and rewilding populations. The Fisher discriminant function parameterized with the variables ‘distance to road’ and ‘distance to human settlement’ could discriminate the bedsites of the two populations with 87.5% accuracy, suggesting that these two factors appear to distinguish the bedsites of freeranging and rewilding Milu. The characteristics of bedsites selected by freeranging and re-wilding Milu were broadly similar, most likely as a consequence of the ecological similarities of these two populations. Differences in bedsites selected by the two populations are likely due to the differences in anthropogenic interference they experienced. On the basis of our findings, we suggested that implementing direct management of the Sanheyuan area by getting land ownership, enlarging fenced areas and retaining vegetation that provides cover for animals would benefit the conservation of Milu in this region.

Key words: dark loessial soil, soil aggregate, organic carbon, tillage pattern, water use efficiency.