Browsing by Author "Jhala, Y.V."

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A rapid field survey of tigers and prey in Dibang Valley district, Arunachal Pradesh
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2014) Gopi, G.V.; Qureshi, Qamar; Jhala, Y.V.
The Dibang valley district is the largest district of Arunachal Pradesh with an area of 9129 sq km and is also the least populated district of the country with approximately 1 person/sq km. The district shares international borders in the north, North West and Eastern sides with Tibet (China), the South Western region is bound by Upper Siang district and the Southern Side is bound by lower Dibang Valley district. This district was chosen to survey for tigers and their prey due to the recent rescue of tiger cubs from the district in Angrim valley during december 2012. Our survey confirms the occurrence of tigers in the district. We camera trapped the first ever image of an adult tiger from the Dibang valley Wildlife Sanctuary. We also observed 10 pubmarks and collected 11 scats in and around the WLS. All the 24 people whom we informally interviewed confirmed the presence of tigers in the WLS and reported either having had a direct sighting, observed indirect evidences or heard about livestock depredation incidents by the tigers. Preliminary assessment of prey suggest that the WLS holds a good diversity and abundance of prey like Takin Budorcis taxicolor taxicolor, wild pig Sus crofa, Goral Naemorhaedus goral, Musk deer Moschus fuscus, Barking deer Muntiacus muntjak, Himalayan Serow Capricornis thar and Mithun Bos frontalis which can sustain a good population of tigers in the DWLS. The DWLS has the potential of becoming a tiger reserve in future as it may harbour a very important source population of tigers in this region, However the next immediate priority must be to ensure that this vital tiger population is protected and continuously monitored. This can be achieved by a collaborative effort between NTCA, WII, GoAP and most importantly the local people by conducting long term research to establish robust ecological and genetic baselines that can aid in long term conservation and monitoring of tigers, co-predators, prey and their habitats in this unique landscape that in part of a global biodiversity hotspot.
A report on population and density estimation of leopards in Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Jhala, Y.V.; Basu, Arnab
A study of resource selection by black kites Milvus migrans in the Urban landscape of National Captial Region, India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2014) Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Qamar; Sergio, Fabrizio; Kumar, Nishant
A Study of Resource Seletion by Black Kites (Milvus migrans) in the Urban Landscape of National Capital Region India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Kumar, Nishant; Mohan, D.; Jhala, Y.V.
Black Kites are the scavenger and predator raptors of the old world. In India they are synanthropic and perform the ecological role of city scavengers. Abundance and distribution of these birds suffers change due to rapid infrastructural changes in the developing cities which likely limit or change spatial layout of the available habitat and food. Many cities in the old world (London, Cape Verde, Istanbul) have experienced decline in the population of Milvus kites owing to rapid urbanization. Indian sub-continent almost lost its main scavenger, white backed vultures, in the last century. After this loss; existence of black kites, the most abundant raptor of the old world proves very vital. On these lines I carried carry out this dissertation from December 2012 to April 2013. This study focused on a) estimating the abundance of Black Kites on the Ghazipur dump site and the abundance of nesting pairs in National Capital Region (NCR), b) evaluating factors influencing nesting habitat selection combined with a broad understanding of its foraging habits and c) estimating nest survivorship in the urban landscape. I studied these parameters at selective study sites in NCR by intensive counts of birds at Ghazipur and breeding pairs at nest sites across eight study sites. Nests were searched intensively at each site while I tried to develop and test a new method to count the kites on the Ghazipur dump. Data from 116 nests and nest sites covariates were used to model nest survivorship under Known Fate scheme in Programme MARK. For my first objective, I estimated the current abundance of nesting pairs of Black Kites at 7 study sites. It ranged from 4 pairs / km2 in Sagarpur to 67 pairs / km2 in North Campus area. Nesting kites were selective while choosing a nest site, as evident by significant partial correlation between nest density, food index and green cover. The sites at the best trade-off between green cover and food availability had the highest nest densities. While developing a new methodology, I estimated around 2400 kites on the Ghazipur dump. Through behavioural observations and broad examination of regurgitated pellets, I could confirm scavenging as well as predacious nature of Black Kites. The overall probability of a nest to produce a viable fledgling was 0.45. The nest survivorship was stage specific and varied with pre-laying, incubation or nestling stage. The lower survival probability (0.60) at pre-laying stage is likely because of surplus nest formation at sites with good foraging opportunities. Understanding the importance of kites in urban ecology, studies using individually marked birds will reveal vital details of their behavioural and physiological adaptations. If future long term studies are conclusive enough, may establish Black Kites as an umbrella species of urban ecology.
A study on Ecology and migration of the Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indica) in Western India using satellite techniques
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2016) Sivakumar, K.; Jhala, Y.V.; Bhardwaj, G.S.; Mohan, A.
The Lesser Florican Sypheotides indica, a species endemic to the Indian subcontinent, is largely seen during the monsoon season in north-western India, where it breeds. Its population and range is believed to be decreasing at an alarming rate due to breeding habitat loss and threats in the non-breeding habitats, believed to be in south and south-east India. In this connection, to understand the present status, distribution and non-breeding habitats of Lesser florican in the north-western India i.e. in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, this study was initiated in the month of August 2010, which is a art of breeding season of this species, when most of males display in the grasslands. 2. In 2010, a total of 84 individual Lesser floricans (83 male and 1 female) were sighted in three states of north-western India, which is less than 65% of the sightings reported in 1999. It was found significantly fewer sightings than reported in 1999 in all grasslands surveyed (t=2.81, df=14, p<0.05). Of the 169 potential grasslands available for floricans in the north-western India, 91 grasslands were surveyed, which include grasslands surveyed during 1999. Of the surveyed grasslands, Lesser floricans were found in 24 grasslands as against 37 grasslands in 1999. 3. At Shokhaliya, two male floricans (Florikin I and II) were tagged on 10th of August, 2014 with PTT transmitters that are solar-powered Platform Terminal Transmitters (PTTs: Microwave Telemetry, Inc., Columbia, MD, USA) weighed less than 3% of body mass of birds. 4. FLORIKIN-I: The male florican that was tagged with 18g Agros PPT- 100 (Platform no.125812) had spent 112 days in breeding site and then left the site (Shokaliya) on 11th November 2014. The bird moved for 94 km towards south direction and settled down in grasslands/croplands of north of the Bhilwara, Rajasthan. The bird covered this distance in 5 days and 8 hours (including stopover times) with four stopovers. Each stopover last for one to two days. All the stopovers were in the croplands or fallow lands. Florikin-I flew at the speed of 0.73 km/hr which includes stopover days. The transmitter was active until May 2015. PTT lost the signal when the bird just started moving towards Ajmer from Bhilwara in the month of May, 2015. 5. FLORIKIN-II: He was tagged with 22g GPS/Argos PTT had transmitted data for 35 days after that it failed to function, the reason remained unknown, but it provided much more precise insight into the lekking behavior of this species. The available data shows that the Florican can shift the displaying territory within an arena during a breeding season. Three times this bird had shifted his territory and spent considerable time in each territory. All these three territories of Florikin-II were within the home range of 6.8 sq.km area (MCP100%). The same kind of territory shifting behaviour was observed in Florikin-I as well. 6. Both Florikin I and II, left their territory and moved to a different site after a week of tagging. Total days spent in breeding season/area by Florikin-I were 122 days. During that period the home range of Florican-I was estimated as 12.46sq.km when 5% locations excluded (MCP 95%) and 30sq.km when all location were included (MCP 100%). Similarly, the home range of Florikin-II was within 6.8 sq.km (MCP 100%) 7. Territory shift within Lek Arena was observed in Floricans. Both the tagged floricans could shift the displaying territory but within the arena. Agricultural activities such as weeding, pesticides applications and growth of crops (like Millet) might have also influenced this short distance territory shifts. 8. After the breeding season, one of the tagged florican i.e. Florikin I which had active PTT left the breeding ground on 11th November 2014 to non-breeding grounds. It reached the non-breeding grounds on 15th November 2014 which was 87 km (aerial) 94 km (polygon) away from the breeding ground. During this 87 km long migration, it stopped at four places (nearby villages Goyla (26º 60' 54" N, 74º 55' 36" E), Keriya kurd (26º 03' 43" N, 74º 53' 42" E), Peepaliya (25º 59' 17" N, 74º 49' 52" E) and Sardarpura (25º 49' 21" N, 74º 49' 51" E). All these stopovers were near the water bodies with grasslands. In each stopover that last for one to two days. This bird flew at the speed of 0.73 km/hr which include the stopover time. 9. Habitats of the migratory route of Florikin I were mostly comprised of croplands (Cotton and Millet) with mosaic of grass/herbs cover at least 40% to 50% of the total land cover. 10. Non-breeding habitat of Florikin I was located at Bhilwara, Rajasthan, largely comprising agricultural crops with mosaic of scrub forests consists of Prosopis juliflora. At Bhilwara region, this bird stayed for first 17days at one place where the home range was 6.1 sq.km (MCP 100%) and then moved into another place and stayed for 177 days till 29th March 2015 where the home range was 2.9 sq.km (MCP 100%). The distance between these two non-breeding areas was 9.53 km. 11. General habitat of non-breeding area of florican was Prosophis juliflora (34.18%) followed by Agriculture land with crop and without crop (19.47%), grassland (18.93%), water logged but this land dried during the summer 10.29%), Barren land (8.28%) and human built (6.61%. 12. Though the sample size was low, our study indicate that the all floricans won’t migrate a long distance from the breeding areas. Their non-breeding grounds probably near to breeding areas within distance of 200 to 300 km and gather during the breeding season in the breeding ground. 13. In 2014, the population of floricans was estimated using both traditional (Area Search method) and ‘Occupancy Modelling with Distance Sampling’ methods. Using the Occupancy Model, it was estimated that the population size of floricans was 1091 floricans (689 to 1729) (Uniform cosine function x2 p=80.8, AIC=659.6) and estimation the ESW at 213.7 m ranging 185.3−246.4). Detection probability=0.56 (0.48 to 0.65). The generated global density estimate is 1.19 Floricans per sq.km. However, sightings of floricans in the breeding grounds from 2010 to 2014 were varied between years.
A study on predation ecology of large carnivores with special reference to human-carnivore conflicts in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, Central India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2022) Chatterjee, Anindita B.; Sankar, K.; Qureshi, Qamar; Jhala, Y.V.
Seven years of data (2008 – 2015) resulted in phot-capture of 96 unique individual tigers in the study area. The estimated survival rate of individual tigers was high. Survival of female tigers were higher than that of the male tigers but the range was overlapping. Apparent survival and transitional probabilities were best explained by gender specific models. Survival constant was selected as the best model for estimating growth rate of tigers. Calculated annual growth rate was 13% with no observed sex bias.
Abundance, Habitat Relationships and Behavior of the Semi-Fossorial Indian Desert Jird, Meriones hurriancae, in Kachchh, Gujarat
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Ramesh, Divya; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Qamar
Population sizes, habitat relationships and behaviour are among basic ecological aspects pivotal to demystifying a species and its place in the ecosystem. Numerous in species and number, desert rodents offer immense scope for such investigations. The Indian desert jird, Meriones hurrianae, though common, is remarkably little known. This study, conducted in Kachchh, Gujarat, estimates population sizes, examines factors in the habitat likely to influence their occurrence, and elucidates the activity pattern and time budget across 2 land use types, agricultural and natural areas, during winter (December February) and summer (March-May). Animals were caught in 9 colonies using Sherman traps and population estimated under closed population Capture-Mark-Recapture framework in Program MARK, using individual covariates (age class, gender, body weight, site). Colony parameters (length, width, number of holes) were regressed against known Mark-Recapture (MR) population estimates to develop predictive models for estimating population size from indices. Population sizes varied from 2 to 10 individuals. Number of holes in a colony provided robust estimates of the number of individuals in that colony (N=16, R2=0.96, t=18.19, p
Aspects of Foraging, Activity, Habitat Use and Demography of Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis Linn.) in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2003) Kandel, Ram Chandra; Jhala, Y.V.
The study was conducted between November 2002 to June 2003 in the Royal Chitwan National Park, in Central Terai which arbors the largest population of the Great One-honed Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis Linn) in Nepal. I studied time Activity budget, Habitat use, preference, food habits and ranging pattern of free ranging rhinos by continuously monitoring them from elephant back for 130.5 hrs (10 sessions of 7-24 hr each)
Assessing the potential for reintroducing the Cheetah in India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Ranjitsinh, M.K.; Jhala, Y.V.
Reintroductions of large carnivores have increasingly been recognised as a strategy to conserve threatened species and restore ecosystem functions. The cheetah is the only large carnivore that has been extirpated, mainly by over-hunting in India in historical times. India now has the economic ability to consider restoring its lost natural heritage for ethical as well as ecological reasons. With this context, a consultative meeting of global experts was held at Gajner in september, 2009. A consensus was reached at this meeting for conducting a detailed survey in selected sites to explore the potential of reintroducing the cheetah in India. The Honourable Minister of Environment and Forests, Shri Jairam Ramesh, mandated the Wildlife Institute of India and the Wildlife Trust of India with this task. 2) In this report we assess 10 sites from seven landscapes located in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, for their potential to harbour viable reintroduced cheetah populations. We conduct field surveys to collect data on prey abundances, local community dependencies on forest resources and their attitudes towards wildlife, and use remotely-sensed data to assess habitat size. We compute current and potential carrying capacity of the sites to support cheetah as well as assess the long term viability of the introduced population, using Population Habitat Viability Analysis. 3) Amongst the seven surveyed landscapes, the landscape that contained Sanjay National Park, Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary and Guru Ghasidas National Park was the largest, covering over 12,500 km2. It is in this landscape that the cheetah continued to survive till after India’s Independence. However, today this landscape is characterised by low prey densities, probably due to poaching by tribal communities that reside within the protected areas. The three protected areas were currently estimated to have the capacity to support about 14 cheetah. With restorative and managerial inputs under the Project Tiger scheme available for Sanjay National Park and Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary, these protected areas are likely to improve and could potentially support over 30 cheetah, while the landscape could hold upto 60 individuals We recommend that Guru Ghasidas National Park in Chhattisgarh also be considered under the Project Tiger scheme as it is well connected with Sanjay National Park and Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary. We recommend that this landscape be restored and re-evaluated before considering cheetah reintroduction here in the future. 4) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the Sheopur-Shivpuri forested landscape, which had the second largest area (6,800 km2) amongst the surveyed sites. This site was rated high on the priority list for considering the reintroduction of the cheetah, because a lot of restorative investment has already been made here for introducing the Asiatic lions. The Protected Area was estimated to have a current capacity to sustain 27 cheetah, which could be enhanced to over 32 individuals by addition of some more forested areas (120 km2) to the Kuno Sanctuary and managing the surrounding 3,000 km2 forested habitat as a buffer to the Kuno Sanctuary. Once a cheetah population establishes itself within the Sanctuary, dispersers would colonize the landscape and potentially hold over 70 individuals. This would not preclude the reintroduction of the lion once the cheetah population is established and the two introductions would complement each other. Indeed, Kuno offers the prospect of all the four large forest felids of India to coexist as they did in the past. 5) The Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary (1197 km2) in Madhya Pradesh is part of a forested landscape of 5,500 km2. Cheetah prey densities were reasonable in this area and the site was considered favourable to be considered for a reintroduction. Based on current prey densities the area could support 25 cheetah. We recommend the designation of 750 km2 as a core area of the sanctuary and relocate about 23 human settlements from the core with generous and adequate compensation. Our assessment indicates that the local communities would prefer to relocate for better livelihood and modern facilities. The site could then support over 50 cheetah as a source population, while the Nauradehi landscape could harbour over 70 individuals. 6) Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh and Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh formed a continuous habitat. However, potential cheetah habitat in this area was small (less than 500 km2), as much of the land is under agriculture. Though the prey densities were reasonably high due to good management and law enforcement, the site was not considered further due to its small size and as it was likely to have a high level of conflict with an introduced cheetah population. 7) The Shahgarh landscape on the international border in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan was found to be suitable for introducing cheetah. As the area is fenced along the international border, we propose to additionally fence off the bulge area by constructing another 140 km long chain-link fence, so as to encompass about 4000 km2 of xerophytic habitat. Within this area about 80 seasonally used human settlements, each having 5-10 households, would need to be relocated with adequate and generous compensation and alternate arrangements provided. Though the prey species diversity was less (primarily chinkara) in Shahgarh, the area could currently support about 15 cheetah and had the potential to sustain 40 cheetah with habitat management within the large fenced ecosystem. 8) Desert National Park in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, was reasonably large (3162 km2) with a fairly good prey availability. However, the area is heavily grazed by livestock and is the last stronghold for the great Indian bustard. The introduced cheetah are likely to come into severe conflict with local communities and may be a potential threat to the endangered great Indian bustard. For this reason the Desert National Park was not considered ideal for cheetah reintroduction. 9) Banni grasslands and Kachchh Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat cover a vast arid landscape of which over 5800 km2 could be considered as potential cheetah habitat. The wild prey abundance was extremely low with no current potential for considering introduction of a large carnivore. However, the area has potential and with restoration, livestock grazing management and law enforcement the area could bounce back and could potentially support over 50 cheetah. If the Gujarat Government takes serious steps to restore this landscape, then the site could be re-evaluated at a later date. 10) Based on the above assessment, we recommend that cheetah could potentially be reintroduced at 1) Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh 2) Shahgarh Landscape in Jaisalmer, and 3) Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh. All the three sites require preparation and resource investments to commence an introduction program. Long-term commitment of political will, resources and personnel is required from the Central and State Governments to implement this project successfully. 11)Depending on the availability of suitable animals and a continued supply, we propose to source cheetah from sites in Africa. We also propose collaboration with the Government of Iran and the world conservation community in assisting with the conservation of the Iranian cheetah, so as to reduce its risk of extinction and to re-establish viable wild populations. 12) Cheetah reintroduction would greatly enhance tourism prospects, especially at the sites, the cascading effects of which would benefit the local communities. Cheetah as a flagship would evoke a greater focus on the predicament of the much abused dry-land ecosystems and the need to manage them, which would benefit pastoralism in India where the largest livestock population in the world resides, the large majority of it being free-ranging. 13)As a way ahead, we propose that the Government of India and the concerned State Governments approve of the sites recommended in this report and commence allocation of resources, personnel and restorative actions for a reintroduction program. Once approved, a more detailed study of the selected sites and of the costing of the project would have to be undertaken and project implementation could there after commence. 14) The venture must be viewed not simply as an introduction of a species, however charismatic it may be, but as an endeavour to better manage and restore some of our most valuable yet most neglected ecosystems and the species dependent upon
Assessment of grassland communities its use by mammals and mapping the potential habitat of Rhinoceros unicornis in Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Murari, Krishna; Talukdar, Gautam; Pandav, Bivash; Jhala, Y.V.
This study was conducted to identify grassland vegetation communities associated mammals and to find out the potential habitat of Rhinoceros unicornis in VTR.
Assessment of impacts of National Highway 715 (Earlier NH 37) on Wildlife passing through Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, Assam
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2020) Habib, Bilal; Saxena, Akansha; Bhanupriya, R.; Jhala, Y.V.; Rajvanshi, A.
As part of the project funded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, New Delhi, three sites were chosen for study- the Central Indian tiger landscape including major roads cutting across the animal corridors in the landscape, the National Highway 37 (now 715) cutting through the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape in Assam, and the State Highway 33 passing through the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, Karnataka. At Kaziranga National Park, we intended to quantify the characteristics of mortality of animals due to wildlife-vehicle collisions, and to assess the responses of wild ungulates to road-related disturbances in terms of changes in group size and composition, and habitat use patterns. Result shows that highways have adverse effects on the population of wildlife including endangered species of mammals and reptiles. Seasonal or monthly changes are the factors that influenced probability of roadkill numbers as it increased with the onset of summer and decreased towards winter. Annual monsoon floods in Kaziranga National Park from adjacent Brahmaputra River was found to be the main factor influencing large mammal mortality in wildlife-vehicle collisions. Apart from the direct impacts of roads on wildlife the indirect impacts like noise and disturbances associated with them impact significantly on the species that require an undisturbed or interior habitat. Similarly, present study exhibits variation in the group size composition of ungulates relative to distance from road. Group-size increased with respect to distance which indicates that anthropogenic effects of roads can lead to the habitat fragmentation of such species affecting population distribution. However, numbers and factors of wildlife-vehicle collisions may vary with site and condition
Assessment of landscape patterns for modeling habitat suitability for lions and prey species in Gir Protected Area, Gujarat.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Basu, Parabita; Qureshi, Qamar; Jhala, Y.V.
Conservation of ‘source’ alone may not be a sufficient strategy to ensure long term persistence of lions; rather it is enhanced by maintaining connectivity among different populations so as to permit lion movement across human-dominated areas. However, the traditional land-use patterns within Gir landscape is changing at an alarming rate mainly as a result of agricultural expansion, urbanization and industrialization. In this scenario, I attempt to (1) Examine the distribution of suitable lion habitat in Saurashtra, especially in areas outside of protected area to assess the potential of the landscape for supporting an increasing lion population, (2) Identify functional corridors joining Gir and Girnar protected area with suggested management interventions, necessary for safeguarding the corridor, (3) Evaluate the current landscape architecture of Gir PA and its surroundings (4) Assess the rate of change in land use and vegetation patterns within Gir PA, (5) Develop habitat suitability models at different spatial scales for lions and its principal prey species.
Assessment of the landscape between the Gir Protected Area and the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat for a potential lion habitat corridor
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Q.; Basu, P.; Banerjee, Kaushik
In this report, assess the habitat characteristics, extent of fragmentation and its future trends, prey abundance and perception of the local communities towards lion conservation in the agro-pastoral landscape between the Gir PA and the Girnar forests to help in delineating the important dispersal corridor habitat between the Gir PA and the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, suggesting measures for its effective conservation
Black Kite : Summary of Project Report
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Qureshi, Q.; Jhala, Y.V.; Sergio, F.; Kumar, Nishant; Gupta, Purvi
Computing Biomass Consumption from Prey Occurrences in Scats of Tropical Felids
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Chakrabarti, Stotra; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Qamar
A robust understanding of prey use and selection by carnivores provides crucial insights into their ecology, conservation and management. In majority of the cases, scat analysis is most effective to assess diet spectrum of carnivores, but require correction for potential biases for estimating biomass contribution of different prey items. Since small prey have higher indigestible matter per unit body mas~ due to higher surface area-to-volume ratio, relative frequencies of prey remains in scats do not represent their consumed biomasses. Thus ~ to accurately estimate the proportions of different prey consumed, it is necessary to develop relationships between biomass consumed per field collectable scat and prey weight through feeding experiments. However, no such relationship exists for felids of the Indian sub-continent. The studies on diet of big cats like lion (Panthera leo), tiger (Panthera tigris) and leopard (Panthera pardus) have used a similar relationship based on cougars (Puma concolor) by Ackerman et al. 1984 owing to the unavailability of any species specific relations. Methods: A series of feeding trials were used on Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica), leopard and jungle cat (Felis chaus) to develop prey incidence to biomass conversion equations (hereafter mentioned as biomass models or biomass equations). Principal findings: All the models showed satiating relationships between biomass consumed per collectable scat and prey weight given by asymptotic exponential functions. However, carnivore specific models when scaled to their respective body weights did not differ significantly between each other, allowing derivation of a generalized biomass model for tropical felids. Inferences using present study models refined existing representation of diet of tropical carnivores. Significance: Results from the present study have strong implications on feeding ecology of tropical felids. Present study refined previous understanding of biomass contribution of different prey species in large felid diet by substantially increasing roportion of medium prey consumption. Such inferences question niche separation of sympatric large felids on the basis of prey species of different sizes, where large carnivores like tiger optimizing on large prey like gaur (Bos gaurus) and sambar (Rusa unicolor). while medium felids like leopard maximizing on chital (Axis axis). Domestic livestock significantly reduced in carnivore diet, reducing livestock depredation rates. indicating lower human-carnivore conflict levels.
Conserving Natural Heritage Through Genetic Assessment : The Case of Snow Leopards in Ladakh
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Vishnuvardhan; Jhala, Y.V.; Srinivas, Yellapu
Natural world heritage sites are landscapes that sustain rare ecological processes, provide crucial habitats for the survival of many iconic species of significance and provide a wealth of ecosystem services. A part of India’s natural heritage lies m its youngest landscape, the Himalayas. This natural heritage is an asset in itself due to its immense intrinsic values. Snow leopard, an elusive inhabitant of the cold desert represents an important cultural and ecological symbol of the Central and south Asian mountain systems and acts as a flagship as well as an umbrella species. This study has been designed to assess the genetic status of this vulnerable species distributed across the union territory of Ladakh using non-invasive genetic methods. The study site comprised of four distinct regions, Hemis-Leh, Kargil, Changthang and Nubra. Putative snow leopard scat samples (N=391) were collected from the study area. DNA was extracted from all the samples and a 148 bp Mt-DNA region was amplified with a carnivore specific primer. Successfully amplified samples were sequenced for species identification. From the 95 snow leopard positive samples 56 individuals were identified using a panel of 10 microsatellites. Sex identification was also done by using AMELY gene and results showed male biased sex ratio in Ladakh. PIDsib value was 3.8x1 O’4 was indicative of sufficient power of the microsatellite panel to discriminate between siblings in a population of 10,000 snow leopards. This study provides a baseline for future comparisons since increased anthropogenic development projects may fragment this contiguous population. Genetic integrity and large gene pools are essential for long term viability of species especially in the advent of climate change and anthropogenic modifications. This study using genetic markers on the snow leopard exemplifies the use of this important tool for natural heritage management and conservation
Distribution and demography of carnivores in some parts of semi-arid landscape of Western India.
(wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2020) Sadhu, Ayan; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Qamar
The present study reveals long-term research on tigers, elaborating their vital rates, survival parameters, and dispersal. The camera trap data to estimate the spatially explicit density, space use, and time-activity pattern of leopards. A combination of techniques that included radio telemetry, camera traps, direct observations, and photo documentation was used to obtain 3492 observations on 97 individually known tigers in Ranthambhore between 2006-2014 to estimate demographic parameters that estimates collated over nine years from 97 individually known tigers and annual density estimates of Ranthambhore tiger population from camera traps. This study aimed to estimate the demographic parameters of Ranthambhore tigers, and subsequently compare them with other tiger populations. Two species occupancy was used to estimate the spatial co-occurrence of tiger and leopard in Ranthambhore. As a long-term conservation strategy, this semi-arid tiger population needs to be conserved in a metapopulation framework. The species distribution modelling showed the importance of the PAs and also highlighted areas to direct conservation investments outside the protected areas.
Disturbance and Coral Community Structure in the Intertidal Coral Reefs of the Southern Gulf of Kutch
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1995) Arthur, Rohan; Jhala, Y.V.
I quantified the coral community structure using quadrat sampling in two intertidal coral reefs off the island of Narrara and Pirotan in the Southern Gulf of Kutch. These areas are subject to heavy disturbance from industries, and anthropogenic pressures on the reef are considerable. Species richness and indices of diversity indicate the reefs are of low diversity. Species diversity values indicate that Narrara has a lower species diversity (H'= 2.822, SE 0.139) than Pirotan (H'= 3.95, SE 0.126) (t-test d.f. = 236, P < 0.00 I). However, environmental data collected from both areas indicate that the levels of disturbance, measured as the mean percentages of dead coral, sediment load on live coral, algae cover and bleaching, was generally higher in Pirotan than in Nanara. Multivariate techniques of analysis were used to elucidate these trends. Community clustering using the statistical package TWINSPAN and direct ordination using Canonical Correspondence (statistical package CANOCO) were carried out. Axis I correlated well with the percentage of boulders in the reef and the density of algae, and Axis 11 correlated well with sediment load on the coral. Species showed clear patterns of distribution along these axes. I set up experiments to test the effect of crude oil and bittern, a salt manufacturing by-product, on two common reef Scleractinidia, Porites compressa and Favia favus. Significant effects were seen with both pollutants. Most of the replicates showed some level of recovery though this recovery did not result in any of the coral regaining total health. Indices of coral sensitivity and coral recovery was developed and this proved a valuable means of comparing the response of different species. Bittern and crude oil stressed the corals and resulted in sediment deposition. The immediate cause of mortality was caused by sediment deposits on the coral boulders. In highly turbid reefs, coral species might be affected more by high sedimentation levels than by other environmental stressors
Dogs Finally have their Day? Aspects Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary Ladakh
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Subhashini, K.; Kawlni, Lallianpuii; Jhala, Y.V.
In a country with increasing numbers of free-ranging dogs that often times foray into wildlife habitats, even their presence has been established as a threat for biodiversity conservation in any landscape. Stated that they pose a problem, the means and extent of the problem needs an understanding of their ecology. This study aims to understand the effect of anthropogenic subsidies on the population, ranging, and subsidy resource usage patterns of free-ranging dogs. Placing subsidies in the centre of the ecology of these dogs, the study also attempts to understand inter-species interactions and potential for dogs to act as disease reservoirs in the unique trans-Himalayan landscape.
Ecological Aspects of Vertebrate Scavenging in Central Indian Forests
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Iyer, Bhavya; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Qamar
Scavengers assist in the cycling of nutrients in the ecosystem. However, few studies have examined the relative importance of microbes, invertebrate and vertebrate scavengers on the decomposition of carrion. Biotic and abiotic factors have both been known to affect scavenger communities. Environmental factors such as region, climate, season, habitat type, along with resource-specific factors such as carcass size influence the species which feed on a carcass as well as the time to detection of the carcass and carcass persistence time. Size in particular plays an important role in the species feeding on a carcass, with larger vertebrate scavengers more prevalent at larger carcasses. Vultures are the only vertebrates which are obligate scavengers, relying on carrion alone as a food source. Other than vultures, all vertebrate scavengers are facultative scavengers. This includes most mammalian carnivores, which hunt for prey but also make use of carcass availability. This increases the interaction routes linking the processes of scavenging and predation, increasing stability of the food web. Vultures in particular, as the only obligate vertebrate scavengers, seem to play a special role in scavenger communities. Exclusion of vultures from carcasses has been linked with longer decomposition time, more intra-species contacts at carcasses (potentially leading to increased disease spread), and increased number of species feeding at the carcass. I carried out this study to better understand the interactions between scavengers and carrion, and to observe, if any, the effect vultures and carcass size have on scavenger communities. The study was carried out in two protected areas in Madhya Pradesh – Kanha Tiger Reserve and Panna Tiger Reserve – from December 2018 to April 2019. Carcasses of animals – cattle, chital, and sambar – killed by wild predators, as well as fresh carcasses (goats and chickens) were monitored using infrared camera traps. I also carried out an experiment to observe the comparative rate at which vertebrate, invertebrates and microbes consume carrion biomass using chicken carcasses and different treatments. Vertebrate scavengers were found to remove carrion at the highest rate, at 99% biomass per day, followed by invertebrates (4.9% per day), and microbes (2.9% biomass removed per day). Despite greater vulture presence in Panna Tiger Reserve, and a relatively low vulture population in Kanha, Analysis of Similarity could not find a significant difference in the vertebrate scavenger species assemblage (the number of species and the relative abundances of those species) that visited monitored carcasses between the two study sites. Carcass size also did not significantly affect which species visiting the carcasses. I carried out occupancy modelling to estimate the probability of detecting a carcass by individual species of the carcass. Covariates which were found to affect detection probability were canopy cover, initial age of carcass, initial weight of carcass, horizontal cover, and vulture presence at the carcass. The use of occupancy modelling for estimating detection probability of carrion for different vertebrate scavengers is a unique approach, and with more data can be highly informative of the patterns and processes that govern the relationship between species and carrion. Detection corrected, model inferred occupancy gave significant improvement over the naïve occupancy estimate for all species, suggesting that carcass detection by scavengers or low abundance of scavengers was a limiting factor for visits of carcasses by vertebrate scavengers.