M Sc Dissertation(WII)
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Item Resource Use and Distribution of Smooth-Coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) in the Sub-Himalayan Foothill Rivers of Uttarakhand(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Basak, Sayanti; Hussain, S.A.; Gopi, G.V.Otters are the apex predators of the wetland ecosystems they inhabit. Being sensitive to both pollution and habitat destruction, the presence of otters in a wetland ecosystem, be it rivers, lakes, swamps, mangroves or estuaries, indicates the occurrence of a viable prey base, thus indicating an ecologically healthy condition of such ecosystems. Coupled with habitat, prey is one of the major factors that limit species populations. Many species, including otters, are often seen to cope up with disturbed surroundings only for the easy accessibility or abundance of prey in those areas. The aim of this study was to understand the ecology of Smooth- coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) in terms of their habitat requirements, food habits, and distribution across the landscape. The study was conducted in select rivers of Rajaji National Park and Tiger Reserve, Lansdowne Forest Division, and Corbett National Park and Tiger Reserve. These protected areas fall in sub-Himalayan region, a region of high biodiversity value threatened by immense anthropogenic pressure. Habitat parameters were measured at every 250 m along a river bank and also in locations where there were otter evidences. The importance of different habitat parameters influencing otter occurrence were analysed using Generalised Linear Models (GLMs) and non-mapping technique using Bonferroni confidence interval approach. Smooth-coated Otter significantly preferred deep pools with moderate to sparse bank-side vegetation during the mid-winter and late-winter season. Moderate width water bodies are preferred over narrow water bodies. Muddy and sandy bank substrate types were preferred. Rocky stretches were largely avoided. Water body type i.e. pools and bank substrate type, i.e. rocky substrate, are the significantly influencing factors on otter distribution. Feeding habit of otters were studied by analysing 120 spraints collected throughout the study area. In this study, we also explored how the habitat suitability modelling could predict the percentage of area and a gradient of environmental conditions suitable for the occurrence of Smooth-coated Otter across the study area. MaxEnt modelling was used to predict habitat suitability of Smooth-coated Otter across the landscape. The most important variables affecting otter distribution were compound topographic index, Euclidean distance from the river, and slope position index. With increasing distance from water, and increasing slope, the suitability of an area to sustain otter populations decreased.Item Investigating the Social Structure of Female Asiatic Lions(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Borah, Doli; Kolipakam, Vishnupriya; Jhala, Y.V.In this study the social structure of lion prides in the Gir landscape through behavioural observation discussed. the study was carried out in and around Gir protected area of Gujarat. In India the Gir forest only has the last free ranging population of Asiatic lion.Item Patterns and Determinants of Elephant Habitat Use in a Mosaic Landscape in Northern Chhattisgarh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Meshram, Kushagra; Pandav, Bivash; Nigam, ParagHabitat use is affected by a wide range of factors,like the amount of resources available, its distribution in space, quality of resource,presence and absence of limiting factors like roads and settlements. Increasing anthropogenic pressure has lead to the degradation of the habitat available to animals in the form fragmentation of forests, introduction of invasive species and reduction in the quality of the available forage. This in turns alters the composition and modify the natural systems. This modification of habitat may compel animals to alter the way they use it by adopting new strategies. On these lines, I did my study on assessing the factors that influence habitat use of elephants in a mosaic landscape in Northern Chhattisgarh. The study was carried out in Surguja district of Chhattisgarh. This district is famous has been infamous for elephant conflict since 1900s. The problem has exacerbated due to rapid urbanisation, increasing population and alteration in land use. Today, it is one of the most human-elephant conflict affected area in country. This is a repercussion of wanton modification of natural habitat. How elephants are interacting with this modified habitat which is a matrix of remnant forest patches, agricultural areas and settlements is the crux of my study. In order to to study this, I selected a study area of 1200 square kilometres. As a part of the study I also followed two satellite Collared individuals(one living with a herd and the other, a solitary male) to understand spatiotemporal habitat use and ranging behaviour of elephants. I also collaborated with Indian Space and Research Organisation for my study. High resolution land-use maps were provided by ISRO for this study. The field work was carried out from 21st December 2018 to 15th April 2019. GIS based work was done in the GIS lab of the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.Item Impacts of Road Related Disturbances on Mammalian and Vegetational Assemblages : A Case Study of SH-33 Passing Through Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, Karnataka(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Siva, R.; Habib, Bilal; Gubbi, SanjayUpcoming economies such as India need to strengthen their road network for the socioeconomic development of the country. While roads are important to the country, they are a threat to wildlife when they pass through the protected areas and other ecologically sensitive areas. Multiple impacts of roads on wildlife range from habitat loss, edge effects, vehicular traffic, pollution, animal mortality, barrier effect to invasion by alien flora and fauna. This project revealed the impacts of road-related disturbances on mammals and vegetation in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, Karnataka. Mysore-Mananthavadi road (SH-33) is passing through the southern part of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve that has two segments in which one segment is decommissioned and another segment is closed for the vehicular traffic during the night. Here, I have compared the habitat use of mammals in these two segments using camera traps and assessed the impact of road-related disturbances on vegetation in this road by vegetation sampling. Vehicular density was estimated using the camera traps in these two segments.The study results revealed the avoidance of vehicular traffic segment by the mammals and activity pattern seems to be relatively unaffected by the vehicular traffic. It also shows the change in the vegetation composition and spread of invasive species due to road related disturbances.Item Impact of Habitat Fragmentation on Diurnal Squirrels in Lowland Tropical Forests of Upper Assam North-East India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Sumashini, P.S.; Nair, Manoj V.; Qureshi, QamarThe effect of forest fragmentation on a set of ecological parameters, namely, species richness, densities, activity patterns, vertical space use for foraging, diet and nesting characteristics of diurnal tropical tree squirrels was investigated in five forest fragments (three in <5 km2 and two in 20-30 km2 size classes) and compared against two large forest tracts (>100 km2) in upper Assam, north-east India. The study focused on the four common diurnal squirrels, Malayan Giant Squirrel, Red-bellied Squirrel, Hoary bellied Squirrel and Himalayan Striped Squirrel. A set of established trails were used to survey the sites. The diversity of squirrels in the fragments was explained by size of the fragments, intactness of the forest and disturbance levels. The fragments were in a state of continuous degradation, habitat variables being influenced more by disturbance levels than by size. Medium-sized fragments continue to retain the diversity of squirrels by the virtue of small pockets of intact habitat in the fragments, while small fragments have been rendered depauperate by synergistic effects of habitat loss, degradation and hunting. Density estimation using trails as transects under distance sampling framework revealed that densities of Malayan Giant Squirrel showed a declining trend in medium fragments and the absence of the species in the small fragments. Densities of Himalayan Striped Squirrel were comparable in large forests and medium fragments and the species was not recorded from the small fragments. Densities of RBS were high across all sites, including the small fragments Time activity budget, vertical space use for foraging and diet were investigated underthe umbrella of changes along basic niche dimensions of time, space and diet. Niche width along time decreased in the fragments for all squirrels suggesting reduced active periods. For the Malayan Giant Squirrel, niche width decreased along the other two dimensions as well in the fragments, suggesting restriction of foraging strata and diet. On the other hand, for the Red-bellied Squirrel, niche width increased along vertical space use and diet axes suggesting expansion of niche in the fragments. These differential responses of species to habitat fragmentation resulted in changes in overlap between species in fragments and a potential alteration of competitive dynamics between species in modified habitat conditions. Comparing trends in density estimates and responses of squirrels along basic niche dimensions revealed that similar inferences can be drawn from the two assessments about the potential sensitivity of a species to habitat fragmentation. Responses along basic niche dimensions can be possibly used to make prior assessments of responses to habitat alteration before differences in densities, which is a more gradual process, start to show up. It is clear from the findings of the study that diversity of squirrels depends on quality of habitat. Medium-sized fragments have the potential to retain the diversity of squirrels. They should be prioritized and accorded enough protection to deter further degradation and hunting in these fragments. Malayan Giant Squirrel and Himalayan Striped Squirrel appear to be sensitive to habitat fragmentation, while the Red-bellied Squirrel appears to be tolerant.Item Habitat use by Gaur (Bos gaurus gaurus) and Assessment of Human-Gaur Conflicts Human Modified Landscapes of Nilgiris Forest Division Tamil Nadu(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Indira, S.; Sathyakumar, S.Gaur is the largest bovine in the world and is threatened by factors such as habitat loss, poaching, diseases and other anthropogenic stresses. In unprotected landscape, their habitat is confined to small forest pockets which are interspersed with human habitations. This study investigated the use of human-modified landscapes by gaur and how does this potentially increase the negative interaction between human and the animal. Information on ecology of gaur is limited to a few studies conducted within protected areas in India. This study was conducted in the six ranges of the Nilgiris FD, viz., Udhagai North, Udhagai South, Kattabettu, Kotagiri, Coonoor, and Kundha that encompassed an area of 900 km2 during the period January to April, 2019. Secondary data related to conflict and gaur mortality was collected from the District Forest Office to assess the current conflict scenario. To investigate the habitat use by gaur, the study area was divided into grids (2 km x 2km) and an average effort of 1.5 km (+/- 0.5 km) was made in every grid. To evaluate the perception and attitude of people towards gaur and human-gaur conflict, a semi-structured questionnaire was designed preceding the reconnaissance survey. The total crop raiding incidences were 31, human deaths 6, human injury 36, livestock death 4 and property damage 3. Injuries to humans due to gaur attacks appears to be most recorded conflict as indicated by the number of incidents in 3 years, followed by crop raiding, human deaths, livestock deaths and property damage. Areas such as Nunthala, Adhigaratti and Ithalar of Kundha and Udhagai south has high conflict. Areas such as Konvakarai and Bickapathy had medium conflicts and the rest were of low conflict intensity. Most of the conflicts were of crop raiding during the months January to April. In total, 79 gaur sightings 38 dung were recorded in the study area during the study period. Most of the visual sightings were in tea plantation followed by reserve forest, human settlement and cropland. Gaur dung were recorded only in forested habitats. Various groups of people majorly sight gaur in tea plantations than other habitats. Most of the respondents have sighted gaur in and around human habitation during dawn followed by dusk and night hours. Crop Raiding (CR), Human Attack (HA), Traffic hindrance (TRA), Presence in Human Habitation (PRE HH) are the classes of conflicts perceived by the local communities. Majority of the respondents sighted gaur at least twice in a weak. Respondents’ perceived gaur as threat majorly due to have experiencing fear of attack and crop raiding. Gaur is considered as a major threat animal followed by sloth bear, wild pig, leopard and bonnet macaque. Tea plantations are the source for grass and weeds for the gaur to feed on. Proportion of reserve forest is less than other land use classes in the study area. Hence, for the large mammal like gaur can sustain only if it adapts to use the human habitation for food. Investigations on body health condition, home range, population, breeding ecology, behavior, and so on should be made in the future to understand the ecology of the large bovid within close proximity to human. Such research findings will help to make better conservation efforts for site specific and species specific issue. In spite of various wildlife encounters and conflict incidences it is likely that people and animals are co-existing in the Nilgiris. The Forest Department may have to adopt proactive measures for monitoring and management of human-animal conflict in the Nilgiris with more emphasis on gaur. Awareness creation amongst local communities and rapid response by the Forest Department personnel to manage human-wildlife conflict is crucial to avoid injury/ death and other losses/disturbances for the peaceful co-existence of both animal and people.Item Endoparasitic Prevalence and Associated Physiological Changes in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) Across Areas of Different Intensities of Human Use(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Nulkar, SakshiThis study was conducted on the endoparasites of Rhesus Macaques in two areas namely Chandrabani and Rajaji-Chidiyapur during the months of January to April 2019. The aim of this study is to understand whether, between two study areas, there is a difference in the parasite prevalence levels, and incidence of mixed infections of parasites in Rhesus macaques. Also, the aim is to see if a relationship exists between parasite prevalence and the blood parameters. Parasitism is considered to be a natural phenomenon present within any population. However, it is worth questioning whether the parasite populations share many host species in an area of high human-wildlife interface and whether human parasites find refuge in macaques also. Rhesus macaques were studied in Chandrabani area (higher intensity of human use) and Rajaji-Chidiyapur (low intensity of human use). Within the study areas of Chandrabani and Rajaji-Chidiyapur, the Chandrabani area was speculated to have higher parasite prevalence. A total of 143 faecal samples were collected from both the areas. These samples were analysed in the laboratory for the morphological identification of the parasite genera. For the blood samples, a total of 49 animals were captured and their blood samples were taken for blood testing. Levels of bilirubin, haemoglobin, total proteins, albumin, differential leukocyte counts, RBC counts, platelets etc. are known to show relationships with the parasite infections and hence these parameters were analysed amongst others. Parasite prevalence was calculated for the two areas separately, which indicated the number of individuals that were infected by a particular parasite in the host populations. Blood parameters were correlated with these parasite prevalences to visualize their relationships. Parasite prevalence was found to be significantly higher in Chandrabani area than Rajaji- Chidiyapur. However, parasite species richness and the incidence of multi-species (mixed) infections in Rhesus macaques were not different between the two areas. Amongst the blood parameters, the mean values of total bilirubin, total protein, RBC count and haemoglobin values showed strong correlations with parasite prevalences of the troops in Chandrabani area. This data for the haematological and biochemical parameters is the first such report for free-ranging Rhesus Macaques in northern India.Item 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.Item Has conservation gone to the dogs? : ecological aspects of free ranging dogs of the Thar(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Mohandas, Monisha S.; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Qamar; Dutta, SutirthaOne of the few mammals to have a near-global distribution, dogs (Canis familiaris) are an introduced mammalian predator. Dogs have contributed to 11 vertebrate extinctions and are a potential threat to 188 threatened species globally. This study investigates population sizes, ranging patterns, behavioural activity, and resource utilisation of free-ranging dogs in Thar landscape, Rajasthan. 2. Using double sampling framework, I calibrated effort-standardized counts (C) with mark-recapture based abundances (𝑁̂) that was used to estimate dog abundances within human habitation. Landscape-scale dog abundance was estimated using vehicle transect based distance sampling. Home ranges of nine free-ranging dogs was determined using locations from radio-telemetry. Resource use was quantified as feeding durations on various food items based on continuous monitoring. Resource availability was quantified as wild prey and livestock carcass density using line transect based distance sampling. This study provides information on important aspects of free-ranging dog ecology and their impacts in Thar landscape. It provides the basis required for implementing dog control programs in the landscape focusing on the flagship and critically endangered great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps.Item Niche partitioning between assamese and rhesus macaque in the Askot landscape of Uttarakhand, Northern India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Justa, Priyanka; Kumar, R.S.; Talukdar, GautamClosely related species often have similar requirements and these species need to have certain ecological adaptations to live in sympatry. Two congeneric species the Assamese (Macaca assamensis) and the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) co-occurring in the Askot landscape of Uttarakhand were studied to understand the mechanisms allowing their coexistence. 2. Ecological niche differentiation for the two species was investigated by examining three possible modes of separation: activity pattern, diet and spatial use following observational protocols over a period of five months (December 2016-April 2017). Crop-raiding by macaques often results in human-macaque conflict. With the help of semi-structured interviews, attempts were made to access the level of conflict and people’s perception of these two macaque species. 3. Limited niche overlap was found between two primate species across the study duration. The Assamese macaque differed from the rhesus macaque in time spent on various activities. The former spent more time feeding and the latter in resting. Although 44% of all food items were consumed by both the species, only three of the ten major food items were shared. Assamese macaques preferred leaves and had broader niche breadth compared to rhesus macaques who fed more selectively on fruits. There was a significant difference in feeding heights, habitat and roosting site preferences of the two species. Differences in diet choice and roosting sites, in turn, resulted in differences in daily movement and home range of these species. Despite a partial home range overlap, both these species were found to be spatially segregated at a local scale. 4. The extent of niche overlap across winter and spring seasons in the area showed the greatest divergence in the diets of the two species in winter, while diet overlap was more pronounced in spring. As resources were abundant in the spring, an increase in niche overlap may not have lead to competitive interactions. Synthesis and application: Knowledge about differential resource use of macaques might help in assigning conservation priorities to the different species and their specific ecological niches along with designing species-specific management strategies. The study was able to distinguish the macaque's tendency to co-exist with humans.