M Sc Dissertation(WII)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.168.202.180:4000/handle/123456789/3

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Start date: 2021Subject: search.filters.subject.Behaviour

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Exploring ecological separation between Himalayan blue sheep and Himalayan ibex during winter in Indian Trans-Himalaya
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Prakruthi, G.M.; Sathyakumar, S.; Lyngdoh, Salvador; Bhatnagar, Yashveer
    According to resource selection theory, two related species with similar ecological requirements compete for the same resources. They can only coexist if they are ecologically separated, either by habitat or food preference. This study explored the resource use and ecological separation of ibex (Capra sibirica himalayanus) and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) during the winter in the Spiti Valley, focusing on their segregation in space, habitat use patterns, diet, and activity pattern. The study was conducted in Kibber and Chicham areas (57 km2) of Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, India. This study slightly deviates from the findings of a previous study by Namgail (2006), which reveals a high overlap in the habitat use between ibex and blue sheep in the Zanskar mountains. Systematic sampling using transects and trails, vantage points, opportunistic sampling, and camera traps was employed. Habitat and vegetation variables were recorded at random points and animal sightings to understand the patterns of habitat use and food selection. Spatial and temporal overlaps were analysed and micro-histological analysis of faecal samples compared the proportions of monocots and dicots in their diets. The study investigated how ungulates utilize habitats and their dietary habits with the availability of resources in their environment. Results showed substantial overlap in activity patterns, with the Jaccard similarity index indicating less spatial overlap between the species. The generalized linear model and Non-metric dimensional analysis indicated segregation based on their habitat preferences. However, there were no significant differences in their diets, the two species differed in the use of habitat at finer scales. Ibex preferred interspersed rocky slopes and slabs because of high rocky areas (escape terrain) and sparse vegetation, trading food for security. Blue sheep preferred less rocky areas with high vegetation cover like smooth slopes. Ibex preferred areas with more escape routes available than blue sheep. Thus, I conclude that Blue sheep, being more abundant than ibex, occupy distinct regions within the study area, and have a competitive advantage. While ibex are present in smaller numbers and confined to a specific region. Understanding their ecological requirements, especially in harsh winters, is crucial for targeted conservation efforts to ensure the sustainability of these species in a rapidly changing environment. Future research should focus on climate change impacts on habitat use and resource availability
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    Understanding the efficacy of enrichment intervention from behavioural responses in captive Sloth Bears
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Sudhakar, Mukul
    In this study, I tried to understand how enrichment activities affect the behavior and well-being of captive sloth bears. The study aimed to determine if enrichment intervention helps bears exhibit more natural behaviors and reduce stress-related behaviors, improving their overall welfare. Six Sloth bears were studied in two zoos, Delhi and Mumbai, and were observed before and after introducing enrichment intervention in the form of Pitfall feeder. These Feeders, helps in providing novel feeding methods and interactive object, and were designed to encourage the bears to engage in natural behaviors like exploring, digging and foraging etc. The study used various parameters to track changes in the bears' behavior, including different activity levels such as Proportion of time Active, Inactive and Stereotypic, usage of different zones of their enclosures, and behavior diversity. A comprehensive welfare index was computed from these parameters using Principal Component Analysis. The results showed that enrichment activities had some positive effect on the bears' behavior. The bears became more active and explored more areas of their enclosures after the enrichment activities were introduced. However, the response varied among individual bears, with few showing a decline in stress-related behaviors, while others did not exhibit significant changes or even showed an increase in such behaviors. This variability highlights the need for tailored enrichment plans that cater to the unique needs of each bear. The study also found differences between the two zoos, wherein markers of behavioural well-being were better in Mumbai Zoo compared to Delhi Zoo. This was attributed to better management practices and more complex enclosures in Mumbai. Thus, factors such as long-term management practices and the overall complexity of the enclosures play a crucial role in the well-being of captive sloth bears. In conclusion, while enrichment activities are beneficial for captive sloth bears, their design and implementation should be tailored to the individual needs of each bear to maximise their positive impact on well-being. This research supports the importance of regular and varied enrichment intervention in zoos to increase the wellbeing of captive animals. However, it also underscores the need for comprehensive management practices that ensure the long-term welfare of these animals consisting of enrichment plans and studies to be incorporated in the management plan of the zoos.
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    Beyond the forest: Intraspecific and interspecific aggression in Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Santosh, Charushree; Kumara, H.N.; Mahajan, Prashant
    Rhesus macaques and human have been coexisting from a long time. Living in such close proximity to each other have bought various challenges to both species. Some challenges could be solved by behavioural modifications. This study looks at how various factors affect the aggression in both macaques and humans towards each other and their conspecifics. This study helps in understanding the frequency of aggression in macaques towards each other and humans in different settings. Direction of major aggressive interactions and the factors behind these events were also noted. Human aggression towards macaques were also seen. Most common reason for human initiated aggression was property damage while, for macaques it was threat. This kind of behavioural studies help us manage conflict with this communal species and also lets us see how human presence and behaviour might influence macaque behaviour.
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    Understanding the influence of tourism on behaviour and habitat use of Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius Ogilby, 1838) in Eravikulam National Park, Kerala
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Mohammed, Aslam; Chinnasamy, Ramesh; Ramesh, K.; Karunakaran, P.V.
    Eravikulam National Park is the home for the largest number of Endangered Nilgiri tahr in the world (Predit et al, 2015; Saju,2012) and the park is also having an ecotourism programme dedicated for observing tahr at closer distance (Saju,2012). This population in the tourism area have high human interaction and have become habituated to the presence of humans. Habituation is known to influence the wild behaviour and instincts of animals (Shackley,1996; Knight,2009; Mazur, 2006; Marler & Hamilton,1966; Hingham & Shelton,2011) and this study was intended to understand the influence of tourism on the behaviour and habitat use of Nilgiri tahr in the Eravikulam National Park.The field work was carried for four months from January 2024 to April 2024, of which tourism was closed during the months of February and March, creating three sampling seasons: preclosing, closing and reopening season with varying human presence. Scan sampling and focal sampling (Altman, 1974) were carried out and observations of the population in tourism area were compared to the populations in Varattukulam region of core area which have minimum human interaction. The result showed a significant difference in the behaviour and habitat use between tourism and core area and also across tourism season. The activity pattern in the tourism zone is different from that of the core. Habitat use was also different as most of the behaviour in tourism area were not showing any significant relationship with a particular habitat unlike the population in core area. The flight distance in tourism area was also found to be very much shorter (1.8m) in compared to core area(118m) which is evidence for the extend of habituation tahr has gone through. Interestingly, the tourism adjacent hills which belonged to the same landscape as that of the tourism zone showed higher flight distance. The tourism zone also had high density of predators (Tiger and leopard) and there was spatial overlap between tahr and predators. Study was not able to prove the existence of human shield hypothesis (HSH) (Berger, 2007) as large carnivores were still present in the tourism area and even when tourism was closed, which reduced the number of people on the road, tahr were still coming to tourism area. However, tahrs were observed to be avoiding the carnivore by temporal separation as all camera trapping of predators happened during night time but no tahr was active at that time in tourism road.
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    How Disturbed are the Disturbed Ones ? Impacts of Anthropogenic Stressors on the Socio-Ecological Interactions of Terai Gray Langur (Semnopithecus hector) in Shivalik Hills
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Dwivedi, Divya; Habib, Bilal; Qureshi, Qamar
    Animals respond to the changes in their habitats numerically and behaviourally. Alterations caused by anthropogenic stresses, like habitat degradation, fragmentation, urbanisation, changes in land use patterns, etc., changes the ecology of most species. Understanding the patterns adopted by these species to successfully survive and reproduce in such habitats is of utmost importance. This study tried to understand the impacts of human disturbance on the socio-ecology of Terai Gray langurs in Shivalik landscape, by comparing the ecology of langur troops inside the protected forest with the troops in disturbed forest. Four troops of Terai Gray langur, of comparable sizes, two in each treatment were selected.