Theses and Dissertations
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Item Tiger and leopard: Population ecology and resource portioning of sympatric carnivores in Kanha Tiger Reserve. M.P.(wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2020) Kumar, Ujjwal; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, QamarLarge investment in the form of protected areas, human resettlement, law enforcement-patrols and habitat management are made to conserve tigers and reap their benevolent umbrella role to secure India’s biodiversity. The objectives of present study are (i) the trend of tiger and leopard population (ii) demography of tigers and leopards and mechanism of their co existence. The study area was Kanha tiger reserve (area 2074 km2), a major stronghold for both species in central Indian landscape. Study investigate the estimated vital parameters of tiger demography through robust design based classical open population models in which population was open to demographic process. This study used both camera trap based mark-recapture and continuous monitoring known fate information to estimate reproductive parameters along with age specific survival and dispersal probability of tigers.Item Spatial abundance of ungulates and role of predation on chital (Axis axis) demography and behaviour in Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand, India.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2022) Banerjee, Sudip; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, QamarTo address the first objective which was to estimate the abundance of ungulates in different habitats of CTR, I have used line transect-based distance sampling approach to estimate the density of four major ungulate species (chital, sambar deer, barking deer, and wild pig) of CTR in ~520 sq. km of the Corbett National Park (CNP) region. Density was estimated using 156 spatial transects replicated 1 to 4 times over four sampling years. Both year-wise and pooled (weighted average of four years) density estimates were highest for chital followed by sambar. Barking deer had the lowest density. Chital density has remained stable over the years. Post-stratifying the densities of the four ungulates by three major habitat types of CNP (grassland, saldominated, and mixed deciduous) exhibited the highest density of chital in the grassland and lowest in the sal-dominated forest. Sambar density on the other hand was highest in the mixed deciduous and lowest in the grassland. Barking deer also exhibited a similar trend of habitat-wise density. A significant part of my thesis was focused on the objective of evaluating the precision and cost-effectiveness of three different density estimation techniques. The diverse ungulate assemblage and complex terrain of CNP provided an excellent environment to conduct this experiment.Item 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, QamarThe 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.Item Ecology of the Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) in Kachchh, Gujarat, with reference to resource selection in an agro-pastoral landscape.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Dutta, Sutirtha; Jhala, Y.V.; Rahmani, Asad R.The Great Indian Bustard is an obligate grassland bird endemic to this region with a global population of only about 300 birds. Present study is based on Species's status, resource selection, behavioual aspects and socio-ecological context to reformate viable bustard conservation strategies. The study was conducted during 2007-11 in SW Kachchh (Gujarat, India)Item 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.Item Reproductive strategy and behaviour of male Asiatic Lions.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2008) Meena, V.; Jhala, Y.V.; Chellam, RaviThe field study was carried out from April 2002 to February 2007 and the intensive study area covered 1075 km2 area of the Gir PA including Sanctuary West and National Park. i) Demographic changes in the Gir lion population were monitored using individual identification profiles for a period of four years. Lion population was estimated using mark-recapture models. Movement patterns, spacing mechanisms and land tenure system of four females (one radio-collared female), five adult males (two radio-collared males) and one subadult male (radio-collared) were obtained. Of these, seven individuals were monitored from 2002–2007. Lion diet was assessed both by intensive search across the study area and record of lion kills as well as analysis of scat. A questionnaire survey was conducted in twenty nesses that included seven nesses in central Gir and thirteen nesses in Gir-west to assess the livestock holding and causes of livestock mortality. Inter-kill intervals were obtained from direct observation of radio-collared lions.Item Understanding aspects of demography and resource partitioning mechanisms of large felids among with abundance and spatial distribution of prey in Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Rathore, Harshvardhan Singh; Pandav, Bivash; Jhala, Y.V.This study investigates the crucial aspect of coexistence for large predators like tigers and leopards sharing the same landscape and delves into the population dynamics of these animals by identifying the mechanisms of resource partitioning. By acting as a window into the inner workings of the ecosystem, the study reveals how tiger and leopard populations function alongside each other. Identifying the factors that influence their ability to share the resources successfully is vital for developing more effective conservation strategies. This knowledge ultimately contributes to ensuring the long-term survival of both tigers and leopards in this landscape. A precise assessment of several demographic parameters is necessary to make informed management decisions for their conservation within this unique habitat. These parameters include population density, sex structure, recruitment, and survival rates. With this background, the study comes with the following objectives. (1) To assess the abundance and spatial distribution of prey in STR.(2) To assess the various demographic parameters of large felids (tiger and leopard) in STR. (3) To determine the mechanisms of resource partitioning of the tiger and the leopard in STR. Similipal Tiger Reserve is located in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, between86˚06' and 86˚36' East longitude and 21˚31' and 22˚02' North latitude. The study was carried out over three years (2019–2021) across eight ranges in the core area of STR: Chahala, Nawana North, Nawana South, and Pithabata South Wildlife in the northern core, and UBK, Jenabil, Bhanjabasa, and National Park in the southern core.Item Evaluating the importance of scale in estimating tiger populations(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2007) Contractor, Deep; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, QamarPopulation estimation is one of the most important aspects of ecological studies as it plays a pivotal role in establishing priorities for species specific conservation and for delineating management practices. The tiger serves as a flagship and umbrella species for conservation efforts in the Indian subcontinent but, unfortunately wild tiger populations are on a drastic decline owing to factors like poaching, habitat fragmentation and degradation. In such a scenario reliable population estimates prove to be of vital importance. Camera trapping technique has been widely used for population estimation of cryptic carnivores including tigers. An attempt was made, through this study, to arrive at population and density estimates for Corbett NP through camera trapping technique following the mark recapture framework and answering some key questions regarding the importance of sampling effort required for arriving at such reliable estimates. A total of 7865 trap nights yielded 358 captures of 103 individual tigers within an intensively sampled area of (MCP) 420.86 km2. The estimated density of tiger was 16.01 (±1.6) per 100 km2 for RPSV, a new approach to calculate effectively sampled area. These estimates coincided with the estimates using full MMDM method. Also, the conventional method of using half MMDM seems to overestimate the density. The estimated sampling effort required for arriving at accurate and precise estimates of the true population in terms of sampling occasions amounted to 35 - 40 days. Evaluation of the influence of trap density revealed that high trap density (25 traps/km2 ca.) is required to get reliable estimates of population irrespective of the underlying population/density gradient.Item Evaluating Tiger (Panthera tigris) Population Estimation Approches in a High Density Area in Kanha Tiger Reserve(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2005) Sharma, Rishi Kumar; Jhala, Y.V.Reliable estimates of status and population trends are critical for the conservation of large terrestrial carnivores as they play an important role in evaluating effectiveness of conservation efforts and also provide benchmark data for future management decisions. Camera trapping technique have been widely used for population estimation of cryptic carnivores including tigers, but the issues regarding sampling design and effort required to effectively sample an area have been paid less attention. An attempt was made to deal with these issues in the present study. The use of intensive search effort for tiger density estimation was also evaluated. Over a 30- day survey period, 33 camera trap sites were sampled in Kanha meadows of the Kanha Tiger Reserve. A total sampling effort of 330 trap nights yielded 39 photocaptures of 12 individual tigers over 10 sampling occasions that effectively covered a 111-km2 area. The model M(o) fitted the capture history data well. The estimated capture probability/sample, p-hat = 0.22, resulted in an estimated population size and standard error (N(SE TV)) of 13 (1.19), and a density (D(SE Z))) of 11.71 (1.74)7100 km2. Camera spacing was found to considerably influence the population estimation. An increase in camera spacing from 1.5 to 2.5 km resulted in a loss of 35% (n=7) of photo captures which consequently decreased the precision of the estimates, though accuracy was not affected. A reduction in the trapping effort in terms of reduced trap nights resulted in lower level of precision though the accuracy of estimates was not affected. Increase in the camera spacing from 1 to 2 km with a decrease in the number of sampling occasions (six) resulted in the loss of 42% of photo captures (n=12) and loss of 25% of individual tigers (Mz+/=9) thus underestimating the true tiger population by 16% ((N(SE N)) being 10(1.84) The data also suggests that the photo-captures are not likely to generate abundance index for species other than tigers, since the cameras are placed to maximize tiger captures in space and time. My results suggest that a thorough reconnaissance survey is of utmost importance for camera trapping studies as it can help to maximize the capture probability of tigers and circumvent the sampling problems. The different statistical estimator’s viz. capture-recapture, jackknife and bootstrap did not show significant differences in the population estimation. Bootstrap estimator performed better than jackknife in terms of greater precision. The differences between the density estimates generated by “camera trapping” (D=l 1.71/100 km2, S.E.=1.74) and “intensive search effort” (0=12.74/100 km2, S.E.=2.27) for tigers were not significantly different. Our results suggest that “intensive search effort” for tigers if used within capture-recapture framework can be used to arrive at reliable population estimationItem 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)