Theses and Dissertations

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

Habitat use by sympatric small carnivore in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, India.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1998) Mukherjee, Shomita; Johnsingh, A.J.T.
The present study on three sympatric carnivores, two felids: jungle cat (Felis chaus), and caracal (Caracal caracal) and one canid, the golden jackal (Canis aureus) aimed at studying their spatio - temporal use of food resources. The hypothesis are as follows : 1) Jungle cat is relatively more eclectic in the kind of habitat it inhabits than the jackal. 2) The felids are mostly nocturnal whereas the jackal is both diurnal and nocturnal ( cathemeral). 3) Diet of the three carnivores differs between seasons. 4) Small mammals «1 kg. body weight) form the major diet of the felids and are taken in proportion to their abundance. 5) Jungle cat and caracal are dietary specialists relative to the jackal. The study was conducted in Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) which is located between 74° 17' to 76° 34'N and 25° 5' to 27° 33' E. STR encompassing an area of BOO km2 has three core areas of which core 1, with an area of 273.B km2 forms. the proposed National Park. This area functioned as the study site and the intensive study area was approximately 30 km2.
Ecology of the Asiatic Lion Panthera leo persica.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1993) Chellam, Ravi; Johnsingh, A.J.T.
The major objectives of my study were to assess the predation ecology, habitat use and the ranging patterns of the lions in the Gir forest. The ultimate and long term goal of this research effort was to examine the feasibility of a translocation effort in an attempt to establish a free ranging population of lions away from the Gir forest. The ecological data generated a free ranging population of lions away from the Gir forest. The ecological data generated would enable the assessment of prospective translocation sites and insights gained about lion behavoiur. This study was designed to have an extensive scope to generate base line data for planning and management of gir forest and the lions.
Distribution and movement patterns of the Himalayan Black Bear (Selenarctos thibetanus Cuvier) in Dachigam National Park, Kashmir
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1989) Saberwal, Vasant; Johnsingh, A.J.T.
This study investigates the distribution patterns of the Himalayan Black Bear (Selenarctos thibetanus) in Dachigam Rational Park, Kashmir. It involved basically two components. (i) looking at the differential usage of different parts of the park by bears over a five month study period. and (ii) the spatio-temporal variation in the distribution and availability of fruit during the study. Dachigam National Park of 141 sq. km ranges in altitude from l800m to 4400m. It is divided into Lower (2& sq km) and Upper (115 sq km) Dachigam. Lower Dachigam (LO) is characterized by a broad valley flanked by steep hillsides. Upper Dchigam (UO) is composed of several gullies separated by fairly steep ridges. The valley vegetation is broad leaved, moist deciduous forest with an unusually high abundance pf fruit species. The slopes on either side are dominated by grass (south facing slopes) or a combination of grass, conifers and shrubs (north facing slopes). The vegetation of Upper Dachigam is mainly composed of coniferous species, with alpine meadows in the higher areas. Transects were walked through Lower Dachigam, considered to have over 90% of the Black Bear population of the park. to record animal locations and signs. especially droppings. 100m segments were marked along these transects and sightings and signs plotted accordingly. These segments were the basis of the habitat mapping exercise. A subjective estimate of the abundance of key fruit species was made for each segment. A phenology study looked at the timing of fruiting of key species. Data analysis shows a good, though not significant correlation between sighting frequencies and fruit availability. However there is strong suggestive evidence to indicate that anilla1 movements are largely Controlled by the spatial distribution and phenological status of five to six key fruit species. The lack of significance is probably due to the small data set. The study indicated the lack of defended territories. Instead, as reported from studies on the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus), there are marked seasonal shifts in the use of the home range. Feeding aggregations of up to 20 bears in one hectare are common. Densities of over 1.5 bears per sq km were recorded in Lower Dachigam at times of high fruit abundance. For two months of the year, May and August, black bears disperse out of the park due to very low food availability. Crop raiding (apple, cherry, and maize) is common at this time. The unusually high abundance levels of fruit in Lower Dachigam (due to oak, walnut, and mulberry plantations, over 70 years old) supports a high density of bears at certain times of the year. However, the lack of sufficient fruit at other times of the year is resulting in increasing levels of conflict with the local human population. Problems of oak and walnut regeneration, and the implications of extremely localized oak distribution are discussed. A more detailed study investigating the problem is suggested.
Ecological separation of four sympatric carnivores in Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1989) Mukherjee, Shomita; Johnsingh, A.J.T.
The study conducted from 5th May 1989 to 9th October 1989 covering summer and monsoon looked at the ecological separation of four sympatric carnivores in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. The four carnivores were - Jungle cat (Felis chaus), Fishing cat (Felis viverrina), Jackal (Canis aureus) and otter (Dutra perspicillata). Objectives of the study were to determine differences in dietary composition, habitat occupancy and time of activity as well as to tryout methods for studying sympatric lesser carnivores. Five methods were tried out to obtain these Objectives. Line transects and searches during mornings and nights were used to collect data on prey abundance, location of carnivores and their tine of activity. Scats were collected and analyzed to determine dietary composition and see how they differed among jackal, fishing cat and Jungle cat. Otter spraints were not found. The following conclusions are although some amount of overlap is evident an overall difference in habitat use, time of activity and dietary composition is seen. Jackals and Jungle cats are habitat generalists but dietary specialists. "The fishing cat and otter are habitat as well as dietary specialists . Jungle cat and fishhing cat are largely nocturnal Out the Jackal and otter are active throughout the day. Behavioural observations added to the results obtained from the other methods . 100 methods however were found unsuitable for studying lesser carnivores.

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