Theses and Dissertations
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Item An assessment of abundance, habitat use and prey selection by carnivores in Khanchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Bashir, Tawqir; Sathyakumar, S.The present study conducted for about five years (2008-2012) was therefore designed to generate some baseline information on the carnivores of the least explored part of the eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot i.e., the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (BR~2,620 km²) with an attempt to assess their diversity, distribution, abundance, space use, food habits, activity patterns and the nature and extent of human-carnivore conflict, if any. An effort was also made to use this information in predicting suitable and priority areas for conservation action and in developing a protocol for long-term population monitoring of these species. Reconnaissance surveys were conducted in seven watersheds of the Khangchendzonga BR and the Prek chu watershed (182 km²) was selected for intensive field work. The study confirmed the presence of 19 species of carnivores from the KBR including 11 species of global conservation significance. In order to understand the factors that govern the co-existence of carnivores in the area their spatial, dietary and temporal patterns of recourse use were also assessed. This study provides the first scientific information on the ecology of carnivores in the Khangchendzonga BR and is of high significance to managers for efficient conservation and management of these ecologically important species and their habitats in such intricate habitats where accessibility and data collection is a limiting factor.Item Conservation and management of snow leopard and co-predators with special reference to large carnivore-human conflicts in select areas of western Himalaya.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2016) Maheshwari, Aishwarya; Sathyakumar, S.The study aims to investigate occurrence, distribution of snow leopard, co-predators and their prey in Kargil, and some gaps areas in Greater Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh and in Greater Himalayan and Trans Himalayan regions in Uttarakhand. Objectives are as follows: Considering gaps in the knowledge on snow leopard in the Western Himalaya, this study focused on the following objectives 1. Determine conservation status and distribution of snow leopard and copredators in Kargil, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh 2. To assess occurrence and estimate density of prey species in Kargil 3. To asses food habits of snow leopard in Kargil, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh 4. To assess snow leopard-human conflicts in Kargil, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh 5. To Predict habitat suitability of snow leopards in the western Himalaya.Item 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, YashveerAccording 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 availabilityItem Ecology of Leopard (Panthera pardus) in Sanjay Gandhi National Park Maharashtra with Special Reference to its Abundance Prey Selection and Food Habits(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Surve, Nikit; Sathyakumar, S.; Sankar, K.Though information is available on the leopard's ecology from natural habitats, very less information is available on the ecology of leopards from human-dominated habitats in India. Hence the study was conducted at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Mumbai where leopard was found to be the apex predator. The total area of SGNP is 104 sq.km. It is covered , by human habitations on all the sides leaving just a narrow tip on the northern side. Camera traps were deployed in a systematic manner covering the entire study area to get leopard images. Leopard density of 21.55 ± 4.6 (SE) at 95% confidence interval was calculated in the study area using Spatially Explicit Capture Recapture models. The wild prey densities were estimated inside SGNP using 'Distance sampling with the help of line transects. The , maximum density amongst ungulates was shown by chital (14.49 ± 5.2[SE]) followed by sambar (7.52 ± 1.7[SE]). Among primates, maximum density was shown by common langur (48.04 ± 8[SE]) followed by bonnet macaque (30.78 ± 12[SE]). Density for other prey species encountered on line transects like wild pig and barking deer were not estimated as they were sighted only twice on the line transects. Dog density on the periphery of SGNP was ca1culated to be 17.26 ± 0.69 (SE) using mark-recapture technique. Food habits of leopards were studied by conducting dietary analysis using leopard scat. The high density of dogs in the periphery of the National Park also reflected in the leopard's diet. Dogs alone contributed 24.46 % of the total biomass consumed in leopard's diet. Domestic prey contributed to 43% whereas wild prey contributed to 57 % of leopard's diet in terms of relative biomass consumed. The study suggests that the leopards are dependent on both wild as well as domestic prey in the study area. Leopards can coexist with humans even amidst urban environs as long as prey population (both domestic and wild) remain sufficient and their habitat is protected.