Theses and Dissertations
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Item A study on predation ecology of large carnivores with special reference to human-carnivore conflicts in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, Central India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2022) Chatterjee, Anindita B.; Sankar, K.; Qureshi, Qamar; Jhala, Y.V.Seven years of data (2008 – 2015) resulted in phot-capture of 96 unique individual tigers in the study area. The estimated survival rate of individual tigers was high. Survival of female tigers were higher than that of the male tigers but the range was overlapping. Apparent survival and transitional probabilities were best explained by gender specific models. Survival constant was selected as the best model for estimating growth rate of tigers. Calculated annual growth rate was 13% with no observed sex bias.Item Population dynamics and resource selection by tigers (Panthera tigris) in Corbett Tiger Reserve.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Bisht, Shikha; Qureshi, Qamar; Jhala, Y.V.Large carnivores are on the brink of extinction across most of their range and this is especially true for tigers, that are symbolic of the wilderness of the Asian forests. This study was carried out to understand the use of camera trap based capture mark recapture (CMR) technique to understand the population dynamics and space use by tigers in this high density tiger population. For this camera trapped technique used in 521 km2 of Corbett National Park (CNP) under open population capture–mark–recapture framework between 2010 and 2015 to estimate annual abundance, spatially explicit density, survival, recruitment, temporary movements, sex ratio and proportion of females breedingItem Status and spatio-temporal ranging behavior of leopard (Panthera pardus) in Dachigam National Park, Srinagar, J&K.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Noor, Athar; Habib, Bilal; Gopi, G.V.This study was initiated by Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun with support funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, in December 2010 to December 2013 to estimate leopard population and prey abundance, to study the leopard feeding habits and to determine the ranging behavior of leopards in Dachigam National Park. This thesis is an outcome of the main study and has three main objectives. The first objective being to determine the population status of leopards; second is to study the ranging behaviour and habitat use by leopards and lastly to model habitat suitability for leopards in Dachigam National Park. This study also provides basic information about co-occurrence of mammalian species in the community of the moist temperate forest of the Kashmir Himalaya, IndiaItem Aspects of Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) Ecology in Sanjay Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2022) Chaudhuri, Sankarshan; Sathyakumar, S.; Sankar, K.; Qureshi, QamarThis study was conducted to identify the aspects of the ecology of sloth bear. I conducted the fieldwork for this study for three years (2017-2019). The broad objectives of this study were: 1. To estimate the occupancy and abundance of sloth bears and identify environmental and anthropogenic factors which influence the same 2. To assess the space use patterns by sloth bears in terms of habitat use and den selection 3. To investigate the seasonal diet patterns of sloth bears 4. To assess the human-sloth bear conflict based on spatio-temporal interaction.Item Aspects of ecology of large carnivores and their prey in and around Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Adhikarimayum, Aisho Sharma; Gopi, G.V.The conservation of large mammalian carnivore is prioritized as it acts as keystone species across diverse zones of habitat around the globe. They play an important role in regulating and maintaining the abundance of ungulates, in turn influencing the functioning of the ecosystem. In the last few decades, large carnivore’s population have been declining due to anthropogenic activities such as habitat destructions creating forest patch, illegal trade and hunting on wildlife. These threats posed a challenge in the conservation and management of large mammalian carnivores. The co-existence of large carnivores is occurring in many places in the wild due to the availability of less prey base, habitat fragmentation and high human interferences. Thus, the understanding of ecology of large carnivore and their prey species particularly on habitat selection, prey-predators’ relations in aspects of distribution and abundance, such ecological data can be useful to evaluate not only their habitat requirement but will also aid in long term management of wildlife and conservation of their habitats. So, efficient conservation and monitoring of large carnivores such as tiger and wild dog (dhole) is required for the assessment of complex mix of ecological, ethical and symbolic inter-relationships. The study was conducted at Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary; it covers an area of 4149 km2 and situated in Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh. The tiger is culturally considered as a brother by the local Idu Mishmi community who live in the Dibang Valley district in Arunachal Pradesh. Though the local community has long been claiming about the presence of tigers in the region, unfortunately, no efforts were made by the line departments, academicians, or conservationists to assess and monitor the tigers, their prey, and habitat in Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary. This preliminary study was carried out after the rescue of tiger cubs from the district in Angrim Valley during December 2012. The rescued tiger cubs were the first-ever record of a tiger from the sanctuary. The primary objectives for the aspects of ecology of large carnivores and their prey in and around Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary are: a) To estimate the abundance of large carnivores in and around the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, b) Assess the abundance of wild prey in and around the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, c) Assess the food habits and prey selectivity of large carnivores in and around the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, and d) To quantify the extent of human-wildlife interaction in and around the protected area. An intensive camera trapping exercise was carried out during October 2015 to June 2017 in the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining landscapes to monitor large carnivores and their prey species. Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary and its adjoining landscape harbors sizable population of large carnivores such as tiger and wild dogs. The study has reported the first photographic evidence of tiger presence from the community forest of Mishmi hills range in Dibang Valley District at an altitude of 3630 m amsl and it is the highest record from the Indian part of the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity hotspot. This study has generated baseline information on tiger, wild dog and prey species in Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining landscape. Tigers do not necessarily use only the protected areas; they use the community forests outside the protected area as well.Item Habitat, food resource utilization of Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus, Horsfield 1826) and conflict with humans in Lahaul valley, Himachal pradesh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Kumar, Vineet; Adhikari, B.S.; Sharma, Lalit KumarHimalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) is one of the top carnivores dominating the higher altitudes of the North and Western Himalayan landscape. In India, based on the 2005 estimate the approximate brown bear distribution range is reported to be 36,800 km2 , whereas only 10% of the total distribution area of the brown bear comes under the protected areas. There is very low density of brown bear lies in its distribution range throughout the Western Himalaya, in alpine meadows, scrub and sub-alpine forests of two Union Territories (Jammu and Kashmir; and Ladakh) and two Indian Himalayan States, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Due to its inaccessible and high altitude habitat, the brown bear has been poorly studied in India, as well as in other parts of the Asian highlands.In the recent decade, the widespread exponential growth of the human population, infrastructure development, and agricultural intensification has led to the alteration of natural habitats into human-modified landscapes, bringing humans and wildlife into close proximity. In areas where brown bear and human habitation are in close proximity, brown bears feed on agricultural/horticultural crops and livestock predation leads to human-brown bear conflict and lessens local tolerance for bears. As the human settlements encroach further into remote areas, bear-human conflict escalates. Himalayan brown bear in its distribution range in India facing prevailing threats such as habitat loss, cropland expansion, anthropogenic disturbances, human brown bear conflict and climate changes. The present study was proposed to understand in detail the habitat use and feeding habits of brown bear with respect to human-brown bear conflict to develop mitigation strategies. For conducting this study, the vast geographic area of Lahual valley was stratified into different habitats and then divided into 10 km × 10 km grids for extensive study. First objective of this study aimed to understand the habitat utilization pattern of the Himalayan brown bear in selected grids of Lahaul Valley across the seasons (Intensive study area). To achieve this objective sign survey and camera trapping data was used and sixty-five logistically possible grids were surveyed across the seasons (summer and pre-hibernation), in different habitats and elevation gradients.he findings of the present study highlight a distinct seasonal pattern in habitat use of the Himalayan brown bear. In summer, bears predominantly utilized the areas with extensive vegetation cover as evidenced by a positive association with rangeland and Shannon diversity index and NDVI-summer, particularly away from the human settlements in the elevation range of 3000m to 4500m. Conversely, in the per-hibernation phase, Himalayan brown bear tends to avoid high-altitude areas with limited vegetation, opting for areas with available vegetative materials. Notably, habitat use was concentrated in the elevation range of 2800m to 3800m closer to the human settlements in comparison to summer. Regardless of the season, the Himalayan brown bear utilizes areas near roads, emphasizing the availability of anthropogenic food resources.Item Movement and space use pattern of Tigers in the Eastern Vidarbha landscape, Maharashtra, India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Hussain, Zehidul; Habib, BilalMovement is a crucial ecological process that influences the survival, population dynamics, and evolution of animals. Animal movement patterns are diverse and are influenced by life stages, sex, age, and habitat requirements. The relationship between animal movement and conservation is complex, particularly due to human-induced environmental changes This study emphasises that various factors influence animal movement, including individual characteristics and external factors such as resource availability, distribution, competition, and predation. Animals adjust their space use based on seasonal changes in resource availability. Additionally, movement patterns and space use can be influenced by habitat disruption, forcing individuals to displace and establish new home ranges. Landscape features play a significant role in animal home ranges, with resource distribution determining the extent of the required area. Fragmentation of habitats and human activities can affect landscape connectivity, leading to isolation, reduced gene flow, and potential genetic bottlenecks or local extinctions. Thus, maintaining habitat connectivity is crucial for long-term survival of highly mobile species. The study highlights the need for comprehensive datasets and technological advancements, such as GPS tracking, to study animal movement and behaviour. It also emphasises the importance of studying dispersal patterns, as dispersed individuals often encounter humandominated landscapes and face increased vulnerability to anthropogenic effects. This study focused on quantifying movement patterns and space use across three life stages: predispersal, dispersal, and post-dispersal phases. The results revealed differences in space use within and outside protected areas, with individuals outside protected areas requiring larger territories. The study also identified seasonal variations in space use and movement patterns, with dispersed tigers exhibiting the highest space use. Land-use composition, landscape configuration, and anthropogenic disturbances influence the use of tiger space. These findings provide insights into the factors influencing tiger movement and space use in a human-dominated landscape. They highlighted the importance of maintaining habitat connectivity, reducing anthropogenic disturbances, and restoring suitable habitats outside protected areas to facilitate dispersal and ensure the long-term survival of tigers.Item Habitat use and interactions of mammalian carnivores in the tropical forest of Manas National Park, Assam, India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Bhatt, Urjit; Adhikari, B.S.; Lyngdoh, SalvadorThe study was conducted at the Manas National Park (MNP), East Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot, in Assam. Previous research on MNP revealed their significance in supporting diverse wildlife, including mammalian carnivores, focusing on their distribution patterns, relative abundance indices, and population estimates. However, interactions, co-existence, and habitat use among carnivores in the park remain understudied, creating concerns for conservation efforts given the threats to biodiversity in Southeast Asia. Examining these aspects of MNP, with their varied ecological niches and body mass variations, can shed light on species interactions and habitat preferences. understanding these complex relationships and habitat use is essential for effective conservation and management strategies to ensure the long-term survival and ecological balance of carnivore communities. The thesis used camera traps to assess the richness, species composition, encounter rates, trap efforts, and threat status of mammalian carnivores in the MNP. The objectives of the study were to (a) assess diversity and species composition of mammalian carnivores, (b) determine temporal interactions among carnivores and their potential prey species, and (c) evaluate space and habitat use of mammalian carnivores in tropical forest of MNP.Item Meta-population Dynamics of Tiger (Panthera Tigris Tigris) in the Terai-Arc Landscape, India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Biswas, Suvankar; Mondol, SamratThis thesis focused to add deeper understanding of populations at a large, contiguous landscape Studying the tiger source-sink population dynamics in relation to current habitat scenarios would be crucial to set the site-specific future management strategies for successful tiger conservation mitigation. In this thesis, a combination of intensive field surveys, non-invasive genetic tools and GIS modelling were used to assess the tiger population connectivity across the TAL. More specifically, genetic diversity, population structure, demographic changes, source and sink populations and the habitat features which help to retain such population dynamics were investigated. Objectives: This thesis has three objecives which have formed three separate chapters. i. Population structure and demographic history of tigers in the Terai-Arc landscape, India. ii. Source-sink dynamics of tigers across different protected and nonprotected habitats in the Terai-Arc landscape, India. iii. Assessment of landscape connectivity of tigers in the Terai-Arc landscape, India.Item Welfare status assessment of captive Asiatic Lions in Gujarat : An Integrated approach.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Goswami, Sitendu; Mondol, SamratThis thesis aims to a. address the welfare state of Asiatic lions Panthera leo persica) based on environmental factors and individual-level differences, and b. propose a methodological framework for evaluation and improvement welfare in captive environments. In this chapter, I will set up the context for this study with a brief chronology of our understanding of the origin of animal welfare and the science of zoo biology and their relevance to the Asiatic lion conservation breeding programme (CBP)