Theses and Dissertations

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    Breeding biology and diet of Tawny eagles (Aquila rapax) in desert National Park, Rajasthan, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2026) Varma, Gayathri; Kher, Varun S.
    The Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax), is raptor species, found across the Indian subcontinent, widely spread and poorly studied. There is very limited quantitative information present on the nest-site selection, breeding behaviour and diet selection of Tawny Eagles. This study investigates the factors influencing habitat selection, breeding ecology and diet composition of the population of Tawny Eagles in the Thar desert landscape of Rajasthan, India, during the 2025-2026 breeding season. This study aimed to provide a baseline understanding of the species ecology by examining nest-site selection, spatial distribution of nests, parental behaviours, provisioning behaviours and seasonal changes in prey compositions. Nest search was conducted across approximately, 2000 km2, with approximately 4000 km of nest search effort with active nest tree characteristics mapped, and distance between the nest and the protected grasslands calculated. A total of ten nests were found across the study area, with all nest occurring within, or in close proximity to the protected grasslands in Desert National Park. Nine out of ten nests were either inside enclosures or located immediately adjacent to them, with an average distance of 1.56 km from enclosure boundaries. Nest trees were predominantly Prosopis cineraria, with nesting trees averaging over 7.5 m in height and providing large crown structures suitable for nest placement, with all nests being placed at the top of the tree. As all the nests were recorded in only a small part of the study area, a rapid population survey was conducted across the study area to determine the spatial distribution of the species across the study area. Raptor surveys covering 734.78 km across 63 grids recorded 14 Tawny Eagle sightings, confined largely to areas where nests had been located. Breeding behaviour was studied using focal observations and CCTV monitoring across active nests, generating approximately 900 hours of behavioural data. Breeding was found to occur in the winter months, with most eggs being laid in December and January, hatching in the months of January and February, with fledging occurring by the end of March through April. Results showed differences in parental roles, with females primarily responsible for nest attendance and chick care, while males acted as the primary providers of prey. Female nest attendance decreased as chicks matured, while chick vigilance increased with age. Provisioning behaviour demonstrated seasonal variation, with Spiny-tailed Lizards (Saara hardwickii) becoming the dominant prey item during warmer months. Diet composition was assessed using pellet analysis, CCTV observations, and drone surveys, resulting in 224 prey records from nine nests. Tawny Eagles showed dietary flexibility, with mammals (41.9%) and reptiles (40.1%) comprising the majority of prey items. Diet composition changed significantly across months and nesting stages, with a shift from mammalian prey during colder months towards increased reptilian prey as temperatures rose and Spiny-tailed Lizards became more available. Overall, this study highlights the importance of protected grassland habitats within Desert National Park for supporting Tawny Eagle populations by providing suitable nesting structures, reduced disturbance, and productive foraging habitats. The findings provide the first detailed quantitative assessment of habitat selection, breeding behaviour, and diet composition of Tawny Eagles from the Indian population and establish a foundation for future long-term studies on population status, reproductive success, and conservation requirements of this species.
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    Female mate sampling in a Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) Lek in Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2026) Akshay, A.J.; Habib, Bilal; Rathore, Akanksha
    Mate choice is a fundamental component of sexual selection, and the behavioural mechanisms through which female sample males have been the focus of extensive theoretical research. Numerous mate sampling models have been proposed, including random mating, fixed-threshold, best-of-n, and Bayesian comparative tactics. However, the empirical evaluation of these frameworks remains limited in mammalian systems. Lekking species provide a unique opportunity to study female mate sampling behaviour because males aggregate spatially while females retain the freedom to sample and choose among multiple potential males. The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), one of the few mammals exhibiting a lek mating system, offers an ideal model for examining these processes. This study was conducted at Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan, India, between February 2026 and April 2026, during one of the peak mating seasons reported in India. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) were used to track focal female movement and interactions within a mapped lek during a mate sampling bout. Female mate sampling bouts were defined as the period between a female’s entry into and exit from the lek. Individual sampling trajectories on the lek were reconstructed to evaluate movement predictions under the theoretical mate sampling models and patterns of lek use. Number female blackbucks on leks showed a seasonal increase, with peak activity occurring during late March and early April, tracking the patterns observed in number of males on lek. Both sexes exhibited significantly lower attendance during midday sessions compared to the morning and the evening sessions. Spatial analysis revealed that the centre of the lek received disproportionately higher female visits, and greater occurrence of mountings than the peripheral territories. Most female mate sampling bouts involved visits to fewer than six territories despite substantially large number of available males, suggesting that females only sample a subset of potential males. The distribution of sampling strategies classified on the basis of movement patterns, did not differ significantly from a uniform distribution, indicating co-existence of multiple strategies within a population, such as whether to visit single or multiple males, or whether to revisit a previously sampled male within a sampling bout, etc. Patterns consistent with first encounter, sequential, and best-of-n mate sampling were observed. Overall, this study provides one of the first detailed empirical examinations of mate sampling behaviour in a mammalian lekking species. By combining fine-scale movement observations of female blackbucks on leks with predictions of theoretical models, it offers an opportunity to evaluate how females sample mates under natural conditions. Specifically, the study quantified the movement parameters of female mate sampling behaviour, including the number of territories visited, the sequence and order of visits, time spent within territories and across the lek, and the occurrence of mounting attempts with a new methodological novelty. In doing so, it contributes to bridging the gap between theoretical models of mate choice and empirical evidence from free-ranging populations.
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    Striking a balance: Striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) in the human-interspersed semi-arid landscape of Rajasthan
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2025) Soni, Khushi; Krishnamurthy, Ramesh; Chinnasamy, C.
    This study investigates the spatial ecology and conservation need of critical habitat refugia of a large carnivore, striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), in Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) within the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan, India. Striped hyena plays an important role in maintaining ecosystem health through scavenging and occasional predation, yet faces significant threats from habitat loss, decrease in denning refugia, and increased human disturbance in human-interspersed landscapes. The research focuses on understanding the occupancy patterns and den-site use of striped hyenas in STR, their adaptability to human presence, and their interactions with co-occurring large carnivores such as tigers and leopards, which will provide insights into their persistence in this landscape of coexistence.The study was conducted in an occupancy framework covering 130 survey units of 9 Km2 each. Single season single species occupancy was modeled using environmental and ecological covariates. Den-site use was analyzed using binomial generalized linear models (GLM) incorporating first only environmental covariates, and later both environmental and ecological covariates combined to look if striped hyena shows a tradeoff in utilizing the available denning refugia. Spatial interaction with tigers and leopards was also analyzed through conditional occupancy estimates and species interaction factors (SIF) to look at the change in their spatial ecology over a decade. The best-fit occupancy model (AIC = 435.38) identified open habitat as the strongest positive influence (β = 1.607 ± 0.417, p<0.001), followed by wild prey index (β = 1.226±0.434, p<0.005), closed habitat (β = 0.668, p < 0.05), and ruggedness, which showed a negative effect (β = -0.584±0.285, p < 0.05). Striped hyenas exhibited a higher probability of site utilization in the presence of tigers (0.73 ± 0.09) and leopards (0.83 ± 0.06), with SIF values of 1.18 for tigers and 1.29 for leopards, indicating co-occurrence and potential resource sharing. Compared to a 2014 study when tiger numbers were lower (n=11), site utilization in the presence of tigers increased from 0.53 to 0.73, revealing behavioral adaptations following tiger reintroduction in STR. High SIF with leopards suggested that high prey availability in STR mitigates interspecific competition. This challenges the mesopredator release hypothesis, as both striped hyena and leopard populations have increased alongside rising tiger numbers, likely due to abundant resources and available habitat refugia. Den-site selection was analyzed using two approaches: environmental predictors alone and a combination of environmental and ecological predictors. The best environmental model (AIC = 132.47) included elevation (β = -1.0961, p < 0.01), ruggedness (β = 0.5166, p < 0.0 ), distance to road (β = 0.6249, p < 0.05), and distance to village (β = 0.4363, not significant), indicating a preference for moderate elevations, rugged terrain, and areas away from roads. The combined model (AIC = 131.07) included elevation (β = -0.9766, p < 0.01), ruggedness (β = 0.5452, p < 0.05), and human disturbance index (HDI, β = -1.0113, p < 0.05), which indicated towards the striped hyena’s ability to tolerate moderate human disturbance. The shift in the denning refugia, after including ecological variables- Human Disturbance and Wild prey index, indicated towards the tradeoff in the den-site selection by striped hyena that would offer both security and access to essential resources. The findings suggested that open habitats facilitate foraging due to enhanced carcass visibility, while closed habitats and rugged terrain provide secure denning and resting sites. The Aravalli Range, particularly STR, serves as a critical refugia, supporting one of India’s highest striped hyena densities (15.44 ± 2.48 individuals/100 km²). High wild prey abundance and scavenging opportunities from tiger and leopard kills would have likely reduced the reliance on livestock, which too occur in high density. These spatially explicit results showing critical denning refugia in STR as well identifying intensively utilized areas would allow managers to develop evidence-based habitat monitoring program, that would allow to delineate critical habitats as well as include it in the village relocation plan to create more inviolate spaces for wildlife and reduce the anthropogenic pressure on forests as well as check the spread of invasives in the protected area
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    Relocation and Resilience : A Case Study from Sariska Tiger Reserve
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Abhishek; Baroth, Anju; Kolipakam, Vishnupriya; Qureshi, Qamar
    Relocation of villages have implications on socioeconomic status of forest dependent people, however studies have often ignored the well-being of people after relocation. Sariska Tiger Reserve has undertaken relocation as one of its key programmes for biodiversity conservation. In my study I took a field work of analysing the ground realities of relocation in Sariska Tiger Reserve. The objectives of the study suggest: (1) documenting the perception of forest department and communities towards relocation. (2) analysing the resilience of communities in “Relocated” and “To be Relocated” sites. My study includes the use of sociological survey techniques including questionnaire survey, semi-structured interviews, observatory analysis, focused group discussion etc. The study was conducted in two relocated sites (1) Rundh Maujpur (2) Bardod Rundh and future projects villages for relocation Kankwari, Haripura, Lilunda and Kraska. 86 households were surveyed in relocated sites and 96 households were surveyed inside the core zone of Sariska. Results of Resilience have been quantified through abstract and non-abstract measurable. The finding in the study shows that, the influence of local inhabitants on relocation process is very limited. Forest department and local authorities need to retrospect their notion of conservation and rethink their plan for relocation.
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    Ecology of Golden jackal (Canis aureus) in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Chourasia, Pooja
    This study aimed to examine the abundance and occupancy of jackal with the application of photographic captures using camera traps and diet composition through scat analysis, investigate species-habitat relationships from habitat features (non-spatial) and remotely sensed features (spatial) to understand how these variables govern occurrence pattern and predict the distribution of jackal in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan. In India, jackal populations achieve high densities in pastoral areas such as Kutch, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Haryana. This study will vitally improve our state of knowledge to protect jackal and assist the development of theory on their social structure, behavior and habitat preferences in forested ecosystem. The study will help in suggesting localized monitoring mechanisms wherever necessary as this is important in minimizing surprise cases of extinction. The objectives of this study are as follows:-1. To determine the abundance of golden jackal. 2. To estimate the food availability, food habits and dietary niche overlap between golden jackal and other meso-carnivores.3. To evaluate the den site selection by golden jackal and, 4. To evaluate the habitat use by golden jackal. The study was conducted from 2010-2013 in Sariska Tiger Reserve (79° 17’ to 76°34’N and Latitude: 27° 5’ to 27° 33’ E), Rajasthan. Selected 160 km2 of intensive study area which was divided into four blocks. A total of 160 locations were selected for the placement of camera traps where, each block having 21 camera trap stations. Peafowl was observed to be the most abundant prey species throughout the study period. Amongst the wild prey species, nilgai was observed to be the most abundant wild ungulate prey species followed by, chital, wild pig and sambar in the study area..The Species distribution data was collected from camera trapping, direct sighting records, scat locations and track locations and was pooled for the entire study period 2010-2013, collectively making 413 observed point locations in the intensive study area.
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    Ecology of Indian Rock Python (Python molurus molurus Linn.1758) in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India.
    (SACON, 2012) Ramesh, C.; Bhupathy, S.
    Snakes in India are one among the richest assemblages in the world with about 279 species reported so far. However, studies focusing on their ecology are scanty. In tropical ecosystems, it is important to understand ecology of large bodied snakes such as pythons for proposing measures to conserve them. In this context, assessment of the python habitat and understand burrow ecology, population ecology, diurnal activity, food and feeding habits and breeding biology were investigated. The results provided are based on visual observations on free ranging Indian python in Keoladeo National Park (KNP) Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India between October 2007 and April 2010.
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    Distribution of select nutrients and metals in the soils of a wetland-terrestrial ecosystems complex: A Case Study of Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India.
    (SACON, 2007) Prusty, Anjan Kumar B.; Azeez, P.A.
    The present study reports the pedological characteristics along the soil profile in a mixed habitat system (woodland. wetland and grassland) with emphasis on selected nutrient elements. alkali and alkaline earth metals, and heavy metals. The main purpose of this study was to examine the distribution pattern of nutrients, alkali and alkaline earth metals and heavy metals on a spatio- temporal scale. Soil samples collected at depths of O, 25, 50, 75 and 100 cm were examined with respect to certain select Physico-chemical parameters following standard methods and was found to differ considerably in their nutrient contents.
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    Ecology of striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Mandal, Dibyendu K.; Sankar, K.; Qureshi, Qamar
    This study was conceivedto fill gaps in our understanding of striped hyena population parameters, resource utilization and their sociality. Finally, the findings were synthesized to understand the processes shaping diverse sociality of striped hyenas across varying resources in a comparative context under the framework of RDH. The present study was undertaken in Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR), a protected area situated in the semi-arid region of North-Western India. STR is an isolated system which has a sharp boundary with human habitations.
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    Ecology of leopard (Panthera pardus) in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Mondal, Krishnendu; Shankar, K.; Qureshi, Qamar
    The present study estimated the prey availability and prey consumption, population and survival rate and the home ranges and resource selection of leopard in Sariska Tiger Reserve. The Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) (N27o05’ to N27o45’ and E76o15’ to E76o35’) is situated in the Aravalli Hill Range and lies in the semi-arid part of Rajasthan for four consecutive years from 2007 to with these objectives: 1. To estimate the prey availability of leopard 2. To study the food habits and prey selection of leopard 3. To estimate the population of leopard and 4. To study the home range and habitat use of leopard. In the present study, food habits and prey selection of leopard were examined during the study period following scat analysis method and kill records. Radio-telemetry technique was followed to estimate the home range and habitat use of leopard as this technique is found to be the most updated and useful practice to gather information on home range, daily and seasonal movement pattern of big cats. The result of this study presented the abundance of prey species of leopard and their consumption by leopard in Sariska TR. The study also estimated the population and survival rate of leopard in Sariska TR. Home range and habitat use of leopard was estimated in the present study and a habitat suitability model for leopard was generated in and around Sariska TR.
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    Ecology of medium and small sized carnivores in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Gupta, Shilpi; Sankar, K.; Qureshi, Qamar
    To assess wildlife population trends, scientifically based monitoring programs must be carried out. A new generation of camera traps and the use of well developed capture-recapture models have led to an increase in the use of remote surveying and monitoring methodologies for nocturnal species. Population estimates can be done for individually identifiable cryptic nocturnal species through camera trap. The study was carried out in Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR), western Rajasthan, India, (79° 17’ to 76°34’N, 27° 5’ to 27° 33’ E) from November 2007 to June 2009. The objectives of study are (1) To estimate the abundance of medium and small sized carnivores such as striped hyena, jackal, jungle cat, civets and mongoose. (2) To study the prey availability and food habits of medium and small sized carnivores and To assess the habitat suitability for these carnivores. In this study, both capture - recapture method and Royle -Nichols (2003) approach was applied to photographic capture trap data to estimate density and abundance of nocturnal cryptic species. The results of this study presented both numerically and also in the form of habitat suitability maps for all the study species in the study area. These finding have potential to develop basis for managing areas for these medium and small sized carnivores in Sariska and other similar habitat in semi arid zone.