Technical Reports

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Author: search.filters.author.Sankar, K.Subject: search.filters.subject.Mammals

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    Reintroduction of Gaur (Bos gaurus gaurus) in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Sankar, K.
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    Habitat ecology and conservation status of wild ungulates in Northern parts of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Ladakh
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Rawat, G.S.; Sankar, K.
    An ecological study on the wild ungulates was carried out in the northern parts of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Ladakh during 2007 – 2009 with a view to ascertain the population status, distribution and habitat use pattern. The five species of sympatric ungulates found in this part of Trans-Himalaya include chiru or Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsoni), wild yak (Bos mutus), Tibetan argali (Ovis ammon), kiang (Equus kiang) and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur). Specific objectives of the study were: (i) To study the population status and distribution of wild ungulates in northern parts of Changthang WLS, (ii) To study the habitat characteristics and habitat use by the ungulates, (iii) To identify the major threats and suggest conservation strategies, and (iv) To evolve protocol for monitoring wildlife populations in the study area. 2.The study area was located in the north and north-east of Pangong Tso covering Phobrang surrounds and Changchenmo Valley which vary in altitude from 4450 to 5800m asl. The entire landscape is spread over an area of >3100 km2. However, intensive study was conducted within <500 km2 around Phobrang and Changchenmo. The study area is characterized by cold arid environment with very sparse vegetation cover which can be categorized into moist and mixed meadows, desert steppe and scrub steppe. About 12% geographical area is covered by perpetual snow and glaciers, 1.6% area is represented by moist and marsh meadows and over 84% area is under sparsely vegetated desert steppe which is further divisible into various landscape units and habitat types. The study area is the only place within Indian territory where these five sympatric ungulates co-exist.3.Based on a reconnaissance trip we classified the study area into various strata. Field work was carried out during 2007 – 2009 covering two summer and one winter season. Line Transects and trail monitoring were followed for the collection of data on population structure, status and distribution of ungulates in various areas on seasonal basis. In each strata transects varying in length of 6-8 kms were walked. A total of 503 km were monitored in 42 trails, spending 249.85 hrs of observation. Data based on direct sightings and indirect evidences of ungulate species were recorded along transects in the survey blocks. Habitat parameters were quantified using standard methods. Conservation and management issues were identified based on primary and secondary data collected from the survey area.4.The study reveals that of the five species of sympatric ungulates, chiru and wild yak use only parts of Changchenmo Valley while remaining three species are found in both the areas. In Changchenmo Valley we estimate a population of 20 – 30 chiru, 110 – 120 wild yak, 125 – 150 kiang, 120 - 130 blue sheep and 35 – 50 Tibetan argali. Based on the past reports and present study we conclude that number of chiru population in Changchenmo Valley is on decline. Our study reveals that chiru males do use Changchenmo Valley during winter. For the first time, we report a new location of chiru i.e., Thratsang La in Changthang plateau.5.Blue sheep, being smallest of all the ungulates, selected steep and glaciated zones with short forbs and a few graminoids. Chiru males and wild yak were confined to eastern part of Changchenmo Valley, especially with higher cover of graminoids (Carex moorcroftii, Stipa purpurea, Leymus secalinus and Scirpus sp.). Kiang occupied most of the habitat categories except steep slopes and cliffs. Highest altitudes were used by blue sheep followed by wild yak, Tibetan argali, chiru and kiang. Kiang and argali showed preference for south facing slopes while other species used in proportion to availability.The major conservation issues in the study area include (i) Small and fragmented populations of threatened ungulates, (ii) Degradation of rangelands and loss of productivity, (iii) Possible genetic contamination of wild yak, (iv) Presence of feral dogs around security camps, (v) Lack of alternate livelihoods for the local people, (vi) Inadequate infra-structure and man power for the PA management. Appropriate recommendations to deal with above issues have been given.The study area is partly controlled by the Indian security personnel, who have taken keen interest in the conservation and monitoring of threatened wildlife in the area. A detailed monitoring protocol based on vehicle survey, on-foot patrol and animal observations from the fixed positions have been suggested.
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    A study on sympatric carnivores (Tiger, leopard and wild dog) in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamilnadu, India : final report
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Sankar, K.
    A detailed long-term study on prey selection, food habits and population status of sympatric large carnivores (tiger, leopard and dhole) was documented in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu from January 2008 to April 2010.The objectives of the study were to estimate density, group size and composition for prey species of sympatric carnivores, study the food habits and prey selectivity of sympatric carnivores and to estimate the population of sympatric carnivores. The study area was divided into 3 x 3 km2 grids for line transect sampling. In each grid, a line transect (1.5 to 3.13 km) was laid (n = 33) along which the prey density was estimated for two successive years (January 2008 to December 2010). Prey species availability was estimated using line transect method in an intensive study area of 180 km2 comprising dry thorn, deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. The total length of line transects was 41.3 km. Each line transect was walked thrice in the dry season (January to April) and wet season (May to December) yielding a total effort of 369.45 km. Vehicle transects were used to estimate group size and composition of prey species in the intensive study area. Five vehicle transect routes ranging from 15 to 23 km were monitored. Total transect length of 93.5 km was monitored twice a month resulting in a total effort of 3740 km.
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    Ecology of leopard (Panthera pardus) in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan : Executive summary
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Sankar, K.; Qureshi, Q.; Jhala, Y.V.; Mondal, K.; Gupta, S.; Chourasia, P.
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    Evaluation of prey availability and habitat suitability for tigers and its ranging patterns in Sanjay Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Ramesh, K.; Sankar, K.; Kumar, Deleep; Nigam, Parag; Qureshi, Qamar; Raman, K.; Rajasekar, R.; Chaudhuri, Sankarshan; Sundaram, Snehaa; Hazra, Poushali
    Tiger conservation in human dominated landscape such as Sanjay Tiger Reserve (STR) has always been challenging for the managers and conservation planners. Anthropogenic factors have affected the area negatively, causing habitat degradation, depletion of prey base and unviable tiger population. STR is considered to be low density tiger population area and require recovery strategy, involving translocation from other areas, since natural colonization is not possible to boost the population to viable state. As a precursor to active population recovery, the project was conceived and implemented to establish baseline on prey availability and habitat suitability for tigers, which also involved understanding ranging patterns of tigers using radiotelemetry. Prey availability in terms of density of wild ungulate was estimated and was found to be low (8.2 ± 0.8 animals per km2), but there is an increasing population trend during the study period (2014- 2017), largely owing to active protection measures. Amongst the wild ungulates, density of chital was the highest (3.0±0.6/km2) followed by wild pig (2.0±0.6/km2), nilgai (1.8±0.3/km2), chinkara (1.1±0.3/km2) and four horned antelope (1.0±0.4/km2). Livestock (11.6±5.5/km2) was the most abundant animal using the reserve throughout, also contributing to prey base to some extent. Home range of one radio-collared adult male tiger was estimated to be 208.6km2 during May 2015 to July 2015 and the animal got killed to a territorial fight with another male tiger. Similarly, home range of radio-collared (captive-raised) tigress was estimated to be 154.1 km2 during October 2016 - May 2017. Exploring large areas could be attributed to limitation of mate choice and a depleted prey base. Habitat suitability of tiger was assessed based on habitat covariates and it was found that 44% of the total area of tiger reserve is potentially suitable habitat in the current status of prey availability, but the suitability can increase to 61% if prey base can be restored in other areas of the reserve. Carrying capacity of tiger was determined for STR based on the current prey density. It was found that STR can support 11 tigers in this present situation. Population Viability Analysis (PVA) with the carrying capacity of 11 tigers and current population (four individuals, one adult male, two adult females and one juvenile) of tiger in STR showed a poor survival probability (0.12 ±0.03) over a time span of 25 years. However, given the availability of habitat space and potential to increase prey base, doubling of carrying capacity from 11 to 22 tigers is possible with a supplementation of two tigers in every three years until year ten and it will ensure very high survival probability (0.87±0.03). Active recovery strategy should target the futuristic carrying capacity and management actions would have to be geared towards this. In this context, active population recovery and long-term monitoring strategy has been proposed towards successful population recovery and establishment of viable tiger population, along with other habitat covariates.