Technical Reports
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Item A report on population and density estimation of leopards in Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Jhala, Y.V.; Basu, ArnabItem Comparison of tiger population estimated using non-invasive techniques of pugmark, camera trap and DNA based analysis of hair and scat in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve Phase II: Estimation of tiger population : Executive summary(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Singh, R.; Pandey, P.; Saxena, L.; Qureshi, Q.; Sankar, K.; Goyal, S.P.Item Reintroduction of Gaur (Bos gaurus gaurus) in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Sankar, K.Item 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.Item 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.Item National Studbook of Lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus)(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Malviya, Majari; Srivastav, A.; Nigam, Parag; Tyagi, P.C.Item Distribution and abundance of birds and mammals in the Southern Indian ocean, larsemann hills and princess astrid coast East Antarctica(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Jayapal, R.; Ramesh, K.The spatial distribution and abundance of sea birds, penguins and pack ice seals along the Southern Ocean, Ingrid Christensen and Princess Astrid Coast during 29th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica was carried out between November 2009 and March 2010. A total of 34 species of birds with an encounter rate of 9.82/ nautical miles2 were recorded. High species turnover of sea birds was observed between 40° and 50° S longitude. Six aerial sorties were flown along the Ingrid Christensen and Princess Astrid Coast to count penguins and seals along the coast, totalling a length of approx. 1200 km. Adelie and Emperor penguins were recorded with encounter rate of 0.63 ± 0.20 (#/nm ±SE) and 3.81 ± 1.68 (#/nm ±SE) respectively at Ingrid Christensen casts. At Princess Astrid Coast more number of Adelie penguins (1.22 ± 0.12/nm ±SE) was recorded when compared to Emperor penguin (0.60 ± 0.2/nm ±SE). In the present survey, a total of 3601 hauled-out seals were counted from six aerial sorties totalling a length of approx. 1200 km, with each sortie lasting about two hours. Weddell seal Leptonychotes weddellii was the most commonly sighted species in both the areas surveyed (98.2%), and had an encounter rate of 2.9 seals/km. The other species encountered during the survey were crab-eater seal Lobodon carcinophagus (1.7%) and leopard seal Hydrurga leptonyx (0.03%). Group size of hauled-out weddell seals varied considerably and ranged from solitary to maximum of 42 individuals. The median group size of weddell seals hauled-out along the Ingrid Christenson coast was found to be significantly different between the December 2009 and January 2010 survey. Further, along this Coast weddell seals were found hauled-out mainly close to the ice shelf and their spatial distribution appeared to be influenced by the extent of sea ice in the area.Item Status of the Tigers, co-predators, and prey in India 2010(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Qamar; Gopal, Rajesh; Sinha, P.R.This report synthesizes the results of the second countrywide assessment of the status of tigers, co-predators and their prey in India. The first assessment was done in 2006 and its results subsequently helped shape the current policy and management of tiger landscapes in India. The current report is based on data collected in 2009-2010 across all forested habitats of 17 tiger States of India with an unprecedented effort of about 477,000 man days by forest staff, and 37,000 man days by professional biologists. The results provide spatial occupancy, population limits, and abundance of tigers, habitat condition and connectivity (Fig E1). This information is crucial for incorporating conservation objectives into land use planning across landscapes so as to ensure the long term survival of free ranging tigers which serve as an umbrella species for the conservation of forest biodiversity. The study reports a countrywide increase of 20% in tiger numbers but a decline of 12.6% in tiger occupancy from connecting habitats. The methodology consisted of a double sampling approach wherein the State Forest Departments estimated occupancy and relative abundance of tigers, co-predators, and prey through sign and encounter rates in all forested areas (Phase I). Habitat characteristics were quantified using remotely sensed spatial and attribute data in a geographic information system (Phase II). A team of trained wildlife biologists then sampled a subset of these areas with approaches like mark-recapture and distance sampling to estimate absolute densities of tigers and their prey (Phase III), using the best modern technological tools (remote camera traps, GPS, laser range finders). A total effort of 81,409 trap nights yielded photo-captures of 635 unique tigers from a total camera trapped area of 11,192 km2 over 29 sites. The indices and covariate information (tiger signs, prey abundance indices, habitat characteristics) generated by Phase I & II were then calibrated against absolute densities using Generalized Linear Models (GLM) and the relationships were used for extrapolating tiger densities within landscapes. Tiger numbers were obtained for contiguous patches of occupied forests by using average densities for that population block. Numbers and densities were reported as adult tigers with a standard error range. Habitat suitability for tigers was used to model least cost pathways joining tiger populations in a GIS and alternative routes in Circuit scape. These were aligned on high-resolution satellite imagery to delineate potential habitat corridorsItem Evaluation of the functional status and quality of corridors connecting fragmented populations of tiger in the Indian part of Terai Arc landscape : Final Technical report(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Rajapandian, K.; Anwar, M.; Goyal, S.P.Most rare and critically endangered species such as tiger (Panthera tigris) exist in human dominated landscapes as small, fragmented and isolated populations in most part of its range. A prerequisite for conservation efforts and management is to identify the factors which affect the distribution and abundance of the species of interest and connectivity between populations occupying the remaining fragments. Tiger populations have dramatically declined in recent years in the Indian part of Terai Arc Landscape (TAL). This top priority landscape for tiger conservation was once continuous across the Himalayan foothills but is now highly fragmented and most of the remaining large, intact habitats are located within protected areas. As tigers cannot sustain viable populations in small habitat fragments, an assessment of potential suitable habitat and connectivity among the remaining habitat patches is required to assess possibilities to ensure the creation of a single functioning metapopulation unit for tiger. Therefore, there is a need to monitor condition of tiger’s habitat (Smith et al. 1998). The effectiveness of potential corridors depends on the quality of habitat with in the corridor, the matrix that surrounds the corridor and redundancy of the corridor network (Collinge, 1998; Haddad et al. 2003). Out of ten corridors identified in TAL (Johnsingh et al., 2004), seven corridors were taken on priority basis for understanding quality and functionality assessment. Five and two corridors exist in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh state of India, respectively. In view of understanding functionality of corridor, the objectives of this study was aimed (i) To describe the functional status (use and intensity) of the corridors with reference to tiger, (ii) To study the biological characteristics (vegetation composition, prey distribution and abundance, and disturbance status) that determines the corridor quality and (iii) To use, and to document the socioeconomic issues affecting the corridor existence and its use. Under this study, we describe basic data obtained for these seven corridors for their habitat characteristics, use by tiger and level of disturbance under Part I. This would provide base line information for comparison in future. Data analysis undertaken in Part II of this report are use of ecological modeling models to assess functionality of these corridors using remote sensing data and other aspectsItem Gajah: Securing the future for elephants in India : The report of the Elephant Task Force, MoEF(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Rangarajan, Mahesh; Desai, Ajay; Sukumar, R.; Easa, P.S.; Menon, Vivek; Vincent, S.; Ganguly, Suparna; Talukdar, B.K.; Singh, Brijendra; Mudappa, Divya; Chowdhary, Sushant; Prasad, A.N.