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    Monitoring of Re-introduced tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan - Phase II
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Nigam, Parag; Habib, Bilal; Sankar, K.; Qureshi, Q.; Mandal, D.; Sengupta, D.; Malik, P.K.
    The reintroduction being an intensive process required timely scientific inputs. The Wildlife Institute of India was bestowed with a responsibility of monitoring the reintroduced population with support of the National Tiger Conservation Authority since reintroduction. The animals gradually settled in Sariska, however did not breed for the first four years probably due to high stress levels and lack of inviolate space (Sankar et aI., 2013). High stress levels among the reintroduced tigers was observed due to the prevailing disturbance in Sariska (Bhattacharjee et aI., 2013). The first record of animal breeding was of ST2 in 2012. Village relocation process to create inviolate space for tiger breeding was also initiated simultaneously. A total of 565 Gujjar pastoralist families were relocated from six villages. The reintroduced population was continuously monitored over the years as part of the collaborative initiative between Rajasthan Forest Department, Wildlife Institute of India and National Tiger Conservation Authority. The report of the Phase I (2008-13) and the extended period (2013-15) were duly submitted. The Phase II of the project was initiated in 2015 to primarily study the response of reintroduced tigers and their prey to village relocation efforts and to explore the future population management. The objective of the Phase II were as follows: i. To study the home range and dispersal patterns of the re-introduced tigers and cubs with respect to relocated villages ii. To assess the habitat use by the re-introduced tigers and cubs with respect to relocated villages iii. To study the food habits of the re-introduced tigers iv. To estimate the population of the prey species v. To suggest management recommendations for effective conservation of tigers in the Tiger Reserve The findings of the influence of village relocation on tiger and prey population, and future management scope have been provided in the Annual Progress Report (2015 -16). Findings on the ranging pattern of tigers, factors influencing breeding of tigers, diet, temporal activity, and an update on the age-sex pattern of the tiger population for active population management in Sariska were presented in the annual report (2016 - 17). Here, we summarize our project findings to formulate conservation strategies for long term survival of Sariska's tiger population.
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    Monitoring tiger and its prey in Chilla range, Rajaji National Park, Uttaranchal, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2006) Harihar, Abhishek; Pandav, Bivash; Goyal, S.P.
    The Rajaji National Park along with the adjoining Corbett Tiger Reserve forms the north-western limit for the distribution of the Tiger and Elephant in the Indian Subcontinent. Most parts of this landscape are under anthropogenic influence. Following the notification of the earlier sanctuaries (Rajaji, Motichur & Chilla) to a National Park (Rajaji National Park) in 1983, voluntary relocation of human (Gujjar community) settlements is underway (since 2002). The Chilla Range of Rajaji National Park is presently void of human settlements (Gujjars) and is showing very healthy resurgence of vegetation indicating promising signs of recovery with respect to utilization of the area by wildlife. This study carried out across two years (2004- 2005 to 2005-2006) aimed at monitoring the tiger population within Chilla range following a human resettlement program. Photographic capture-recapture analysis (450 trap nights each year) was used to estimate the density of tigers. Ecological density of wild ungulate prey species was estimated using line transects in conjunction with distance sampling. A total of nine permanent transects were laid and sampled eight times each, every year (102.8 km of walk each year). Food habits of tiger were determined by analysing field collected scats. Our results indicated that Chilla range supports a high ungulate prey density (76.5 individuals km-2 in 2005; 70.98 individuals km-2 in 2006) and has the highest reported sambar density (25.67 individuals km-2 in 2005; 24.69 individuals km-2 in 2006). Though we photographed 12 different individuals during our study (2004-06), the tiger density was found to be low (3.01 tigers 100km-2 in 2005; 2.54 tigers 100km-2 in 2006). The current wild prey biomass off take by tigers was estimated to be 2.78%. However, a predicted ~14 tigers 100km-2 can be supported within Chilla range given a 10% biomass off take (following the model developed by Karanth et al., 2004b). Past anthropogenic pressures have probably caused a downward trend in the tiger densities. From the photographs obtained during this study, it is clear that tigers are breeding in Chilla range. Given adequate protection Chilla can serve as a major source population from where tigers will breed and disperse into neighbouring forests within the Shivalik landscape. A continuous monitoring program is envisaged to document this recovery of predators, prey and their habitat