Habitat Preference of Sambar (Cervus unicolor) in Rajaji National Park

Abstract

A study on the habitat use by sambar in the Rajaji National Park was carried out from November 1990 to April 1991. Data was collected on the vegetation, habitat use and abundance of sambar. Habitat preferences were studied using the utilization availability technique and animal abundances using the King census method. The major results regarding vegetation studies were: 1. Nine vegetation types (VT) were recognized in the study area based on their broad association and physiognomy as: the plains sal forests (SF), plains mixed forest plantation (MFP), mixed forests (MF), mixed forest, riverain (MFR), mixed forests slope (MFS), mixed forest shady valley (MFSV), mixed forest grassy slopes (MFSG), mixed forest slope with sal (MFSS) and sal forest slope (SFS). 2. The dominant tree, shrub and grass species and their abundances for each VT are presented. 3. The hills on the whole had a greater proportion of palatable tree species with branches accessible to sambar. They also had a greater diversity of forage and cover providing shrubs. The major results of the preference analysis were: 1. Sambar shows preference for MFS during both seasons (November to Mid February-winter and Mid February to April-Spring/summer).2. Low to moderate tree and shrub covers are preferred during both seasons. Higher grass cover categories are preferred by sambar during both seasons. 3. Lopped areas show avoidance mainly during summers. The major results of the sambar abundance were: 1. Sambar density for the 10 transects, representing hills and plains and varied levels of disturbance are presented.2. Sambar density during both seasons was higher in the hills.3. The sambar density does not significantly vary between the hill, disturbed and hill relatively undisturbed transects during both the seasons.