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Ecology and management of chital and blackbuck in Guindy National Park, Madras
... These hypotheses ignore the possible confounding effect of food availability on animal density, which can influence group size as postulated above. Seasonal densities and habitat utilization by chital in the study area were found to be closely related to seasonal changes in availability of different foods, which were in turn related to rainfall (Raman et al 1996;see below). Thus, the effect of food availability on group size needs to be examined after removing the effects of animal density on group size, if any. ...
... Besides these hypotheses, predation has been proposed as a factor influencing grouping behaviour in chital (Sharatchandra and Gadgil 1975;Mishra 1982;Khan et al 1995). This has been ignored during this study as the study area did not have any natural predators, except for a few feral dogs (Raman et al 1996). It is reasonable to assume that the level of predation played a minor role, if at all, and did not vary substantially during the study to influence grouping behaviour of chital significantly. ...
... Guindy National Park (GNP) is a 2·7 km 2 park in Madras city (13°N, 80°E). Chital were introduced in the park and occur at high densities of about 212/km 2 (estimated using line transects during 1991-92; Raman et al 1996). The natural vegetation of the park is tropical dry evergreen forest (Champion and Seth 1968), classified floristically as the Albizia amara Boiv. ...
Chital or axis deer (Axis axis) form fluid groups that change in size temporally and in relation to habitat. Predictions of hypotheses relating animal density,
rainfall, habitat structure, and breeding seasonality, to changes in chital group size were assessed simultaneously using
multiple regression models of monthly data collected over a 2 yr period in Guindy National Park, in southern India. Over 2,700
detections of chital groups were made during four seasons in three habitats (forest, scrubland and grassland). In scrubland
and grassland, chital group size was positively related to animal density, which increased with rainfall. This suggests that
in these habitats, chital density increases in relation to food availability, and group sizes increase due to higher encounter
rate and fusion of groups. The density of chital in forest was inversely related to rainfall, but positively to the number
of fruiting tree species and availability of fallen litter, their forage in this habitat. There was little change in mean
group size in the forest, although chital density more than doubled during the dry season and summer. Dispersion of food items
or the closed nature of the forest may preclude formation of larger groups. At low densities, group sizes in all three habitats
were similar. Group sizes increased with chital density in scrubland and grassland, but more rapidly in the latter—leading
to a positive relationship between openness and mean group size at higher densities. It is not clear, however, that this relationship
is solely because of the influence of habitat structure. The rutting index (monthly percentage of adult males in hard antler)
was positively related to mean group size in forest and scrubland, probably reflecting the increase in group size due to solitary
males joining with females during the rut. The fission-fusion system of group formation in chital is thus interactively influenced
by several factors. Aspects that need further study, such as interannual variability, are highlighted.
... Around the time of India's independence in 1947, these deer were released inside the 'Guindy Lodge', a wilderness area that surrounded the Raj Bhavan (Shanker, 2014). It was here that the well-known Guindy Deer Park was first established and years later, in 1978, the Guindy National Park came into existence (Raman et al., 1996). ...
... According to this study there were 825 deer inside the Guindy Deer Park (Barnard et al., 1969). The population size inside the Guindy National Park as estimated in 1991, was 482, and in 1992, it was 622 (Raman et al., 1996). ...
... The axis deer is a mid-sized deer with a shoulder height of 90 cm on average. The species is predominantly a grazer, but also consumes leaves, flowers, fruits, mushrooms, and bark (Sankar 1994;Raman et al. 1996;Sankar and Acharya 2004;Moe and Wegge 2011). It has also been seen feeding on garbage deposits in peri-urban areas (Raman et al. 1996), which hints at its wide trophic niche and adaptation potential. ...
... The species is predominantly a grazer, but also consumes leaves, flowers, fruits, mushrooms, and bark (Sankar 1994;Raman et al. 1996;Sankar and Acharya 2004;Moe and Wegge 2011). It has also been seen feeding on garbage deposits in peri-urban areas (Raman et al. 1996), which hints at its wide trophic niche and adaptation potential. ...
Ecological niche models are useful tools for predicting and managing biological invasions. However, their reliable implementation and derived applications could be biased by niche shifts among native and invaded areas and by non-equilibrium dynamics. We calculated bioclimatic niche overlap between native and invaded ranges, and tuned species distribution models trained on both the native range (native model), and the native and invasive ranges (complete model) for the axis deer (Axis axis) to assess its invasion risk potential worldwide. Our results suggest that the axis deer shifted its realized niche in some invaded areas where most of the climatic niche available was contained within the environmental conditions from the native range. We found signals of non-equilibrium dynamics between native and invaded niches due to several unfilled areas in invaded regions. The native and complete models are similar in their projection for the equatorial region but differ significantly in the tropical regions. The first fails to predict areas where the species was successfully established. This difference reinforces the idea of using all the occurrences for predicting possible invaded areas, and that invasive species can somehow shift their niche. The complete model predicted that the most climatically suitable regions for the species worldwide were in tropical and subtropical climates, particularly the Neotropics and Afrotropics. While the species has been already established in the Neotropics, it hasn’t in the latter. Therefore, our work emphasized the importance of a nuanced understanding of the potential distribution of invasive species to inform more effective management measures.
... Dry-zone afforestation is proved to be a factor influencing blackbuck' population (Ullas Karanth and Singh, 1985). A few notable studies suggested some measures from time to time for the conservation and management of blackbuck in various parts of India (Mungall et al. 1981;Ramna Rao and Prasad 1982;Prasad and Ramana Rao 1985;Oza 1988;Shankar;Raman et al. 1996;Kar 2001;Mahato et al. 2010). ...
... Dry-zone afforestation is proved to be a factor influencing blackbuck' population (Ullas Karanth and Singh, 1985). A few notable studies suggested some measures from time to time for the conservation and management of blackbuck in various parts of India (Mungall et al. 1981;Ramna Rao and Prasad 1982;Prasad and Ramana Rao 1985;Oza 1988;Shankar;Raman et al. 1996;Kar 2001;Mahato et al. 2010). ...
Indian Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra, an endemic species to Indian sub-continent, is
the only species in its genus, belongs to the subfamily Antilopinae (true antelopes) and
family Bovidae. The species was a widespread common ungulate in Indian
subcontinent during the19th century and is now locally extinct in many parts of India
owing to extensive hunting, and habitat transformation in the form of reforestation,
irrigated agriculture and urbanization. Reliable population estimation and community
perception are the fundamental needs for the management and conservation. The
present study was carried out to assess the population and farmers perception on conflict
and conservation issue of blackbuck in Brahmapur Forest division, Ganjam in Odisha
between January 2021 and March 2021. The density was estimated following line
transect distance sampling method. Through systematic observation on blackbuck herds
and solitary individuals, demographic parameters such as age-sex composition, sex
ratio, fecundity rate were assessed. Questionnaire survey was made to assess the
farmers’ perception on the conflict and conservation of blackbucks in the study sites.
Totally 35 transects covering 70 kms distance yielded 114 detections of blackbuck with
an encounter rate of 3.4 group/km. Density estimated was 43 ± 12 blackbuck/km2, 95%
confidence interval varied from 24 to 75 individuals/km2 indicating a wider interval.
Among the three ranges surveyed, Khalikote had the maximum density of blackbucks
followed by Digapahandi and Berhamour. MCDS analysis of line transect data revealed
that three covariates viz. distance to water, roads cattle influence the detectability and
density of blackbucks in the Brahmapur Forest Division. Analysis of age-sex
classification data showed that adult males accounted for 23% of population and adult
females were 50.1%. Adult sex ratio calculated to be 1:2.1
Among the 22 villages surveyed in the present study, Chikili, Sasanambagaon,
Ambgaon and Saru have recorded the maximum number of blackbucks and conflicts,
which is attributed to their close proximity to the distribution area of blackbuck. Despite
a significant damage by blackbuck to cultivated crop, majority of the farmers (75%),
still look up on the blackbucks as a holy species that bring them sufficient rain for the
crops cultivation and thus wand to conserve the species. Almost 88% of farmers do not
fence to prevent the entry for blackbucks into their cultivable lands, while only 12 %
of them use rope fences. About 90 % of farmers surveyed were expecting compensation
from forest department for the damages caused by blackbucks. Appropriate evaluation
of crop damages, subsidised seeds and fertilizers to the affected farmers are the
measures suggested for conservation of blackbuck
... In the breeding season, males present a pair of lyre-shaped 3-tine antlers, which are shed annually. Axis deer are predominantly grazers but also consume leaves, owers, fruit, mushrooms, and, sporadically, bark (Sankar 1994;Moe and Wegge 1994;Raman et al. 1996;Sankar and Acharya 2004). They can also eat rubbish in peri-urban areas (Raman et al. 1996). ...
... Axis deer are predominantly grazers but also consume leaves, owers, fruit, mushrooms, and, sporadically, bark (Sankar 1994;Moe and Wegge 1994;Raman et al. 1996;Sankar and Acharya 2004). They can also eat rubbish in peri-urban areas (Raman et al. 1996). The species is native to India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh (Grubb 2005). ...
Ecological niche models (ENM) calibrated with data from native and invaded ranges are useful tools to manage biological invasions and can be challenged by niche shifts and non-equilibrium processes. We modeled the extent of the potential invasion by the axis deer ( Axis axis ) worldwide, testing the reciprocal hypotheses of niche conservatism and shift. We quantified niche overlap on the multivariate climatic space and modeled climatic realized niche based on detailed field information. We showed that the axis deer shifted its realized niche after the invasion. We rejected the niche equivalency hypothesis. Most of the climatic niche available in invaded areas is contained in the native climatic niche. Non-equilibrium between native and invasive niches of the axis deer was confirmed due to a large number of unfilled areas in invaded regions. Our projections predict that the most significant regions suitable for the axis deer are located in tropical and subtropical climates around the equator and the southern hemisphere, mostly in the Neotropics.
... The species is mainly seen in open grassland habitat, where shortgrass is predominantly available (Prater 1948;Baskaran et al. 2016). The species prefers large, open habitat with fewer trees to scrubland, as it enables its social activities, early predator detection and ease of escape (Ranjitsinh 1989;Raman 1996;Jhala 1997). When the habitat is heterogenous, its group size decreases in number (Isvaran 2007). ...
... Acacia planifrons and Tamarindus indica, while the understory is constituted of shrubs such as Randia sp., Glycosmis spp. and Carissa spinarum (Raman 1996;Rajasekhar 1992). The reserve also experiences the proliferation of Prosopis juliflora, mostly on its western side. ...
Baseline data on intrinsic–extrinsic determinants of spatial distribution of flagship species helps wildlife managers develop their management strategies. Globally, large herbivores are in range contraction due to the expansion of human habitation. Of late, alien invasion is raising management concerns due to its detrimental effect on native biota. This study evaluating the determinants of spatial detectability and density distribution of blackbuck Antilope cervicapra, an endemic species of the Indian subcontinent, demonstrates the negative influence of Prosopis juliflora, an alien invasive, on the native blackbuck at three reserves—Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, Guindy National Park and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India. Using distance sampling technique, the study has surveyed blackbuck from 26 grid-based, spatially replicated line-transects between January 2018 and July 2019. Furthermore, 27 covariates related to climate, habitat and anthropogenic pressure were evaluated to determine their effect on spatial detectability and density distribution. Regression by Empirical Variable Selection showed that blackbuck spatial detectability and density distribution increase significantly with the extent of grassland, habitat openness and grass biomass, but decreases with Prosopis cover, shrub cover, percentage of woodland and distance to water, thus revealing their negative effect on the blackbuck. Besides, the Prosopis cover also decreases significantly the key positive predictors of the density distribution of blackbuck, namely the extent of grassland, habitat openness and grass productivity. Thus, the study concludes that the alien invasive species has a negative effect on the native blackbuck population. This raises the need for controlling or eliminating the invasive species in order to conserve, in the long run, the endemic blackbuck at the three reserves.
... 2 ) 'island' of suitable habitat with relatively low livestock grazing (due to restricted availability of drinking water for livestock), surrounded by habitats that undergo considerably high disturbance and livestock grazing. However, even on the plateau, the gazelle population has continued to decline over the past decade (Bhatnagar et al. 2006a). In 1996, Pfister (2004 had observed sixty-eight gazelles on the plateau, while Chundawat and Qureshi (1999) reported c. forty individuals 2 years later. A severe winter in the following year (1998-99) led to high mortality of livestock as well as wild ungulates, including the kiang Equus kiang (Bhatnagar and Wangchuk 2001 ). The sparse forage i ...
... Supplemental feeding of gazelles in winter is one of the options for removing the risk of starvation-related mortality. However, gazelles and small antelopes have been reported to often reject provisioned fodder (Raman et al. 1996 ). The Tibetan gazelle in Kalak Tartar rejected most of the c. 8 tons of alfalfa provisioned by the local wildlife department during the winter of 2004-05. ...
"Tibetan gazelle Procapra picticaudata is endemic to the Tibetan plateau. During the early twentieth century, it was distributed over a range of c. 20,000 km2 in Ladakh, India. Although its conservation status is believed to be secure, our surveys initiated in 2000 found that the gazelles population in Ladakh has undergone a precipitous decline. Today, c. fifty individuals survive precariously in an area of c. 100 km2 in eastern Ladakh. Population declines have also been reported from Tibet, which remains its stronghold. Local extinction of the gazelle in Ladakh is imminent unless active population and habitat management are undertaken. Management measures, however, are stymied by the lack of understanding of the gazelles ecology and the causes for its decline. Our recent studies in Ladakh establish that past hunting, particularly in the aftermath of the Sino-Indian war in 1962, and continued disturbance and habitat degradation associated with excessive livestock grazing are the main anthropogenic factors that caused the gazelles decline. Our studies have also generated an understanding of the important biotic and abiotic habitat correlates of the gazelles distribution, and the land use and socio-economy of pastoral communities that share the gazelles range. We review these findings, and based on our research results, outline a species recovery strategy for the Tibetan gazelle."
... Notwithstanding, Prosopis is a significant threat to these habitats, particularly coastal grasslands and some salt-tolerant tropical dry evergreen forest species (Arandhara et al. 2021;Prabhadevi and Reddy 2012). The blackbuck habitat has been impacted by Prosopis expansion into the coastal grasslands because blackbuck mostly favours wideopen habitats with more irregular trees to scrubland compared to the dense forest (Arandhara et al. 2021;Raman 1996). On the other hand, mangroves on the western side of the PCRS are home to various indigenous plants and animals (https:// rsis. ...
Coastal wetland ecosystems support a wide range of native species; however, they are currently threatened by invasive plant species. The Point Calimere Ramsar Site, located in India, contains coastal tropical dry evergreen forests, coastal grasslands, and mangroves that are now threatened by the invasion of Prosopis species. Consequently, several birds, mammals, and amphibians that depend on these habitats are also at risk. Therefore, tracking and monitoring invasive species is required for restoring wetland ecosystems and preventing further invasions. The present study investigated multi-season Sentinel-2 Spectral Temporal Metrics (STM) for mapping coastal native and non-native vegetation communities using summer, monsoon, and post-monsoon season datasets with Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. The results show that a combination of summer and post-monsoon Sentinel-2 spectral-temporal metrics produced the best accuracy (Overall accuracy—94%) for mapping Prosopis, tropical dry evergreen forests, and coastal grasslands, while the monsoon dataset produced the best results for mapping mangroves. However, the entire season’s spectral temporal metrics produced the best average results for all land cover classes. We also analyzed the distribution and fragmentation of Prosopis in the various landscapes of the Ramsar site using Fragstats. Our findings showed that Prosopis is extensively distributed in the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, posing a significant threat to the wildlife that resides there. We anticipate that our map will be used for the ongoing Prosopis clearance in our study site, and our study provides a comprehensive application for monitoring Prosopis and native vegetation in coastal tropical wetland habitats using Sentinel-2 STM.
... However, it's important to acknowledge that some studies have reported similar and even higher densities of chital. According to Raman et al. (1996), who conducted a line transect survey in Guindy National Park (GNP), found the deer density of 185.4/km² (±29.3/km², 95% confidence interval) in 1991, and 239.2/km² (±37.2/km², ...
The chital, Axis axis, constitutes one of Nepal's six deer species and maintains a closed population within the forest of the Institute of Forestry, Hetauda Campus. Presently, the chital population faces a range of challenges, prompting a comprehensive study encompassing population status, habitat preference analysis, and threat assessment. We utilized the pellet group count method on 74 systematic random sample plots (4×4m) within a 100×100 m grid for population estimation. Pellet presence/absence in predetermined habitat characteristics was analyzed to assess habitat preferences. Concurrently, a relative threat ranking method from household interviews was employed to evaluate existing threats. The study revealed a total chital population estimate of approximately 141 individuals, with a population density of 190 individuals per km 2. Their habitat preference showed an affinity towards areas abundant in Sal and riverine forests, along with an inclination towards locations further from roads within the forested areas. Primary threats to the chital population encompassed attacks from feral dogs, illegal hunting, and habitat degradation mainly due to invasive alien plant species. This study shows that with effective management of the feral dogs, mitigation strategy to control illegal hunting with the help of local authorities, and improving the habitat conditions concerning their preferences, the chital population has the potential to continue growing in the coming years.
... Groups may number up to 150 or more individuals, with a composition that changes frequently during feeding periods and in flight from potential predators (Dinerstein, 1980). In their natural distribution they can be found at densities ranging up to 200 animals per km² in protected areas practically free of predators and livestock (Raman et al., 1996). In a day, the periods when they are most active are usually during dawn and dusk, which are characterized by peaks in feeding activity (Álvarez-Romero et al., 2008). ...
Resumen. El ciervo axis o chital es nativo del subcontinente indio. Es una especie generalista de hábitat que evita ambientes extremos. Su sistema digestivo es de un consumidor intermedio y se alimenta de gran variedad de plantas, principalmente pasturas. Puede formar grupos de más de 150 individuos y alcanzar altas densidades en áreas protegidas libres de ganado y depredadores. Fue introducido en Uruguay con fines cinegéticos y desde allí se translocaron individuos a la provincia de Buenos Aires, donde se expandió asociado a montes de tala (Celtis ehrenbergiana) próximos a la Bahía Samborombón. Desde Uruguay habrían cruzado a Entre Ríos (Argentina), y se expandieron por prácticamente toda de la provincia llegando a la provincia de Corrientes y al bajo delta bonaerense del Río Paraná. También se translocaron individuos a la provincia de Santa Fe y a los Esteros del Iberá en Corrientes, desde donde se han expandido y formado poblaciones silvestres. En Argentina se ha observado que producen daño sobre la flora nativa y plantaciones forestales. Puede competir con el ganado, tanto de forma comportamental como por el uso de recursos alimenticios. A su vez es vector de enfermedades bovinas como la Diarrea Viral Bovina. Posee además parásitos que podrían afectar a la fauna nativa y a la salud humana. Las medidas de control han sido escasas hasta el momento y focalizadas en áreas protegidas, principalmente en el Parque Nacional El Palmar.
... Baiting is frequently used to alter behavior of wildlife for desirable outcomes such as increasing harvest success, facilitating population control [1][2][3][4], enhancing wildlife viewing opportunities, increasing detection rates for camera surveys [5,6], and improving capture rates in research efforts [7,8]. However, baiting wildlife can produce undesirable outcomes such as trophic cascades [9], inter-and intra-specific competition [10,11], and increased risk of disease transmission [12][13][14][15]. Many of the negative effects associated with baiting result from altered movement patterns [16][17][18][19] which concentrate wildlife at higher densities. ...
Simple Summary
Bait is often used to attract wildlife to enhance viewing opportunities, increase harvest rates, or to improve population survey methods for research and management purposes. However, baiting wildlife can alter animal behavior, leading to negative outcomes such as increased disease transmission, competition, and susceptibility to predation. Our objectives were to determine the effects of short-term baiting on male white-tailed deer behavior and distributions within several properties in southwestern Georgia, USA. We used cameras at baited and unbaited locations to assess the impacts of bait on deer space use within home ranges and to determine whether bait caused shifts in the distribution of home ranges during summer and winter surveys. We found little evidence that short-term baiting affected the distributions of home ranges on the landscape; however, we found evidence that space use within home ranges was affected by bait. By concentrating deer space use within seasonal home ranges, bait may enhance disease transmission and change harvest susceptibility.
Abstract
Bait is often used to increase wildlife harvest susceptibility, enhance viewing opportunities, and survey wildlife populations. The effects of baiting depend on how bait influences space use and resource selection at multiple spatial scales. Although telemetry studies allow for inferences about resource selection within home ranges (third-order selection), they provide limited information about spatial variation in density, which is the result of second-order selection. Recent advances in spatial capture-recapture (SCR) techniques allow exploration of second- and third-order selection simultaneously using non-invasive methods such as camera traps. Our objectives were to describe how short-term baiting affects white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) behavior and distribution. We fit SCR models to camera data from baited and unbaited locations in southwestern Georgia to assess the effects of short-term baiting on second- and third-order selection of deer during summer and winter surveys. We found little evidence of second-order selection during late summer or early winter surveys when camera surveys using bait are typically conducted. However, we found evidence for third-order selection, indicating that resource selection within home ranges is affected. Concentrations in space use resulting from baiting may enhance disease transmission, change harvest susceptibility, and potentially bias the outcome of camera surveys using bait.
... This study computed crude density of118.6 deer/km 2 . Raman et al. (1996) recorded density of 212.3 deer/km 2 in Guindy National Park, India. Spotted Deer prefers ecotonal region between the forests and the grass patch and avoid hilly terrain (Mitra 1990). ...
The population status of spotted deer was studied in Baghmara Buffer Zone Community Forest (BBZCF) during different four seasons of 2012- 13. Population status was determined by direct count method at the time of its active movement in the morning and early evening. A total of 255 individuals of spotted deer were counted with a crude density of 118.6 deer/km2. Male to female sex ratio varied seasonally (summer-1: 2.2, rainy- 1: 2.22, autumn- 1: 2.15 and in winter- 1: 2.50). The average sex ratio of males to females was computed as 44.47:100. The largest herd of 41 individuals was observed in summer. The average herd size was 13.49. We used Kruskal-Wallis Rank Sum test to find the significant difference in mean population distribution due to seasons and blocks. There was no significant difference in mean population distribution due to seasons (χ2=0.7624, df=3, P=0.8584) but significant differences was found in mean population distribution due to blocks (χ2=52.7534, df=13, P=0.000000997).
... early summer (Prater, 1971;Graf and Nicholas, 1966;Schaller, 1967;Sharatchandra and Gadgil, 1975;Mishra, 1982). Most fawning is seen in winter and early summer (Srinivasulu, 2001;Raman et. al, 1996;Raman, 1998;Ramesh et. al., 2013;Tak and Lamba, 1984;Graf and Nicholas, 1966;Schaller, 1967;Sharatchandra and Gadgil, 1975;Mishra, 1982;Johansingh, 1983;Dinerstein, 1980;De and Spillet, 1966;Eisenberg and Lockhart, 1972) and rarely in monsoon (Chandra, 2013). This study enhances knowledge about antler codition and group size relation wit ...
Study of Group size, age and sex composition of Chital (Axis axis) in Mukandra Hills
Tiger Reserve (MHTR), India was conducted during mid June 2018 and mid October
2018. Animal behavior is influenced by Group Size and Age-Sex Composition of the
Chital herd. Road transects were monitored monthly to gather information on above
parameters of Chital in MHTR. Mean group size for Chital was 13.95 ± 3.89 (N=248)
during Monsoon in MHTR. Male, female and fawn ratio in MHTR was 43.60: 100:
63.02 (N=3459). Male and fawn influenced group size. Antler condition of Chital in
MHTR represents Early Monsoon season as breeding season of the Chital population
along with summer. In study area majority of Chital males were seen in hard antlered
condition (62.74%) in Monsoon season, whereas some Chital males were seen in
velvet (18.77%) and shed (18.49%) antlered conditions.
... This is probably due to the enclosed nature of the park and the very high potential prey density. The density of Chital is also very high, though lower than Guindy National Park (GNP) having an area of 2.7km 2 (Raman et al. 1995) which showed a higher density of chital 185.4 per km 2 (in 1991) and 239.2 per km 2 (in 1992) and blackbuck of 19.6 per km 2 (in 1991) and 15.3 per km 2 (in 1992). In GNP, Chital and Blackbuck are maintained during summers by artificial feed, i.e., Paragrass Bracharia mutica and during other seasons they are sustained by natural forage. ...
We estimated densities of Golden Jackals and five ungulate species in Van Vihar National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is an enclosed area of about 4.45km², out of which 3.5km² is available for free ranging animals. Twenty-six transects with a combined length of 22.6km and an effort of 50.2km were walked. A total of 1079 animal detections belonging to six different species were made. The density of jackals was (17±3.8SE)/km2. Among the ungulates, chital had the highest density (118±18.8SE)/km2 followed by Sambar (34.1±6.9 SE)/km2, Nilgai (13.1±2.8SE)/km2, Blackbuck (6.6±1.5 SE)/km2 and Wild Pig (3.7±0.8 SE)/km2. The ungulate biomass was found to be (12979.2±2463.26 SE)kg/km2. Chital biomass was the highest at (5574.2±886.58 SE)kg/km2, followed by Sambar biomass of (4569.4±913.75 SE)kg/km2, Nilgai (2358±523.24 SE)kg/km2, Blackbuck (211.2±66.18 SE)kg/km2 and Wild Pig (118.4±28.37 SE)kg/km2. The sex ratio was calculated and most ungulates had female-biased adult sex ratio.
... , and has occupied prime blackbuck habitats. It is interesting to note that historically populations of blackbuck have declined even in a small reserve (Guindy National Park, Chennai) possibly due to change in vegetation from open to dense habitats27 . However, the VBS does not show any decline in the number of blackbucks from the available records, since the number of blackbucks reported in 1989 (ref.8) is comparable to the total count done on the eastern fallow of a maximum of 24 individuals. ...
The Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary (VBS), Tamil Nadu, India is a small protected area (PA) designated to conserve blackbuck. We did a study on habitat use and suitability in the PA that has come under various management interventions. The occupancy of blackbuck was positively correlated with areas lying within the PA, but the encounter rate of blackbuck was significantly higher in areas outside the PA. Being small in size, VBS may not hold a large population of blackbucks, but may help in saving the species which once widely occurred in the southernmost parts of India.
... However in another area, Guindy National Park (Fig. 1), Raman (1998) observed distinct age-specific antler cycles. Raman (1998) suggested that these age-specific patterns were due to the particularly high density of chital in that area (212.3 individuals/km 2 ; Raman et al. 1996), and may be determined ontogenetically. In our study area the chital density was obviously lower (43.8±10.7/km 2 ; Ramesh et al. 2012a). ...
Antler cycles are convenient external signs indicating internal changes in reproductive status of male deer. Antler phenology of chital (Axis axis) and sambar (Rusa unicolor) were studied in a deciduous habitat of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats, using vehicle transects for 2 successive years. Apparent breeding seasonality occurred with the majority of adult stags in hard antlers from May to mid October in chital (>87 %), and October to May in sambar (>68 %). Adult hard antler in chital correlated with mean group size, while sambar showed a weak correlation between adult hard antler and group size. Chitals prefer forming large groups at forest edges and open habitats while sambars prefer dense vegetation cover. Adult hard antlers in chital and sambar showed a weak relation to fawning since most adult females were in oestrus during the peak rutting season. Adult hard antlers in chital associated positively with rainfall and day length while sambar responded weakly to rainfall. We conclude that environmental variables determined species-specific mating strategies in the two deer species.
... Distance sampling, and line transect sampling in particular, is practical, efficient and relatively inexpensive method for sampling many biological populations. This method has been successfully used to estimate ungulate densities within the Indian sub-continent Sunquist 1992, 1995;Varman and Sukumar 1995, Khan et al. 1996, Raman et al. 1996, Karanth and Nichols 1998. The Line Transect method has also been used to estimate primate densities (Brockelman and Ali 1987). ...
... In view of the urgent need for using statistically and biologically robust methods, only a few recent studies (Karanth & Sunquist, 1992;Varman & Sukumar, 1995;Khan et al., 1996;Raman, Menon & Sukumar, 1996;Karanth & Nichols, 1998Ahrestani, 1999; N. S. Biswas & Sankar, 2002) have used methods rooted in distance sampling theory and analytical procedures (Burnham, Anderson & Laake, 1980;Buckland et al., 1993Buckland et al., , 2001 and attempted to generate more reliable estimates of herbivore densities in Indian forests. ...
Ecological densities of large herbivores were estimated using the line transect method in the tropical moist forests of Bhadra Tiger Reserve, southern India, during November 2000. The species of interest were chital Axis axis, sambar Cervus unicolor, muntjac Muntiacus muntjak, gaur Bos gaurus and Hanuman langur Presbytes entellus. Six permanent transects, ranging from 2.6 to 3.6 km (totalling 18.2 km) were each walked 26 times. A total of 473 km were walked during the surveys. Numbers of detections were generally low (51, 25, 68, 17 and 302 for chital, sambar, muntjac, gaur and langur, respectively). Mean estimated densities of different species were[D (± SE)]: 4.51 (±1.05) chital km−2, 0.89 (±0.23) sambar km−2, 3.64 (±0.63) muntjac km−2, 1.48 (±0.63) gaur km−2 and 22.62 (±2.64) langur km−2. Possible shortcomings of our estimates are considered and suggestions made for improving future surveys. A comparison with densities estimated for these species in other well-protected parks showed that the chital, gaur and sambar densities in Bhadra were extremely low. The main causal factors for these low densities seem to be poaching and livestock grazing.
... However, supplemental feeding of wildlife has also been shown to result in detrimental changes, compromising the delicate ecological balance for specific species and certain areas. For example, food provisioning had a negative impact on the endangered Blackbuck in Madras by increasing the numbers of its competitors (Raman, Menon, & Sukumar, 1996). It is also possible that supplemental feeding of predators could decrease the predation pressure on natural prey, and thus influence the ecological balance in a community, by creating artificially inflated populations of certain prey species. ...
The feeding of wildlife has become a popular means by which tourists and tourism operators can facilitate close observation and interaction with wildlife in the wild. These practices are widespread and have a variety of impacts on the wildlife—and on the tourists. Deliberate and long-term provision of food to wildlife has been shown to alter natural behaviour patterns and population levels. It has also resulted in the dependency of animals on the human provided food and their habituation to human contact. Intra- and inter-species aggression has also occurred where wildlife, in their efforts to obtain food, have harmed one another and harmed tourists. There are also important health implications arising from artificial food sources where injury and disease have resulted. While the great majority of cases show negative impacts arising from supplemental feeding of wildlife, this is not always the case. Certainly there are psychological, social and economic benefits that are experienced on the human side of the interaction and, in a limited number of cases, the wildlife can be shown to have benefited as well. The issue of feeding wildlife for tourism is a controversial one with little consensus regarding how it should be managed. Approaches range from complete prohibition, to active promotion and management, to simply ignoring the practices. Little empirical research, inconsistent management and differing views of the role of animals in humans’ lives ensure that this issue will remain a contentious one worthy of further examination and consideration.
... occurring in the forest made it difficult. There is considerable variation in the adult sex ratio of chital (Raman et al. 1996). ...
... However, during the winter of 2005-06 a similar amount of fodder was provided that was used by kiangs and some gazelle (Angchuk, Range Officer, pers comm.). Gazelles and small antelopes have been reported to often reject provisioned fodder (see Raman et al. 1996). In the case of the Tibetan gazelle, the non-use of provisioned fodder may also have been due to inappropriate placement of the fodder. ...
... However, during the winter of 2005-06 a similar amount of fodder was provided that was used by kiangs and some gazelle (Angchuk, Range Officer, pers comm.). Gazelles and small antelopes have been reported to often reject provisioned fodder (see Raman et al. 1996). In the case of the Tibetan gazelle, the non-use of provisioned fodder may also have been due to inappropriate placement of the fodder. ...
The Tibetan gazelle Procapra picticaudata is endemic to the Tibetan plateau. In the Ladakh region of northern India its range declined from c. 20,000 km2 in the early 1900s to c. 1,000 km2 in the late 1980s. Here we report the results of our recent (1999¿2003) assessments of the gazelle¿s conservation status in Ladakh. Rangewide surveys indicate that the present population of the Tibetan gazelle in Ladakh is c. 50, restricted to a range of c. 100 km2. Populations in the Tso Kar basin and Dungti have gone extinct within the past decade. Throughout the last century hunting was the primary cause of the gazelle¿s decline. Although hunting has been brought under control in the last two decades, intensified livestock grazing appears to have prevented the gazelle¿s recovery and may be precipitating further declines. The species needs immediate, participatory conservation management, as well as a reassessment of its IUCN Red List status.
Yaban hayatı tüm doğal zenginlikler gibi iklim değişikliği ve buna bağlı olarak habitat bozulmalarının bir sonucu olarak hızla zarar görmekte ve tehlikeye düşmektedir. Habitat bozulmaları yuvalanma, barınma ve gizlenme gibi yaşam alanı daralmalarının yanında yaban havanlarının en temel gereksinimi olan besin ihtiyacını da önemli ölçüde etkilemektedir. Yaban hayvanları yaşamlarını en iyi şekilde sürdürebilmek, gelecek nesillere güçlü bireyler yetiştirmek için dengeli ve sağlıklı bir beslenmeye ihtiyaç duyarlar. Ancak gerek farklı etkiler soncu meydana gelen habitat bozulmaları gerekse de iklime bağlı değişiklikler türlerin besin bulmasında zorluk çekmelerine sebep olmaktadır. Bu noktada yaban hayatı yöneticileri ya da bireyler yaban hayvanlarını besleme yöntemine giderek onların bu zorlu dönemi en düşük zarar ile atlatmalarına yardımcı olmaya çalışmaktadırlar. Ancak yaban hayatı beslenmesine artan ilgi bu destinasyonu zaman içinde rekreasyon temelli bir sektör haline getirmeye başlamıştır. Yaban hayatı turizm olarak bilinen bu sektör günümüzde çok tercih edilen bir rekreasyon şekli olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Ancak bu aktiviteye artan iliği beraberinde yaban hayatını belirgin olarak etkileyen sonuçlara sebep olmuştur. Bu çalışmada yaban hayatı beslemesinin yaban hayatı üzerine olan olumlu ve olumsuz etkilerinin neler olduğu, dünyada ve ülkemizde yaban hayatı beslemesinin hangi boyutlarda olduğu mevcut çalışmalar araştırılarak ortaya konmuştur.
The earliest cetaceans were interpreted as semi-aquatic based on the presence of thickened bones and stable oxygen isotopes in tooth enamel. However, the origin of aquatic behaviors in cetacean relatives (e.g., raoellids, anthracotheres) remains unclear. This study reconstructs the origins of aquatic behaviors based on long bone microanatomy and stable oxygen isotopes of tooth enamel in modern and extinct cetartiodactylans. Our findings are congruent with published accounts that microanatomy can be a reliable indicator of aquatic behaviors in taxa that are obligatorily aquatic, and also highlight that some “semi-aquatic” behaviors (fleeing into the water to escape predation) may have a stronger relationship to bone microanatomy than others (herbivory in near-shore aquatic settings). Bone microanatomy is best considered with other lines of information in the land-to-sea transition of cetaceans, such as stable isotopes. This study extends our understanding of the progression of skeletal phenotypes associated with habitat shifts in the relatives of cetaceans.
The long-term sustainability of wildlife tourism depends on integrating visitor demands with resource management, requiring an understanding of tourist motivation. Managing the conflict between access to the animals and welfare, however, may diminish the experience for tourists. This paper identifies trade-offs tourists are willing to make between access and animal welfare, associated with feeding habituated bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in Monkey Mia, Western Australia. Using a choice modelling technique, we were able to determine monetary values of visitor experiences. Compared to the current guaranteed interaction with dolphins (and a daily resort entrance fee), respondents were willing to pay significantly higher hypothetical entrance fees to avoid a decrease in proximity to, or probability of, the dolphin interaction. However, negative impacts on dolphin welfare had a negative impact on visitor utility. Over 80% of visitors (n = 244) accepted management regulations resulting in decreased time with and proximity to dolphins, if those addressed welfare concerns and were communicated clearly. Thus, while visitors placed the greatest value on the proximity and predictability, they were willing to trade off these aspects if they improved dolphin welfare. We provide management suggestions based on these results.
Impacts of livestock grazing on blackbuck at Blackbuck Conservation Area, BCA; Bardia was studied by direct field visit, biomass removal and stool sampling and microscopic observation method. The major livestock grazed were buffaloes and cows. The livestock grazing was found to interfere the black buck in their daily activities and impact the black buck by removing the biomass from their grazing fallow. The chances of occurrence and transmission of the gastrointestinal parasites was found to be very high. The livestock grazing in BCA needs to be regulated for the long term survival of endangered and protected blackbuck species of Nepal.
A total of 32 chital herds comprising 383 individuals with a maximum herd size of 12 were sighted in the Nallamala Hills. Sex ratio varied seasonally. More bucks associated with groups during winter. Chital on the Nallamala hills tends to be in smaller herds of two to five individuals (68% of the total groups sighted), that were more common during summer and winter seasons. The apparent seasonal variation in the herd composition and sex ratio was due to behavioural modifications.
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