Krishnendu Mondal

Prey selection and food habits of leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, India

No abstract available

Factors influencing the distribution of leopard in a semiarid landscape of Western India

Previously, factors governing distribution of leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in forest habitats of the Indian subcontinent were unknown. The present study assessed the influence of different ecogeographic variables determining the distribution of leopards in and around Sariska Tiger Reserve through MaxEnt habitat suitability model based on camera trapping method. Camera trapping was used to collect presence/absence information in the study area from December 2008 to June 2010. Information of 11 macrohabitat characteristics and variables (habitat types, prey species, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), elevation, livestock, village, water source, etc.) were collected along with leopard presence data. The probability of presence of leopards increased with decreasing distance to water and increasing encounter rate of peafowl (Pavo cristatus), chital (Axis axis), sambar (Rusa unicolor), and wild pig (Sus scrofa). It was found that the probability of presence of leopards increased with increasing area of Zizyphus mixed forest patches and NDVI. Results of this study showed that the probability of presence of leopards was higher in habitat types with intermediate cover, high wild prey base, and water sources. They also indicated that leopards are not always ‘generalists’ showing some degree of specialization, at least in their choice of habitat, and this information is useful for conserving leopard in human-dominated landscapes.

Prey selection, food habits and dietary overlap between leopard Panthera pardus (Mammalia: Carnivora) and re-introduced tiger Panthera tigris (Mammalia: Carnivora) in a semi-arid forest of Sariska Tiger Reserve, Western India

Abstract After the extermination of tigers in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Western India in 2004, three tigers were re-introduced in Sariska during 2008–2009. The present study examined the prey selection and dietary overlap between leopard and tiger after re-introduction of tiger in the study area. Scat analysis revealed the presence of nine prey species in leopard scat (n = 90 scats) and five prey species in tiger scats (n = 103 scats). Percentage frequency of occurrence of sambar (45.5%) was found to be the highest followed by chital (15.2%) > nilgai (8.9%) > cattle (7.1%) > common langur (6.3%) > peafowl (6.3%) > rodent (5.4%) > wild pig (2.7%) and hare (2.7%) in leopard diet. In the diet of tiger, sambar contributed maximum (41.7%) followed by chital (26.2%), cattle (19.4%), nilgai (10.7%) and common langur (1.9%). The present study revealed that both the predator utilized and preferred prey species in similar way, though there was difference in selection of prey species in terms of sex and age class as observed by kill records. The dietary overlap between leopard and tiger was found to be 94%. The results suggested considerable overlap between the two carnivores along diet axis.

Home Range, Habitat Use and Food Habits of Re-Introduced Gaur (Bos Gaurus Gaurus) in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Central India

Gaur, which became locally extinct before 1995 in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR), Central India, is an endangered animal per Schedule - I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972). A re-introduction program was therefore created to rebuild the gaur population in BTR, both to enhance the long-term survival of the species and to restore natural biodiversity. After re-introduction, the home range, habitat use and food habits of gaur (Bos gaurus gaurus) were studied in BTR, India, from January 2011 to January 2012. Nineteen gaurs (five males - three radio-collared and 14 females - nine radio-collared) were re-introduced from Kanha Tiger Reserve to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in January 2011. The reintroduced gaurs were monitored periodically through ground tracking and satellite GPS fixes. The mean annual group size of gaur was estimated at 7.3 ± 0.76 (SE). The overall estimated summer, monsoon and winter home ranges of gaur were 290 km2, 137 km2 and 155 km2 (Minimum Convex Polygon) respectively. The overall individual male home ranges varied from 135 to 142 km2, and overall individual female home ranges varied from 32 to 169 km2. Radio collared locations were plotted on a classified (LISS III) habitat map of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve to evaluate the habitat use and availability in each season. Habitat preference was computed using Bonferroni confidence interval method, compositional analysis and Ivlevs index. In summer, gaur largely preferred grassland (P<0.0001), whereas in monsoon and winter, gaur preferred bamboo mixed forest (P<0.0001). Gaur avoi ded open mixed forest (P<0.0001) and agricultural land in all three seasons. Data on food habits were collected through opportunistic sightings. In total, gaur fed on 68 plant species. The present study has reported first-time information on ranging patterns of reintroduced gaur and their degree of preferences for different vegetation and terrain types across seasons, which will be very useful to the park administration for future conservation of this endangered species and for habitat intervention.

Status, Distribution and Conservation of Leopard Panthera pardus fusca in Rajasthan

This chapter describes the present status and distribution of the second important big cat, the Leopard, which is an Endangered animal as per Appendix-1 of CITES and Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006. Worldwide, eight subspecies of Leopard are identified based on DNA studies. The Indian subspecies, Panthera pardus fusca, is distributed all over the country, being absent only in the arid desert and above the timber line in the Himalayas. The latest available figures based on pugmark census the status, population and conservation issues of Leopard in 16 protected areas are discussed. Leopard is one of the least studied species in Rajasthan. The text discusses the feeding behaviour, adaptability for diverse diet including domestic livestock, man–leopard conflict and ability to withstand anthropogenic pressure and decline in its natural prey-base. Habitat destruction, loss of wild prey, poaching for skins, bones and claws and poisoning carcasses of livestock killed by leopard are significant threats to this species. Under these circumstances, the need for basic research on Leopard ecology, for example, movement, range, feeding ecology, habitat utilisation and man–animal conflict, have been stressed upon for the conservation of this magnificent animal in Rajasthan.