IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Selvan, K.M. | |
| Ecology of sympatric large carnivores in Pakke Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh | |
| 2013 Full Book | |
The study was conducted in Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR), East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The objectives of the study were to (a) estimate the abundance and population status of large sympatric carnivores such as tigers, leopards and Asiatic wild dogs, (b) assess the prey availability, group size and sex of major prey species, (c) examine the prey selection and food habits of the large carnivores, (d) determine the factors governing coexistence of large sympatric carnivores and (e) assess the socio-economic status of local communities and the human - wildlife conflict in and around the Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR). The thesis addresses the following four key questions; (a) what is the population status of tigers, leopards and wild dogs in the Pakke Tiger Reserve? (b) knowing that these species differ in their behavior do they exhibit any specific food preferences? (c) what are the key factors that determine occurrence of the above mentioned large carnivore in Pakke Tiger Reserve? (d) what is the status of awareness, attitude and perception about the importance of large carnivores and their conservation among the indigenous communities? The present study examined coexistence of tiger, leopard and wild dog by assessing prey availability, prey selection, activity patterns and habitat. It was estimated that the available prey biomass of 2182.56 kg per km2 can support up to 7.2 tigers per 100 km2. However, with two other sympatric carnivores sharing the same resources, the actual tiger numbers that can be supported will be lower. From the 468 scats it was estimated that around 1126.57 kg of prey biomass was consumed by these predators (Tiger 618.17 kg, leopard 380.64 kg and wild dog 120.76 kg). The tigers showed selectivity towards large and medium sized prey such as gaur and sambar, whereas leopard showed selectivity towards medium to smaller prey such as sambar and langur; and wild dog for barking deer and wild pig. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |