As part of the monitoring, a one-day training session was held at the wildlife dormitory at Muthanga on Friday. Different aspects of the survey and the use of modern methodologies were discussed by the experts.

The three-day survey is not only aimed at ascertaining the population of tiger and other predators, including leopard, beer, jackal and wild dogs in the sanctuary, but also the population of prey animals such as spotted deer, sambar deer, barking deer and four-horned antelope and its habitat, V.K. Sreevalsan, Wildlife Warden, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, told The Hindu on Friday.

140 members

As many as 140 members, including Forest officials, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers of the veterinary colleges at Mannuthy and Pookode, and the watchers of anti-poaching camps in the sanctuary will take part in the survey.

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 344.44 sq. km. and has been divided into 35 blocks for this purpose, Mr. Sreevalsan said.

Deepak Kumar Narayana Kurup, assistant director of Wildlife Education; Arun Zachariah, assistant forest veterinary officer; T.M. Suresh, former assistant conservator of forest, Kannur; led the classes. Mr. Sreevalsan coordinated the classes.