Survey of tiger population gets under way

The Hindu , Sunday, May 10, 2009
Correspondent : Staff Reporter
KALPETTA: A survey of the tiger and co-predator population began in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday. On the first day itself, four tigers were sighted.

“Three tigers were seen in Tholpetty forest range and another one in Kurichiad forest range under the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary,” V.K. Sreevalsan, wildlife warden, Wayanad Wild Life Sanctuary, told The Hindu on Saturday. “A survey team had recorded the roar of a tiger in Sulthan Bathery Forest range too,” he added.

Team members

As many as 140 members, including forest officials, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers of the veterinary colleges at Mannuthy and Pookode and watchers of anti-poaching camps in the sanctuary, would take part in the survey. The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 344.44 sq.km. under four forest ranges and has been divided into 35 blocks for the survey. Each block will be surveyed by a four-member team comprising a forest official, a National Service Scheme volunteer and two watchers of anti-poaching camps in the sanctuary.

Methods used

Two methods, direct and indirect, would be adopted. “In the first method, the team will directly collect sighting details of the animal. Each group has been provided with equipment such as Global Positioning System (GPS) to fix the exact locale of sighting, Plaster of Paris and other related instruments to collect pugmarks of the animals,” Mr. Sreevalsan said.

In the second method the teams would indirectly collect data. “In this method, we rely on pugmarks, roars, remnants of kills, hairs and scratches of tiger on the barks of trees in its home region. A tiger has its own territory. Its home range might extend to 10 to 15 sq.km. and the pug marks are usually seen on the barks of ‘Biscoficia Javanica,’ locally called ‘Neeli’ or ‘Cholavenga’, he said. Eight night vision cameras are also being used for survey as the tiger is a nocturnal animal, he added.

Habitat map

At the end of the survey, the forest personnel would prepare a habitat map of the tigers and other animals. “Based on this, we can concentrate on the area where the tiger population is high and can implement better protection measures for the animal, which faces threat from poachers,” he said

The survey will conclude on Monday.

 
SOURCE : Sunday, May 10, 2009
 


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