Zoology

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Browsing Zoology by Author "Adhikari, Pradeep"

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    Estimating The Density of Prey Species of Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, Nepal
    (Department of Zoology, 2013) Adhikari, Pradeep
    Tiger population is dependent on a healthy and viable prey population and prey population should be monitored regularly. I estimated population density and structure of major prey species in Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve using Distance sampling method. A total of 26 transects covering a total length of 109.25 was monitored for ungulates during February, 2012. Ungulates in the Sal Forest and riverine forest were sampled by walking and in the tall grasses Elephant was used. A total of 132 groups and 2170 individuals of nine prey species (Chital, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Swamp Deer, Wild Pig, Langur, Rhesus, Peafowl and Cattle) were recorded. The overall density of prey species in SWR was 72.71/km and the densities of Chital, Hog Deer and Primates were 28.99, 8.51 and 6.79/km respectively. Biomasses of Chital and Hog Deer were estimated at 1565.46 and 280.83 kg/km respectively. Of the total individuals, 77.64% were classified into age-sex categories. Sex ratios of Chital, Hog Deer and Swamp Deer were female biased, while in Rhesus and Barking Deer were male biased sex ratios were observed. Barking Deer was found mostly solitary, but other species like Chital Wild Pig, Peafowl, Rhesus and Hog Deer occupy intermediate position in terms of sociality with the group size frequencies being distributed among family associations, small groups and medium sized groups. Swamp Deer and domestic Cattle were found in very large herds with more than hundreds individuals in groups. Estimated prey population density of this study was lower than the estimates of 2006 and 2011. However, male- female and young to female ratios represent the good symptoms of future prey population in order to keep long term conservation of Tiger population.