Browsing by Subject "Blackbuck"
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Item Conservation Status of Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra LINNEAUS, 1758) at Khairapur, Bardia, Nepal(Department of Zoology, 2012) Ban, SuprabhaThe population status, seasonal habitat preference, conservation threats of Blackbuck and the crop loss by Blackbuck in marginal agricultural lands was studied in BCA at Khairapur, Bardia by direct observations, indirect observations, field survey and questionnaire method. The field research was conducted from 25 January, 2011 to 22 October, 2011. Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra rupicapra) is a vulnerable species and is one of the protected mammals of Nepal; lies in Appendix III of CITES. The population of Blackbuck in BCA at Khairapur, is the only single wild population of Blackbuck in Nepal which indicates that the population is more vulnerable to extinction. A total of 264 Blackbucks were estimated during the study period with an increase of 180.85% in population of Blackbuck since1999 AD. The natality rate was estimated to be 0.84 per mature female per year and the mortality rate was 0.015 per individual per year. The sex ratio was estimated to be 1:1.64 and the average herd size was found to be 15.10 individuals. The crude population density was estimated to be 50.09 individuals / km while the ecological density was 151.72 individuals / km 2 . It was found that block A (57.90%) was mostly preferred by Blackbuck followed by block C (23.43%) and block B (18.65%). The one-way ANOVA test concluded that the Pr value (0.033) with df 2 at 95% level of confidence (LC) signifies the significant difference in mean population distribution of Blackbuck in three different blocks, i.e alternative hypothesis was accepted. There was high significant difference in mean pellet distribution of Blackbuck in four seasons where Pr value is 0.00888 having 3 df at 99% of confidence level, so the alternative hypothesis was accepted. It was observed that the crop loss was more in SUC > DUC > RUC > BUC and the crop loss was estimated to be NRs. 2,126,260, which was a loss of NRs. 31,735.22 per household. For the long term survival of Blackbuck in Nepal, translocation of the species and habitat management should be focused. The rotational and controlled grazing should be practiced in different blocks of the habitat as an important and effective wildlife management tool.Item Gastrointestinal Parasites in Krishnasar (Antilope cervicapra) of Blackbuck Conservation Area, Bardiya and Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, Kanchanpur(Department of Zoology, 2014) Chaudhary, Ram BahadurBlackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is near threatened species which are conserved in Blackbuck Conservation Area (BCA), Khairapur, Bardiya and Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWR), Kanchanpur district. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of GI parasites of blackbuck in BCA and SWR. A total of 150 fresh faecalsampleswere collected from BCA and 70 faecal samples from SWR and examined by floatation, sedimentation and Stoll's counting technique by using Lugol's Iodine mount and saline mount. The GI parasites were found to be 90.00% in BCA and SWR. Protozoan parasites were found to be most prevalent in SWR (55.71%) compared to BCA(55.33%). While with regard to helminths, blackbucks of BCA were found to be more infected (90%) than SWR (88.57%). Helminths infection was comparatively more common than the protozoan infection in blackbuck of both BCA and SWR. Gastrointestinal parasites were more prevalent in female as compared to male and fawn. blackbuck of BCA were found to be infected with 12 different species of parasites which includes Entamoeba(20%) and Eimeria(45.33%) among protozoa;Paramphistomum(25.33%) and Fasciola(17.33%) among trematodes; Moniezia(14%) among cestode; Trichostrongylus(75.33%),Ascaris(57.33%),Haemonchus(18%),Strongyloides(16%),Bunostomum(12.67%),Trichuris (6%) andOxyuris (4.67%) among nematodes while blackbuck of SWR were found to be infected with 10 different parasitic genera i.e.Entamoeba(8.57%) and Eimeria(51.43%) among protozoa;Paramphistomum(38.57%),Fasciola (21.43%) and Schistosoma (7.14%) among trematodes; Trichostrongylus(55.71%), As caris (38.57%), Haemonchus (14.28%), Strongyloides (12.86%) and Bunostomum(2.86%) among nematodes. Among protozoans identified,Entamoeba was most prevalent in BCA compared to SWR whileEimeriawas comparatively higher inSWR than BCA. Three trematodes i.e. Paramphistomum, Fasciola and Schistosoma were more prevalent in SWR than BCA while Schistosoma was only reported from SWR. Monieziawas only observed in blackbuck of BCA. All of seven different nematodes were comparatively higher in BCA than SWR while Trichuris and Oxyuris were reported from BCA only.Item Population Status, General Behaviour and Conservation Practices of Blackbuck [Antilope cervicapra Linneaus, 1758] At Khairapur, Bardia; Nepal.(Department of Zoology, 2006) Khanal, LaxmanPopulation status, general behaviour and conservation practices of the last remaining wild population of endangered species of Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) at Khairapur, Bardia was studied by the direct observation, field survey and questionnaire method.Field research was conducted mainly from April, 2006 to July 2006 to explore thepopulation dynamics of Blackbuck, general behaviour, diurnal activity pattern, survival threats and conservation efforts being practiced at Khairapur. The total population of Blackbuck during the study period was 133 with the increase of18.04% than that of 2005 AD. The male to female sex ratio was of 1:1.29 and the average herd size was found to be of 7.64 individuals. Crude population density at Khairapur was 25.33 individuals/ Km 2 while the ecological density at core habitat was 75.14 individuals/Km 2 . The natality rate was found higher (0.84 per matured female per year) than mortality rate (0.091 per individual per year). Demographic indices indicated the increasing trend in Blackbuck population at Khairapur since 2000. The social aggregations of Blackbuck were loose-mixed herds, breeding herds, buckherds and isolated adult males. Blackbucks are the true grazers and they preferred the Cynodon dactylon,Saccharum spontaneumand Medicago denticulreon feeding. Keeneyesight, long range of vision and high speed are the defence measures of Blackbuckagainst the predators. The maternal care is of ‘stay put’ type. Blackbuck at Khairapurspent most of their timeon feeding followed by resting, walking, alert, sparring, andchasing, courtship, etc. Grazing percentage was peaked up in the early morning and lateafternoon. Loss and degradation of habitat by human encroachment, its fragmentation by a number of roads and foot trails and disturbance due to other anthropogenic activities including village dogs were the main survival threats of Blackbuck in Proposed Blackbuck Conservation Area (PBCA). Interference on foraging field and exploitation of biomass by the illegal grazing of livestock made a serious problem in the habitat. Crop depredationby the Blackbuck in the agriculture field of local people was the source of conflict between them which was high in winter and was inversely proportional to the distance of the crop field and core habitat of Blackbuck. Metallic fence on the western boundary with many holes was unable to control movement of animals. Only few artificial water holes were working but they were not in appropriate locations of habitat. Ploughing andseedling growth practices inside the PBCA were found effective to reduce the cropraiding of local people. Blackbuck conservation by the involvement of local conservation committees, Eco-clubs, NGOs and INGOs was appreciative but not sufficient. Conservation practices of Blackbuck at Khairapur were deemed over the survival threats.The major recommendations of this study are to restore, maintain and extend the existing habitat at Khairapur and to declare it as ‘Blackbuck Conservation Area’. Proper manipulation of habitat and involvement of local people in conservation and management should be given priority.Item Population Status, Habitat Preferences and Crop Depredation by Blackbuck (Antilope Cervicapra, Linneaus 1758) in Blackbuck Conservation Area (BCA), Nepal(Department of Zoology, 2019) Sharma, GeetaPopulation status, habitat preferences and crop depredation by Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra, Linneaus 1758) which is one of the protected mammals of Nepal known as Krishnasar, inhabits in semi-arid open habitat with grassland in Blackbuck Conservation Area (BCA) Nepal was done from January-May, 2018. Study was studied by using direct observation and questionnaire methods by using some simple instrument like GPS, camera, binoculars and measuring tape. In the area of 5.25 km 2 , maximum (253) Blackbucks were recorded in winter season and 240 were recorded in summer season. The ecological and crude density in winter was found to be 142.93 individuals / km and 48.19 individuals / km; respectively. Similarly, it was 135.59 individuals / km and 45.71 individuals / km 2 in summer. Male to female sex ratio was 1:1.67 and 1:2.05 in summer and winter; respectively. The average herd size of 17.14 individuals was recorded on 14 herds during the summer. Similarly, 17 herds were in winter with average 14.88 individuals during the winter. Total Pellets were recorded in 24 spots throughout the study period inside the BCA, Khairapur of which maximum 37.5% were recorded in block A, 33.33% in D, 25% in E and remaining 4.17% in block F. In this study, 23 species of flora from 14 different families were recorded of which, 13 species were herbs, 4 species shrubs and 6 species trees. Perennial grasses like Cynodon dactylon and Imperata cylindrica was dominated. Block A was most preferred followed by block D, E and F. Crop loss by Blackbuck was observed mostly in summer season. The mostly depredated crops were lentils, followed by mustard, vegetable in winter whereas paddy in summer. Estimated crop loss was $2920.45 per annum in both seasons. Blackbuck was the most encountered wildlife in the field that caused most of the damage to the crops. 78% farmers found that Blackbucks were active in the fields at nights for crop depredation, and 22% specify that Blackbucks raided their fields at daytime. Some commonly used methods were shouting and using noise making tools as clappers and drums, scaring device like scarecrow, guarding at nights, using fire and electric lights in the fields and throwing stones and, Machen forming.Item Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Blackbuck ( Antelope cervicapra Linnaeus, 1758) of Blackbuck Conservation Area, Khairapur, Bardia, Nepal(Department of Zoology, 2023) Thapa MunaBlackbuck is a species of antelope native to the Indian subcontinent. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, diversity, and concurrency of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in the blackbuck population of the Blackbuck Conservation Area in Nepal. A total of 150 fecal samples of blackbuck were collected and examined using the iodine wet mount and concentration technique. The results revealed an overall prevalence of 96% for GI parasites, with females having a higher prevalence than males. Ten different genera of parasites belonging to protozoa, cestode, trematode, and nematode groups were identified with Paramphistomum sp. (55.33%) having the highest prevalence followed by Strongyloides sp. (52%), Fasciola sp. (36%), Haemonchus sp. (26%), Moniezia sp. (24%), Trichostrongylus sp. (21.33%), Eimeria sp. (19.33%), Entamoeba sp. (15.33%), Ascaris sp. (8.67%) and Trichuris sp. (7.33%). The study also revealed mixed infection with one to six genera in each sample, with triple infections being the most prevalent. Most of the blackbucks exhibited light infection, while five specific parasite types showed heavy infection levels. These findings suggest a significant threat to the health and survival of the blackbuck population, highlighting the need for effective parasite control measures to prevent the spread of infection and improve overall health.