Habitat Assessment, Behavior and Conservation Practices of Sarus Crane (Antigone antigone Linnaeus, 1758) in Lumbini Important Birds and Biodiversity Area, Nepal

Abstract

The present study was carried out on Sarus Crane (Antigone anitigone) to know the current population status, their habitat, behavior and the conservation practices used by local people in Lumbini IBA. Road transect method was used to count the Sarus Crane population. The survey was carried out on July and August, 2017. Total 127 transects having length 5km each were surveyed covering cropland and wetland of Lumbini IBA. Habitat parameters were determined by measuring the distance of nest from water source, road, forest and resident area using Google Earth Pro. Climatic-parameter (mean temperature and relative humidity) were determined from EasyLog USB data loggers. Similarly, water parameter of nesting sites were recorded from alcohol-thermometer and pH meter respectively. Behavior was studied by focal scan sampling method observing two pairs of Sarus Crane, a pair in wetland and other pair in cropland for four days. Conservation practices and threats to Sarus Crane were carried out by household questionnaire survey in Bishnupura VDC.

Total 180 Sarus Cranes were recorded including 88 pairs of male and female and four undistinguished. Among them 146 Sarus Cranes were recorded in cropland and only 34 in wetland. Significance difference (Fratio= 5.198, d.f.= 1, 64; P-value = 0.026) was found in site utilization by Sarus Crane. Maximum (36.67%) Sarus Cranes were found in Lumbini Sanskritik Nagarpalika and least (2.22%) in Sammarimai Gaunpalika. Uniform distribution of Sarus Crane was found with the density 0.285/km 2 area. No Sarus Crane was observed in Pakadisakron, Betakuiya,Titrirkhi and Asurena.

Total of 12 nests were recorded out of which maximum nests (n=8) were in cropland and minimum (n=4) in wetland. Altogether, 17 eggs were recorded in 12 nests. Two eggs were recorded in five nests whereas only one egg was recorded in seven nests. Majority (24.80%) of Sarus Cranes were observed sitting on nest, and least (0.21%) running behavior was recorded during the study period. There was no significant difference (Fratio=1.1658, d.f.=1, 27; P-value=0.344) in the behavior of Sarus Crane on wetland and cropland. Positive correlation was found between behavior pattern of male and female. Most of the respondent (68%) agreed with no change in population of Sarus Crane in the area and 94% respondents showed positive attitude toward Sarus Crane conservation. Harassment, destruction of nests, destruction of eggs, stealing of eggs, and wetland damage were observed as existing major threats to Sarus Crane in the study area.

Key words: Conservation, Lumbini IBA, Sarus Crane, threats, vulnerable