Population Status, Distribution and General Behaviour of Spotted Deer [Axis axis, Erxleben, 1777] in Bardia National Park, Bardia; Nepal.

Abstract

The current population status, distribution and general behaviour of the spotted deer (Axis axis) in five major Phantas and the adjoining areas of Bardia National Park (BNP) were studied by direct ocular observation, field observation and questionnaire survey method. The field work was conducted during April- July 2006 to explore the population situation, distribution pattern, general behaviour with diurnal activities of the spotted deer in the northern-west lowland corner of the park. The total population of the spotted deer was counted as 832 from the 16 different study blocks of the park. Among them 351 individuals were recorded from the five major phantas. The average sex ratio was computed as 48.99 bucks per 100 does. The crude density of spotted deer was found to be 27.73 deer/ km2 among total study area of BNP. The average herd size was of 16.67 individuals. The distribution pattern of spotted deer was found to be clumped type within about 30 km2 total study area while there was regular type of distribution in small area (0.36 km2) of Lower Khauraha Phanta. They were mainly distributed along the Phantas and adjoining areas. The social organization of the spotted deer was a loose aggregation with frequent fusion and fission .The most common herds were mixed herds followed by female-fawn herd and breeding herds. The male herds, isolated male/female herds were occasionally seen. Spotted deer are true grazers and seasonal browser. They preferred Imperata cylindrica, Cyanodon dactylon, Sachharum spontaneum, Tamarindus indica and Trifolium sp. on feeding. Preference of wide and open land for long range of vision, high capacity of escape and greater sensitivity and alertness towards danger were major defense measures from their predators. The adult and dominant male showed dominancy towards both territorial and sexual behaviour. The grazing percentage was peaked up in the early morning and evening, they took rest under trees-shade during the mid-day of April. Feeding was the most common diurnal activity followed by walking, resting, alert and other activities like chasing, sparring, mounting, suckling etc. The major threats of spotted deer in the BNP were illegal hunting, trapping, poaching, entry of domestic cattle and dogs, scarcity of food and water in dry season. Therefore provision of artificial water holes, grassland management, seed dispersal, ban on entry of domestic animals, effective implementation of government rules to control hunting, poaching and trapping in joint effort of local people are the main recommendation of this study for the flourishment of the spotted deer in BNP.