Population Status, Habitat Use and Distribution of Barasingha (Cervus Duvauceli Duvauceli) in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, Nepal

Abstract

Current population status, habitat use and distribution of Barasingha were studied in Suklaphanta wildlife reserve during November-December2006. Main objectives of the study were estimation of population, habitat utilization and distribution of barasingha during winter season in thereserve. Direct ground count method was employed to count the animals.Habitat use was studied by line-plot transect method. Altogether 15 transectlines were laid spacing 500m apart in all vegetation types. GPS location ofwaterholes, individuals or group of barasingha, fecal pellets found weretaken to develop respective maps using GIS. Altogether 1951 individuals were counted during the period, out ofwhich 563 individuals (28.8%) were male and rests were females and fawns. The sex ratio was 40 stags to 100 hinds. In November group size was268 individuals per group while the group size was increased to 298.8individuals per group during December after burning the grass. Out of 6 habitat type studied, phanta was found to be highly preferred (HP=29.6%) while Sal forest was least preferred. The wooded grass land and marsh came after the phanta in their preference respectively.In Phanta also, burned grassland was most preferred (HP = 70%) over unburned grass land. When burned grassland was available then they use it.In burned grassland, they were sighted even licking the ash adhered to the leaves or laying on ground for maintenance of minerals in body. They were found usually around Sukla post and Purano tal during thestudy period. Having grassland and ample amount of water in the place,they like to stay around it. They mixed with other group to form larger one.During evening they were found lying in straight line. Suklaphanta itself isa place where largest herd of barasingha in the world is found. Encroachment of phanta by trees such as Bombax ceiba, Acaciacatechu etc is a common challenge faced by park authority. Scarcity of water, high predation rate, poaching are the factors challenging barasingha survival in the reserve. Though park authority is doing with their best effort but it is recommended that more waterholes should be created around southern section, the encroaching plants should be uprooted periodically and inventing other suitable habitat inside the reserve for translocation the animal to escape from mass casualties of the animal.