Estimating The Density of Prey Species of Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, Nepal
Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Zoology
Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
Age – sex category, Riverine forest, Tiger population