Bagalkot: The Indian Gazelle (Chinkara) is an endangered species in South India.
In Karnataka, it was only found in two places – Bukkapatna in the Tumakuru District and Yadahalli in the Bagalkot district.
Yadahalli was declared as a wildlife asylum (WLS) in 2015.
Like hunting in various steps, the Chinkara population has increased in the range.
The Ministry of Forestry is happy with the amount of Hyena, Wolf, Fox, Wild Pigs and other animals also increased dramatically.
HB Doni, Range Forest Officer, Range Bilagi in Bagalkot District, told TII that the team of scientists from the center of Salim Ali for Natural Ornithology and History (Sacon), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu conducted research at Yadahalli WLS for three months and submitted a report to the Ministry of Forestry .
“This survey mainly identifies the abundance of Chinkara in Yadahalli WLS and the steps for the management of the region to form a long-term conservation strategy.
A total of 36 grids surveyed through 161 camera trap locations produce 805 days of camera trap.
During the current study, nine species of mammals not Including small mice and bats reported, where six species (i.e., Chinkara, striped hyena, Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, and black rabbits) are considered for occupancy estimates.
Except for striped Hyaena, the probability of other species detection is not affected by the number Camera trap in each box, “he said.
Honnavalli n Kumara, school principal scientist, conservation biology, Sacon, noted that Yadahalli WLS, with dry scrub forests, rare Chinkara in the southernmost part of India.
“In addition, the camera trap survey reveals the presence of eight other mammalian species.
The presence of other species and in this study area gives an important meaning on the protection of scrub forests that fall or open from Yadahalli WLS.
The results showed anthropogenic disorders due to pets such as cattle, goats, and sheep in the forest area are assessed and determined by chinkara habitat residence.
Chinkara’s occupancy and abundance of Chinkara correlated with the density of the tree and basal area.
The ideal habitat of dried died forest with high interest density and other factors such as food plant diversity supporting Chinkara’s high density.
This estimates that around 90 individuals increased by 1.06%.
This study also confirmed the presence of the large population in the sanctuary with a flock size of 1.31 ± 0.60 seconds, “he said.
Dr.
Mr.
Desai, Warden Wildlife Honorary, Bagalkot, commented that as a boy’s school, he had raised several chinkaras as a pet.
“However, in 1970, they had disappeared.
We began efforts to regain wildlife and fight for three decades.
Finally, Yadahalli was declared WLS in 2015 and now we are happy to see all animals including leopards here,” he added.
Pics: Hb Doni