Tigers (Panthera tigris) respond to fine spatial-scale habitat factors: occupancy-based habitat association of tigers in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hemanta Kafley ◽  
Matthew E. Gompper ◽  
Mandira Sharma ◽  
Babu R. Lamichane ◽  
Rupak Maharjan
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scale ◽  
National Park ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Occurrence Probability ◽  
Fine Spatial Scale ◽  
Habitat Factors ◽  
Chitwan National Park

Context Source populations of many large carnivores such as tigers (Panthera tigris) are confined within small wildlife refuges in human-dominated landscapes. Appropriate management of these populations may warrant understanding fine-scale use of habitat. Aims The aim of the present study is to understand the fine spatial-scale habitat associations of tigers in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Methods We conducted camera-trap surveys across the park and applied an occupancy modelling approach to assess the probability of tiger detection and occurrence as a function of fine-scale habitat covariates. Results Tiger detection probability as a function of fine-scale habitat covariates was ≤0.20 compared with that of a constant detection model. Detectability patterns were best explained by models incorporating the effect of prey, slope and landcover type. Similarly, the best occupancy model incorporating the detection probability included prey, landcover type, water and slope. Tiger occurrence patterns were positively associated with prey availability and certain landcover types such as grasslands. Contrary to expectation, occurrence probability decreased further from human settlements. However, as expected, the occurrence of tigers was higher in proximity to water sources. Conclusions Both tiger detection and occurrence are influenced by fine-scale habitat factors, including prey availability. In small protected areas, individuals may persist at high population densities by intensively focusing their activity on small portions of their home ranges. Implications Our study provided insight into the fine spatial-scale occurrence probability of tigers, and thereby aids in developing appropriate habitat management strategies at the protected-area level. Our approach is broadly applicable to the robust assessment of fine-scale wildlife–habitat associations of many wide-ranging species that are ecologically ‘confined’ in smaller protected areas.

scholarly journals Fine-scale spatio-temporal variation in tiger Panthera tigris diet: effect of study duration and extent on estimates of tiger diet in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Kapfer ◽  
Henry M. Streby ◽  
Bhim Gurung ◽  
Achara Simcharoen ◽  
Charles C. McDougal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Variation ◽  
National Park ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Study Duration ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Different Spatial Scales for Different Face Categorisations

Perception ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 26 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 295-295
Author(s):  
A Oliva ◽  
P G Schyns
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scale ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Visual Input ◽  
Perceptual Information ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Perceptual Cues ◽  
Fine Spatial Scale ◽  
Complex Stimuli ◽  
Face Stimuli ◽  
Opposite Gender

When people categorise complex stimuli such as faces, they might flexibly use the perceptual information available from the visual input. Three experiments were run to test this hypothesis with two different categorisations (gender and expression) of identical face stimuli. Stimuli were hybrids (Schyns and Oliva, 1994 Psychological Science5 195 – 200): they combined either a man or a woman with a particular expression at a coarse spatial scale with a face of the opposite gender with a different expression at the fine spatial scale. In experiment 1 we tested whether a gender vs an expression categorisation task tapped preferentially into a different spatial scale of the hybrids. Results showed that expression was biased to the fine scale, but that gender was not biased. In experiment 2 the same task was replicated, following a learning of the identity of the faces. It was then found that gender also became biased to the fine scale. In experiment 3 the expression task was changed to an identification of each expression to establish whether this could revert the scale biases observed in experiments 1 and 2. Results suggest that different categorisations of identical faces use different perceptual cues. This suggests that the nature of a task changes the representation of a stimulus.

scholarly journals Prey selection by Bengal Tiger Panthera tigris tigris (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) of Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (14) ◽  
pp. 8081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saneer Lamichhane ◽  
Bibhuti Ranjan Jha
Keyword(s):  
Wild Boar ◽  
National Park ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Prey Selection ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Prey Composition ◽  
The Status ◽  
Panthera Tigris Tigris ◽  
Chitwan National Park

<p>Prey selection by tiger in Chitwan National Park, Nepal was studied from 77 tiger scats that contained the remains of principal prey species.  The scats were collected from January to March 2010.  Government reports on herbivore population in Chitwan provided the base data on density of principal prey species.  In order to understand prey selectivity, the observed proportion of prey species in the scats were compared with the expected proportion derived from density estimates.  The observed scat frequency of Sambar, Hog Deer and Wild Boar was found to be greater than the estimated frequency, and the reverse was true for Chital and Muntjac.  The average weight of the principal prey species killed was 84 kg. According to our results, Chital and Sambar constituted the bulk (82.07%), and Hog Deer, Wild Boar, and Muntjac constituted 17.93% of the tiger diet.  Sambar contributed the largest bulk (43.75%) of prey composition, but Chital constituted the relatively most killed (50.36%) prey species.  The present study makes a contribution to an understanding of the status of prey composition in tiger scat in Chitwan during the year 2010.  The study also highlights that both large and medium sized prey are important for the conservation of tiger in Chitwan National Park.</p><div> </div>

scholarly journals Diet of Bengal Tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shivish Bhandari ◽  
Mukesh Kumar Chalise ◽  
Chiranjibi Prasad Pokharel
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Small Component ◽  
Axis Axis ◽  
Panthera Tigris Tigris ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Muntiacus Muntjak ◽  
Cervus Unicolor ◽  
Wild Pig

AbstractWe studied the diet of the Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, by identifying 109 prey items from 85 tiger scats. Tigers in this region fed upon eight different mammal species. Chital (Axis axis) was the major prey with a frequency of 45% of the Tigers’ diet. The occurrence of other prey species included sambar (Cervus unicolor, 23%), wild pig (Sus scrofa, 15%), hog deer (Axis porcinus, 9%), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak, 4%), and gaur (Bos gaurus, 2%). Tigers also hunted livestock, but this prey comprised a small component of the relative biomass (buffalo 5% and cow 2%). Our study suggests that the tiger depends mostly upon wild prey for its subsistence in the Chitwan National Park, but will also sporadically hunt livestock.

scholarly journals Living with tigers Panthera tigris: patterns, correlates, and contexts of human–tiger conflict in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Oryx ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajendra Dhungana ◽  
Tommaso Savini ◽  
Jhamak Bahadur Karki ◽  
Maheshwar Dhakal ◽  
Babu Ram Lamichhane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Insurance Scheme ◽  
Livestock Depredation ◽  
Development Committee ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Village Development Committee ◽  
Spatio Temporal

AbstractHuman–tiger conflict arises when tigers Panthera tigris attack people or their livestock, and poses a significant threat to both tigers and people. To gain a greater understanding of such conflict we examined spatio-temporal patterns, correlates, causes and contexts of conflict in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, and its buffer zone, during 2007–2014. Data, mostly from compensation applications, were collected from the Park office. Fifty-four human casualties (32 fatalities, 22 injuries) and 351 incidents of livestock depredation were recorded, clustered in defined areas, with 75.9% of human casualties occurring in the buffer zone and 66.7% within 1 km of the Park boundary. A linear model indicated there was a significant increase in human casualties during 2007–2014. Livestock were killed in proportion to their relative availability, with goats suffering the highest depredation (55%). There was a positive correlation between livestock depredation and National Park frontage (the length of Village Development Committee/municipality boundary abutting the National Park), but not human population, livestock population, forest area in the buffer zone, rainfall or temperature. There was no relationship between tiger attacks on people and any of the correlates examined. Wild prey density was not correlated with conflict. Of the tigers removed because of conflict, 73.3% were male. The majority of attacks on people occurred during accidental meetings (77.8%), mostly while people were collecting fodder or fuelwood (53.7%), and almost half (48.2%) occurred in the buffer zone forests. We recommend the use of the conflict map developed here in the prioritization of preventive measures, and that strategies to reduce conflict should include zoning enforcement, improvement of livestock husbandry, participatory tiger monitoring, an insurance scheme, and community awareness.

scholarly journals Sex-Specific Habitat Suitability Modeling for Panthera tigris in Chitwan National Park, Nepal: Broader Conservation Implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 13885
Author(s):  
Li An ◽  
Eve Bohnett ◽  
Curtis Battle ◽  
Jie Dai ◽  
Rebecca Lewison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
National Park ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Habitat Suitability Modeling ◽  
Critically Endangered Species ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Males And Females

Although research on wildlife species across taxa has shown that males and females may differentially select habitat, sex-specific habitat suitability models for endangered species are uncommon. We developed sex-specific models for Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris) based on camera trapping data collected from 20 January to 22 March 2010 within Chitwan National Park, Nepal, and its buffer zone. We compared these to a sex-indiscriminate habitat suitability model to assess the benefits of a sex-specific approach to habitat suitability modeling. Our sex-specific models produced more informative and detailed habitat suitability maps and highlighted vital differences in the spatial distribution of suitable habitats for males and females, specific associations with different vegetation types, and habitat use near human settlements. Improving and refining habitat models for this and other critically endangered species provides the necessary information to meet established conservation goals and population recovery targets.

scholarly journals When, where and whom: assessing wildlife attacks on people in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Oryx ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 370-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thakur Silwal ◽  
Jaromir Kolejka ◽  
Bharat P. Bhatta ◽  
Santosh Rayamajhi ◽  
Ram P. Sharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Time Activity ◽  
Emergency Rescue ◽  
The People ◽  
Rhinoceros Unicornis ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys ◽  
Melursus Ursinus

AbstractWildlife attacks on people in and around protected areas have become one of the main challenges for wildlife management authorities. We assessed all correlates of wildlife attacks during 2003–2013 in the vicinity of Chitwan National Park, Nepal. We used data from various sources (discussion with stakeholders, field observations, questionnaire surveys). Wildlife attacks were significantly correlated to factors such as site, season and time, activity, gender and awareness. Moreover, 89% of recorded attacks occurred outside the Park. The number of attacks fluctuated widely and patterns of attacks were significantly uneven across seasons and months. Of the 87% of attacks that occurred during the day, 63% occurred in the morning. Most victims were male and c. 45% of attacks occurred when people were collecting forest resources or working on croplands. Attacks were carried out predominantly by rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis (38%), tigers Panthera tigris (21%), sloth bears Melursus ursinus (18%), elephants Elephas maximus (9%) and wild boar Sus scrofa (8%). The people attacked lived close to the Park, depended on farming for their livelihoods, and had little knowledge of animal behaviour. Attacks can be mitigated through proper management of habitats inside the Park and raising awareness of wildlife behaviour among local people. We recommend establishing a participatory emergency rescue team to deal with problematic animals in high-risk areas.

scholarly journals Estimating the abundance of Nepal's largest population of tigers Panthera tigris

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jhamak B. Karki ◽  
B. Pandav ◽  
S. R. Jnawali ◽  
R. Shrestha ◽  
N. M. B. Pradhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Abundance Estimate ◽  
Tiger Reserve ◽  
The Status ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Tiger Population

AbstractInformation on the abundance of tigers Panthera tigris is essential for effective conservation of the species. The main aim of this study was to determine the status of tigers in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, including the Churia hills, using a camera-trap based mark–recapture abundance estimate. Camera traps (n = 310) were placed in an area of 1,261 km2 from 20 January to 22 March 2010. The study area was divided into three blocks and each block was trapped for 19–21 days, with a total effort of 3,582 man-days, 170 elephant-days and 4,793 camera-trap nights. The effectively camera-trapped area was 2,596 km2. Camera stations were located 1.5–2 km apart. Sixty-two tigers (age ⩾ 1.5 years), comprising 15 males, 41 females and six of unidentified sex, were identified from 344 photographs. The heterogeneity model Mh (jackknife) was the best fit for the capture history data. A capture probability ($\hat P$) of 0.05 was obtained, generating a population estimate ($\hat N$) of 125 ± SE 21.8 tigers. The density of tigers in the area, including Churia and Barandabhar (buffer zone forest linked with mid hill forest), was estimated to be 4.5 ± SE 0.35 tigers per 100 km2, using a Bayesian spatially explicit capture–recapture model in SPACECAP. Our study showed the use of Churia by tigers and we therefore conclude that the Chitwan tiger population serves as a source to maintain tiger occupancy of the larger landscape that comprises Chitwan National Park, Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Barandabhar buffer zone, Someswor forest in Nepal and Valmiki Tiger Reserve in India.

scholarly journals Human Disturbance is the Major Determinant of the Habitat and Prey Preference of the Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bishnu Prasad Bhattarai ◽  
Pavel Kindlmann
Keyword(s):  
Human Disturbance ◽  
National Park ◽  
Prey Preference ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Large Prey ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Human Disturbances ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
The Impact

Abstract We studied the impact of human disturbances on the habitat and prey preference of tiger by walking along transects in different sites of the Chitwan National Park, Nepal. The study found that tiger mostly preferred successional forests, grasslands and floodplains while avoiding the Shorea forests. Tiger strongly preferred prey abundant areas and strongly avoided the human disturbed areas. The prey preference of tiger obtained through scat analysis showed the highest preference of medium sized prey and less preference of large sized prey while avoidance of small, very small sized prey and domestic mammals. Tiger utilized higher numbers of domestic prey in the areas where there was high disturbance and less abundance of wild prey. The low preference of large sized prey and high preference of medium sized prey might be due to the low availability of large prey (e.g., sambar, gaur) and comparatively high availability of medium sized prey (e.g., chital, wild boar) in this area. For the effective use of habitat and prey, a predator like tiger needs considerable behavioural plasticity with the lonely wilderness. The regular disturbances caused by human activities could invite a dramatic change in the behavior of such predators which consequently increases conflict with people and declines in prey population. Hence, the habitat and prey preference of tiger not only depends on prey abundance but also depends on the degree of habitat disturbances in the human dominated landscapes like Chitwan. Proper management of parks by delineating the core areas as the prohibited zone and having only the buffer zone area as the free access zone for the local people to accommodate their daily needs, could help minimize the human disturbance in this park.

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