scholarly journals Spatial differences in prey preference by tigers across the Bangladesh Sundarbans reveal a need for customised strategies to protect prey populations

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 65-73
Author(s):  
MA Aziz ◽  
MA Islam ◽  
J Groombridge
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Prey Preference ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Spotted Deer ◽  
Spatial Differences ◽  
Tiger Population ◽  
The Sundarbans ◽  
Wild Pig

The Sundarbans is the only mangrove habitat in the world to support tigers Panthera tigris, whose persistence there is believed to be dependent on a very limited number of prey species. Conservation managers therefore need to understand how tigers utilise available prey species on a spatial scale in order to formulate a prey-based protection strategy for this global-priority tiger landscape. A total of 512 scat samples were collected during a survey of 1984 km2 of forest across 4 sample blocks in the 6017 km2 of the Bangladesh Sundarbans. Analysis of scat composition and prey remains reliably identified 5 major prey species, of which spotted deer Axis axis and wild pig Sus scrofa contributed a cumulative biomass of 89% to tiger diet. Tiger preference for prey species was highly skewed towards spotted deer and wild pig, but the relative contribution of these 2 species differed significantly across the 4 study areas, which spanned the Sundarbans, demonstrating important spatial patterns of tiger prey preference across the Sundarbans landscape. Given the comparatively limited number of prey species available to support the dwindling tiger population, different strategies are needed in different parts of the Sundarbans to support tiger populations and to protect spotted deer and wild pig populations from unabated poaching.

scholarly journals Estimating population densities and biomass of ungulates in the temperate ecosystem of Bhutan

Oryx ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonam Wangyel Wang
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Crop Damage ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Cuon Alpinus ◽  
Livestock Density ◽  
Large Predators ◽  
Cervus Unicolor ◽  
Wild Pig

AbstractIn this study I estimate population densities and biomass of the major prey species of tiger Panthera tigris, leopard Panthera pardus and dhole Cuon alpinus in Bhutan’s temperate ecosystem and recommend measures for reducing crop damage whilst simultaneously protecting ungulate populations. Thirty-two transects totalling 849 km were walked to estimate densities and biomass of ungulates and primates in Bhutan’s Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park during 2005–2006. Adequate detections (> 40 sightings) for analysis using Distance were obtained for wild pig Sus scrofa (n = 54), muntjac Munticus muntjac (n = 102) and sambar Cervus unicolor (n = 48). Because of similarity in morphology and habitat use, density of serow Capricornis sumatraensis was estimated using the detection probability for sambar. Detections for langur Trachypithecus geei and macaque Macca mulatta were combined (n = 39) to estimate primate density. Mean estimated densities were 3.68 wild pig, 2.17 muntjac, 1.19 sambar, 2.37 primates and 0.36 serow km-2. The three primary prey species of large predators, wild pig, sambar and muntjac, provided a biomass of 379 kg km-2, which could support up to 1.2 tigers per 100 km2. However, the presence of other sympatric carnivores competing for prey in the same area suggests that the actual number of tigers that could be supported is lower. Livestock (density, 6.0 km-2; biomass, 615 kg km-2) apparently supplement prey availability. Ungulate density in the study area is generally low compared to other areas in the Indian sub-continent, and this may be due to conflicts with farmers, excessive grazing of livestock in the forest and the rugged terrain.

scholarly journals Female tiger Panthera tigris home range size in the Bangladesh Sundarbans: the value of this mangrove ecosystem for the species’ conservation

Oryx ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam C.D. Barlow ◽  
James L.D. Smith ◽  
Ishtiaq U. Ahmad ◽  
Abu N.M. Hossain ◽  
Mizan Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Mangrove Ecosystem ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
The South ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
The Sundarbans

AbstractBasic information required to conserve wild tigers Panthera tigris is lacking for the Bangladesh Sundarbans. The objectives of this study were therefore to estimate tiger home range size and obtain information on movement. Two adult female tigers were captured in the south-east of the Sundarbans and fitted with global positioning system collars. Mean home range sizes for the two tigers estimated with 95% minimum convex polygon and fixed kernel methods were 12.3 and 14.2 km2, respectively. A mean female home range size of 14.2 km2 would indicate a density for the south-east Sundarbans of seven adult females per 100 km2. The maximum distance moved by a tiger in 1 day was 11.3 km. Although preliminary these home range estimates indicate that the Sundarbans of Bangladesh has good quality tiger habitat relative to other tiger landscapes, highlighting the value of this mangrove ecosystem for the survival of this Endangered species.

scholarly journals A baseline survey of ungulate abundance and distribution in northern Lao: implications for conservation

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 544-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanthavy Vongkhamheng ◽  
Arlyne Johnson ◽  
Melvin E. Sunquist
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Population ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Tiger Population ◽  
Abundance And Distribution ◽  
Cervus Unicolor ◽  
Wild Pig

AbstractLarge ungulates across South-east Asia have been experiencing a rapid decline in recent decades because of overexploitation by humans. An absence of reliable data on the abundance and distribution of ungulates makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of conservation efforts to recover their populations. As the principal prey for Endangered tigers Panthera tigris, depletion of wild ungulates is a major threat to the species' persistence and recovery across its range. This study estimated abundance and distribution of five ungulate taxa using a grid-based occupancy survey across a 3,000 km2 core zone within the 5,950 km2 Nam Et–Phou Louey National Protected Area in northern Lao. The results show an abundance index of 5.29 ± 0.30 ungulates per km2, with muntjac Munticus spp. and wild pig Sus spp. being most common, moderate levels of serow Capricornis milneedwardsii and sambar Cervus unicolor but few gaur Bos gaurus. This low abundance of medium- and large-sized ungulates at the site strongly suggests that strict control of hunting of these ungulates is important for securing their long-term survival as well as that of the tiger population that depends on them, which is currently the only known breeding population remaining in Indochina.

scholarly journals Using BAD for good: how best available data facilitated a precautionary policy change to improve protection of the prey of the tiger Panthera tigris in Malaysia

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 420-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kae Kawanishi ◽  
Gopalasamy Reuben Clements ◽  
Melvin Gumal ◽  
Gareth Goldthorpe ◽  
Mohd Nawayai Yasak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Camera Trapping ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Tapirus Indicus ◽  
Prey Populations

AbstractTiger Panthera tigris populations are under threat from poaching and depletion of their prey populations. The National Tiger Action Plan for Malaysia contains several actions addressing the threat of legal and illegal hunting of tiger prey species. One action in this plan required an investigation of whether urgent policy changes were needed to improve the protection of the prey of tigers, based on existing data. As the lack of reliable baseline data prevented us from determining population trends accurately, we compiled camera-trapping data from 23 studies conducted between 1997 and 2008 on four principal tiger prey species (sambar Rusa unicolor, barking deer Muntiacus muntjac, wild boar Sus scrofa and bearded pig S. barbatus) and two potential prey species (gaur Bos gaurus and Malayan tapir Tapirus indicus) and compared their distributions and relative abundances. From 10,145 wildlife photographs spanning 40,303 trap-nights, sambar, bearded pig and gaur appeared to be most threatened given their restricted distribution and low relative abundance. Among these, the gaur has full legal protection and has received more conservation attention than the other two species. Following our assessment and advocacy a 6-year moratorium on hunting both sambar and barking deer was imposed by the Malaysian government and the highest protection status possible was afforded the bearded pig. This case study illustrates how best available data (BAD), in this case from camera-trapping studies, can be harnessed to effect precautionary policy changes to curb the impacts of hunting on threatened predator and prey populations that could crash well before resources would otherwise be available for rigorous scientific assessments.

scholarly journals Prioritizing threats to improve conservation strategy for the tiger Panthera tigris in the Sundarbans Reserve Forest of Bangladesh

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 510-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Aziz ◽  
Adam C. D. Barlow ◽  
Christina C. Greenwood ◽  
Anwarul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Time Frame ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Nature Conservancy ◽  
The World ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Reserve Forest ◽  
Prioritization Framework ◽  
The Sundarbans

AbstractTigers Panthera tigris face a wide and complex array of threats. Given limited time and resources it is essential to direct conservation actions based on the relative importance of each threat. The Sundarbans Reserve Forest is the last stronghold of tigers in Bangladesh and supports one of the largest populations of tigers in the world. As in other tiger landscapes, the threats faced by the tigers have yet to be assessed. This study follows an approach developed by The Nature Conservancy to identify and prioritize threats and set a time-frame for their reduction. We identified a total of 23 threats; four were linked to tigers, two to prey and 17 to habitat. Of the identified threats, the highest ranked included poaching of tigers, poaching of prey, sea-level rise, upstream water extraction/divergence, wood collection, fishing, and harvesting of other aquatic resources. All threats were then scheduled for reduction, based on the rank and current information base for each threat and the likely time-frame for implementing potential solutions. This study demonstrates how the application of a prioritization framework can greatly improve the focus and likelihood of success of any species- or ecosystem-based conservation programme.

scholarly journals Utility of a psychological framework for carnivore conservation

Oryx ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil H. Carter ◽  
Shawn J. Riley ◽  
Jianguo Liu
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Carnivore Conservation ◽  
Carnivore Species ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Tiger Population

AbstractConserving threatened carnivore species increasingly depends on the capacity of local people to cohabit with those species. To examine such capacity we developed a novel psychological framework for conservation in regions of the world where there are human–carnivore conflicts, and used the Endangered tiger Panthera tigris to explore the utility of this framework. Specifically, we tested three hypotheses in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, where increasing human–tiger conflicts potentially jeopardize long-term coexistence. We administered a survey to 499 individuals living < 2 km from the Park and in nearby multiple-use forest, to record preferred future tiger population size and factors that may influence preferences, including past interactions with tigers (e.g. livestock predation) and beliefs and perceptions about tigers. Over 17% of respondents reported that a tiger had attacked their livestock or threatened them directly. Results from a structural equation model indicated that respondents who preferred fewer tigers in the future were less likely to associate tigers with beneficial attributes, more likely to associate tigers with undesirable attributes, and more likely to believe that government officials poorly manage tiger-related risks and that people are vulnerable to risks from tigers. Our framework can help address current and future conservation challenges because it (1) integrates an expansive and generalized set of psychological concepts, (2) enables the identification of conservation interventions that foster coexistence between people and carnivores, and (3) is suitable for broad application.

scholarly journals Estimating the Potential Impact of Canine Distemper Virus on the Amur Tiger Population (Panthera tigris altaica) in Russia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e110811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Gilbert ◽  
Dale G. Miquelle ◽  
John M. Goodrich ◽  
Richard Reeve ◽  
Sarah Cleaveland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Canine Distemper Virus ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Amur Tiger ◽  
Canine Distemper ◽  
Panthera Tigris Altaica ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Tiger Population

scholarly journals Orthopteran insects as potential and preferred preys of the Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) in Hungary

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gergely Szövényi
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Management ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Food Composition ◽  
Prey Preference ◽  
Quantitative Composition ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Gryllus Campestris ◽  
Field Works ◽  
Preferred Species ◽  
Falco Vespertinus

Abstract Orthopterans play an important role in Red-footed Falcon diet, however, most studies focus only on its qualitative food composition, and less on quantitative composition and preferences of the taxa identified as prey. During the present research, an extensive orthopterological investigation was carried out in the Red-footed Falcon study area, Vásárhelyi Plain (SE-Hungary) between 2006 and 2008. Grasshoppers were sampled in their main habitats by sweep netting and pitfall trapping, and orthopterans were identified in the food remnants collected from the nests, both artificial and natural ones. 26 species were detected during the field works, 18 species from the food remnants. Altogether 32 species were identified. Prey preference values for all species for each year were calculated. More than two thirds of the identified preys were Decticus verrucivorus, and nearly 20% were Tettigonia viridissima. Other common prey species were Melanogryllus desertus, Platycleis affinis, Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa, Calliptamus italicus and Gryllus campestris. Based on the prey preference analysis, the most preferred species was Decticus verrucivorus with extreme high values, and the other preferred ones, overlapping with the previous list, were Platycleis affinis, Bicolorana bicolor, Tettigonia viridissima, Calliptamus italicus and Roeseliana roeselii. These results may help in the development of Red-footed Falcon-friendly habitats through the application of habitat management favourable for the preferred prey species.

scholarly journals Indirect Evidences of Wildlife Activities in Shoals of Western Ghats, a Biodiversity Hotspots

2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. e-33-e-39
Author(s):  
Manjari Jain ◽  
Singha Utpal ◽  
S. Mukhopadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Western Ghat ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspots ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Cuon Alpinus ◽  
Wild Fauna ◽  
Spatial Differences ◽  
Panthera Tigris Tigris ◽  
Wild Dog

Indirect Evidences of Wildlife Activities in Shoals of Western Ghats, a Biodiversity HotspotsThe presence of wildlife fauna and its activities were ascertained with the density of the scat, dung and other markings or droppings of the wildlife abode therein. Attempt was made to find out spatial differences in the activities of the wildlife populations and to comment on the abundance of different preys and predators within shola forests of Western Ghat hill forests, a Biodiversity hotspot in India. An indirect sampling method, Transect Count Method, was employed to count dung/pellet group/scat and other markings in that area. Pachyderms were found to be mostly dominant in Varagaliar and Punnumala shola patches while scats of all the three important predators, viz., tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), Indian wild dog (Cuon alpinus) and leopard (Panthera pardus) were encountered only in Varagaliar shola. Greater abundance was recorded from Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary than Silent Valley National Park may be because of the restriction of animal movements in the former due to topographical barriers and its existence as isolated shola patches that led to a greater concentration of wild fauna in a relatively segregated forest cover.

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