Post on 12-Jul-2015
transcript
Using A “Bagh Heralu” Network Using A “Bagh Heralu” Network To Map The Metapopulation To Map The Metapopulation Structure Of Tigers In NepalStructure Of Tigers In Nepal
Bhim GurungBhim Gurung
J. L. David SmithJ. L. David Smith
Mahendra ShresthaMahendra Shrestha
University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota
Management• Reserves were established in
the1970s and 1980s
Research• Behavior & life histories• Social Structure• Impact on Prey• Lifetime reproduction• Dispersal• Communication
Previous Tiger Conservation and Research in Nepal
Is there an adequate land base to support Is there an adequate land base to support tigers?tigers?
• Reserve range from 300 – 1500 km2
• These support 16 to 50 breeding adults• Are these viable population sizes?
• We don’t know because we can not predict the effects of:– Disease outbreaks in tiger and prey populations
or catastrophic events, e.g., floods– Inbreeding depression
– Furthermore we do not even have models for the interaction of these factors
Basic conservation theory suggests that Basic conservation theory suggests that larger connected reserves increases larger connected reserves increases population viabilitypopulation viability
– There are extensive lowland forests in Nepal, unfortunately these forests have become fragmented and degraded
– Tigers occurred in these forests, but the extend of use was not known
The goal of our research was to evaluate The goal of our research was to evaluate the role of national forest lands as tiger the role of national forest lands as tiger habitathabitat
Specific objectives were:– To assess the connectivity among the
protected areas populations– To determine if breeding occurs outside
of protected areas– To establish a community-based
network of “Bagh Heralu” to accomplish the above objectives
MethodsMethods
Establishing Network of “Bagh Heralu”
Training and Capacity Building for “Bagh Heralu”
Pugmark MeasurementPugmark Measurement
Determination of Tiger and Determination of Tiger and Leopard PugmarkLeopard Pugmark
Pad width Total Length Front Rear Rear
Tiger ≥ 8.5 cm ≥ 7.5 cm >12 cm
Leopard < 7.0 cm < 6.0 cm < 10 cm
Criteria Used to Determine Tiger or Criteria Used to Determine Tiger or Leopard KillLeopard Kill
• Pugmark size
• Large prey size
• Large / Deep canine mark
• Drag mark • Ribs bones
broken
Determination of Tiger KillDetermination of Tiger Kill
Ribs bone well chewed
The Criteria Used for Breeding HabitatThe Criteria Used for Breeding Habitat
When female and cub pugmarks are
observed together.
Field MethodologyField Methodology
Villagers report livestockVillagers report livestockkills to the “Bagh Heralu”kills to the “Bagh Heralu”Together they visit the Together they visit the site and investigate the site and investigate the kill and measure kill and measure pugmarkspugmarks
To Provide Quality To Provide Quality ControlControl
Coordinators visit each
“Heralu” monthly to:– Confirm data
– And record location
38
85
12
91
8
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Tiger Leopard
Nu
mb
er o
f do
mes
tic a
nim
als
kille
d
Adult Buffalo
Cattle
Calf/Goat/Pig
DiscussionDiscussion
Corridors
– The corridor between Suklaphanta and Bardia has potential to be restored because the current gap is relatively short (22 km)
– The gap between Bardia and Chitwan is wide (55 km) and has the city of Butwal in the middle which creates a strong barrier to tiger dispersal
Discussion (cont.)Discussion (cont.)
Breeding Habitat– 3 breeding areas were identified – Even with further habitat restoration
these areas may remain sinks – However, a weak sink & stable source
may result in a larger more stable population than the source population alone
– Tiger source-sink dynamics are poorly understood and need further investigation
Social Aspects of the StudySocial Aspects of the Study
“Bagh Heralu” is a new approach– They have a strong professional pride about
their work– The project increased their understanding of
tiger biology and conservation issues– We hypothesize and plan to examine if local
villagers also have increased understanding of tigers and conservation issues
Future Directions of ResearchFuture Directions of Research
• Expand the duties of “Bagh Heralu” to include prey assessment
Future Conservation NeedsFuture Conservation Needs
• Strengthen community based conservation by empowering “Bagh Heralu” biodiversity monitoring system
• Joint training and monitoring of carnivore and prey survey by forest guards and “Bagh Heralu”
• Explore source sink dynamics and livestock
grazing practices
THANK YOUTHANK YOU
THANK YOUTHANK YOU