Abstract

Noninvasive camera traps are commonly used to detect mammals in the Neotropics, but few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of this technique for species inventories. Forty-three line-transect surveys along with photo-identification and automated acoustic monitoring methods were carried out between August 2014 and March 2016 to gather baseline information on the occurrence and distribution of mammals in Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR). During the survey, forty mammalian species were identified in the reserve, of which 25 were photo captured and 15 were confirmed through trophies and direct sighting. It includes 6 endangered species, 1 Data deficient, 1 Lower risk, 11 Vulnerable species, 5 Nearthreatened and 16 least concern species as per IUCN Red list, 2010. The majority of trapped was Ursus thibetanus, Helarctos malayanus, Neofelis nebulosa, Bos gaurus, Sus scrofta, Rusa unicolor, Hystrix indica and Atherurus marourus. The trap index of different locations shows the distribution of mammals in New Chika (40.57%), Old Chika (19.04%), Malpui (22.85%), Tuilut (21.5%), Tuichar (12.63%), IR camp (33.33%) and Pathloi (6.25%). Sus scrofta (16.26 %) were found to be the most abundant mammalian species in the area. The activity pattern indicates a large carnivorous preferring evening or late at night. The duo of Asiatic black bear and Malayan sun bear were mostly photos captured from 4.00-10.00 pm and 4.00-8.00 am respectively. Small carnivorous were found to be active during 6-12.00 pm. The study depicts that the use of camera traps, monitoring programs, and local information can help to estimate precise information on the abundance and distribution of mammals in the reserve which indeed may serve for long term conservation of the animal species.

Keywords: Activity pattern; Dampa tiger reserve; Distribution; Mammals; Photo capture

Abbreviations: DTR: Dampa Tiger Reserve; GIS: Geographic Information System; LID: Latency to Initial Detection; RAI: Relative Abundance Index; DAI: Daily Activity Index