Status, Population Structure and Conservation of Swamp Deer (Cervus duvauceli duvauceli) in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh, India

摘要

We studied status, distribution, social organization and the conservation problems faced by endangered swamp deer (Cervus duvuaceli duvuaceli) in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR). We estimated total population to be 1016 (578 in Dudhwa National Park (DNP) and 438 in Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS)). The mean group size in DNP and KWS was 21.40±1.71 and 11.89+1.72, respectively. Overall mean group size in DTR was 18.37±1.71 animals/group. Group size showed significant difference across difference habitat types (F = 28.3,d.f. = 2, P＜0.01). Adult females formed major share of population in the study area. The male: female: fawn ratio in DNP and KWS was 57:100:28 and 62:100:19, respectively. Overall sex ratio in DTR was 58:100:26. All male groups were larger than female groups but the group size was highest for mixed groups. The major threat to swamp deer conservation throughout DTR is the destruction of its habitat and illegal poaching. As a result, it has become locally extinct from many areas. We recommend restriction on grass cutting in Satiana area, creation of some artificial taals (swamp) for wallowing, protection of taals for aquatic vegetation, relocation of Ghola and Ghajrola villages and intensive patrolling of these areas during monsoons.