Mortality of Wild Animals in Road Accidents in Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan, India

2004·1.9 MB·

by  Anil Kumar Chhangani

i
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
BARKING DEERMUNTIACUSMUNTJAKIN MUNDANTHURAI,TAMILNADU
4.
A noteby Ray etal. (2000) statesthattheauthors nice neem plants, thanks to the Barking Deer”. Sandal
saw Barking Deer once in Deer Valley, and twice in was raised with neem as hosts; Barking Deer nibbled
Kadayam,thatBarkingDeerhadapparentlymoved into off sandal seedlings, leaving the neem plants alone
Deer Valley from Kadayam and are new additions to (Jeyadev 1973).
the fauna ofthe Mundanthurai Sanctuary. I had taken Dr. Krishnaswamy with Dr. Mural
Barking Deer is acommon nocturnal ofthe Deer Chandrasekaran to Kannikatty Forest Rest house in
Valley. When I was Warden, Mundanthurai, I named 1977. We had seen a Barking Deer, the darker variety,
the area Deer Valley, as four deer species, i.e. Spotted opposite a Gluta travancorica sample plot established
Deer, Sambar, Barking Deer and Mouse Deer were in 1914. Dr. Krishnaswamy has recorded this in the
seen there. Forest Rest House book (Entry for 1997).
The Forest Working Plans ofLasrado, Rajasingh Barkingdeer is not anew addition tothe faunaof
andWilson refertoBarkingDeer. J. Wilsonwritesabout theSanctuary. Itwasalwaysthere. Whiletheexcitement
thelongtongueoftheBarkingDeer.Besides,oldshooting of seeing an animal for the first time in the wild is
records, a wildlife map of Mundanthurai by M.A. understandable, authors are advised to refrain from
Badshah, and the Tiger Reserve Proposal to the rushing to hurried conclusions, like this imaginary
Government ofIndia by Saroj Raj Choudhry mention mammalian movement.
thisdeer’s presence in the area. Choudhry (1984)did a
MANGALARAJ JOHNSON
pelletgroup samplingofDeerValley. February26, 2003 J.
In 1973,T. Jeyadev,ChiefConservator,on seeing 4, Shiv Apts, 759, 65th Street,
thefootprintsanddroppingsofbarkingdeerinafenced 10th Sector, K.K. Nagar,
and failed sandalwood plot in Koiltheri in his field Chennai 600078,
inspection notes wrote succinctly, “We, however, have TamilNadu, India.
REFERENCES
Choudhry, S.R. (1984): MundanthuraiTigerReserveProposals. A Ray,Jayanti,JustusJoshua&J. Ronald(2000):Sightingofbarking
report to the Government ofIndia. deer (Muntiacus miintjac) in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger
Jeyadev,T.(1973):KoiltheriSandalwoodPlantationJournal.Chief Reserve,Tamil Nadu.J. Bombaynat. Hist. Soc. 97(1): 139-
ConservatorofForests field inspection notes. 140.
5. MORTALITY OF WILD ANIMALS IN ROAD ACCIDENTS
IN KUMBHALGARH WILDLIFESANCTUARY, RAJASTHAN, INDIA
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over (Buteamonosperma). Theundergrowth mainlyconsists
585 sq. km, and lies between 20° 5' - 23° 3'N, and ofjharber (Zizyphus nummularia), adusa (Adhatoda
73° 15' - 73° 45' E, c. 200 km south ofJodhpur in the zeylanica), gangan (Grewia tenex), franger (Grewia
west Aravalli hills of Rajasthan, India (Fig. 1). The flavescens), kanter (Capparis sepiaria), and lantana.
altitude varies from c. 274 to 849 m above msl. The Some climbers and grasses are also found.
Sanctuary ischaracterized byadistinctwinter, summer Themain faunaofthe Sanctuary includesLeopard
and monsoon. During summer, the temperature (Panthera pardus). Hyena (Hyaena hyaena). Wolf
fluctuates between 30 and 35 °C, and may reach 46 °C (Canis lupus), Jackal (Canis aureus), Sloth Bear
during May and June. The mean wintertemperature is (Melursusursinus),Four-horned Antelope(Tetracerus
5 °C; itmaygodown to2 °C duringDecember-January. quadricornis), Chinkara (Gazella bennettii),
Average annual rainfall is recorded as 725 mm, while Porcupine (Hystrix indica), Sambar (Cervus
the minimum is403 mm and maximum is950 mm. unicolor), Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus).
The forest is mainly dry deciduous or woodland Common Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus).
type,dominatedbygoryadhawa Anogeissuslatifolia Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), Fox (Vulpes bengalensis).
( ),
salar Boswellia serrata), gol Lannea Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and Rock Python
( (
coromandelica), kherni Wrightia tinctoria), dhawa (Python molurus).
(
(Anogeissuspendula), kumbat (AcaciaSenegal), khair Road kill data was collected during a long-term
(Acaciacatechu), ber(Zizyphus mauritiana),and dhak studyontheeco-behavioural diversityofthe Hanuman
J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (1), Jan.-Apr. 2004 151
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
werecommon alongsharpturns,slopes,nearwaterholes
and on small tracks, which were preferred by animals
for crossing roads. Altogether 43 species of animals
were found killed in roadaccidents.Ofthese,49%were
birds, 39.5% were mammals and 1 1.5% were reptiles.
The most common victim was the Hanuman langur,
followed by the common palm civet and squirrel
(Funambulus pennanti).
Dovesandbabblerswerethecommonbirdspecies
in the road kills (Table 1). Ofthe total reptile kills, the
Checkered Keelback (Xenochrophispiscator) was the
mainvictim.
Maximum road kills (13.9%) were observed in
August during monsoon and minimum (3.2%) in June
duringsummer. Fewerroadkillswererecordedbetween
January and July (Fig. 2).
Some vehicle - animal collisions also involve
material damage and human casualties. Ninecollisions
between vehicles and blue bull were recorded during
thisstudy. In several accidents,thedriverssuccessfully
avoided hittingan animal, but intheprocess lostcontrol
of the vehicle. On an average, one animal collision
occurred every month on the roads in and around the
Sanctuary. Deliberate killingofanimals bydriverswas
also recorded.
The most commonly killed mammals were
nocturnal species, like common palm civet andjackal.
Fig. 1: Location of Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Wildboarandbluebull usuallygotkilledintheevenings
in the Aravalli Hills when they crossed the road, as they moved out ofthe
Sanctuary to raid crop fields (Chhangani and Mohnot
Langur (Semnopithecus entellus) in and around 1997).
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Two state highways Home ranges of the study troops of Hanuman
(about 25 km long) and 3 ancillary roads (30 km long) Langurcrossoverthehighway locatedinourstudyarea.
pass through the Sanctuary. Between December 1995 Road accidents have also been observed in other study
and August 1999, while drivingon the highway to and sitesbyMohnot(1974),Rajpurohit(1987),Agoramoorthy
from the study area, the location and species ofeach (1987),Chhangani and Mohnot(1997), and Rajpurohit
road kill was recorded. Occasionally, road kills were andChhangani (1997).
also reported by forest officials and drivers. This Large numbers ofHanuman Langur are killed in
information wasverified and included inthe study. The road accidents. Ofthe total langurs killed, about 25%
recording efforts remained more or less constant werevictims ofroad accidents (Chhangani 2000). The
throughout the study. Road kills generally dis- world famous Ranakpur temple is visited by a large
appeared from the road within a few hours to a day, number oftourists, who offer food to langurs, which
with scavengers operating in the area. This study is keepclosetothetemple(Chhangani2000). Thelangurs
limited to larger animals, like mammals, birds and expectfood from every passingvehicle, sotheydo not
reptiles,thoughfrogand invertebratekillswerecommon. give way to speeding vehicles, and are killed by them.
Duringthe tourist season and monsoon, the numberof Provisioningoflangursalongthe roads iscommondue
road accidents was high. To estimate the percent to religious sentiments. Many times, during fights and
mortality, the monthly road kills were calculated from otherinteractionsbetween bisexualtroopsandall-male
thedatacollected during December 1995 to December bands, these animals while running and chasing each
1998. other suddenly come in front ofa vehicle, get hit and
A total of374 road kills (Table were observed often die instantaneously.
1 )
and recorded in and around Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Langurs also use the roads for walking, running
Sanctuary. Ofthese, 80% occurred on highways. They and foragingforvegetation alongthe roadside. Besides,
152 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (1), Jan.-Apr. 2004
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Table 1: Animal kills recorded in road accidents in Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary from December 1995 to 1998
Common name Scientific Name Nos. Common name Scientific Name Nos.
Killed Killed
Mammals
1. Leopard Panthera pardus 2 5. Rock Bush-quail Perdicula argoondah 2
2. Hyena Hyaena hyaena 1 6. Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii 5
3. Jackal Cams aureus 12 7. Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus 6
4. Blue Bull Boselaphus tragocamelus 6 8 Blue Rock Pigeon Columba livia 5
5. Wild Boar Sus scrofa 3 9. Indian Ring Dove Streptopelia decaocto 16
6. Wolf Canis lupus 1 10. Red Collared-dove Streptopelia tranquebarica 8
7. Fox Vulpes bengalensis 5 11. Little Brown Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 12
8. Common Paradoxurus 24 12. Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis 6
Palm Civet hermaphroditus 13. Common Caprimulgus asiaticus 2
9. Jungle Cat Felis chaus 6 Indian Nightjar
10. Hanuman Langur Semnopithecus entellus 29 14. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 3
11. Common Herpestes edwardsi 4 15. House Crow Corvus splendens 9
Mongoose 16. Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchos 2
12 Small Indian Herpestes javamcus 5 17. Common Babbler Turdoides caudatus 14
Mongoose 18. Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus 6
13. Squirrel Funambulus pennanti 20 19. Pied Bush-chat Saxicola caprata 8
14. Indian Gerbil Tatera indica 10 20. Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata 2
15. Field Mouse Mus platythrix 14 21. House Sparrow Passer domesticus 12
16. Indian Hare Lepus mgricollis 5 Total 144
17. House Mouse Mus musculus 8
Total 155 Reptiles
1. Common Varanus bengalensis 25
Birds Indian Monitor
1. Long-billed Gyps mdicus 4 2. Monitor Varanus sp. 4
Vulture (unidentified)
2. Indian Gyps bengalensis 7 3. Indian Cobra Naja naja 5
White-backed 4. Cat Snake Boiga trigonata 12
Vulture 5. Checkered Xenochrophis piscator 29
3. Grey Francolin Francolmus pondicerianus 9 Keelback
4. Common Quail Coturnlx coturnix 6 Total 75
these busy roads help them to avoid predators, like the road. They are attracted to the seeds and grains that
Panther, Wolfand Jackal that usually avoid comingon fall from transport vehicles, and dead insects and ants
the roads in the day. crushed on the roads during monsoon. Birds are run
Amongstbirds,dovesand babblersweretheworst overorhitwhentakingoffsuddenly. A largeproportion
affected (38% oftotal kills) as they usually feed on the (16%) of birds killed were vultures and crows. These
scavengersgethitwhilefeedingondead animalson the
road. Amongthe reptiles, the Checkered Keelback are
most affected. They are killed in the monsoon mostly
on roads and near water holes, because of their
amphibious habit(R.C. Sharma pers. comm.). Theroad
kill problems ofKumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary are
similartothose in Spain and in African protected areas
(Lopez 1993, Lopezand Roviralta 1993, Broekhuysen
1965, Lewis 1989, Drews 1991).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Months
Fig. 2: Percent road kills in different months in and around ThisstudyisapartoftheIndo-US PrimateProject,
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (Dec. 1995 to Dec. 1998) a collaborative programme of the Ministry of
1 Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (1), Jan.-Apr. 2004 153
.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Environmentand Forests,GovernmentofIndia,andthe Assistants, fortheirsupportduringthisstudy.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Grant Agreement No.
INT/FWS-22). I would liketothank Prof. S.M. Mohnot, April 18,2002 ANIL KUMAR CHHANGANI
Director, Indo-US Primate Project and the State Forest Indo-US Primate Project
Departmentstaffand officialsofKumbhalgarh Wildlife DepartmentofZoology,JNV University,
Sanctuary,especiallyA.C.F. Shri LalitSingh Ranawat, Jodhpur342 005, Rajasthan,India.
and Shri Sukhdave and Shri Madan Mali, Field Email: [email protected]
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langur, Presbytisentellus. Ph D. Thesis. JodhpurUniversity. yMedioAmbiente,AsociacionTecnicadeCarreteras(AIPCR),
Brockhuysen,G. (1965): Ananalysisofbirdcasualtiesontheroad Madrid.
in the southwestern Cape Province, South Africa. L'Oiseau. Lopez, J. & F. Roviralta (1993): Banco de datos y centra de
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Chhangani, A.K. (2000): Ecobehavioural diversity of langurs. carreteras. In: II SimposiaNacional sobreCarreterasy Medio
Presbytisentelluslivingindifferentecosystems. Unpublished Ambiente.AsociacionTecnicadeCarreteras(AIPCR),Madrid.
Ph.D. Thesis. TNV University, Jodhpur. Mohnot,S.M.(1974):EcologyandbehaviourofthecommonIndian
Chhangani, A.K. & S.M. Mohnot (1997): Kumbhalgarh Wildlife langur,Presbytisentellus. Ph.D.thesis.UniversityofJodhpur,
Sanctuary under stress. Nat. Symp. Public Participation Env. Jodhpur.
Protection. Dec. 1997. JNV University, Jodhpur. Pp. 15. Rajpurohit,L.S.(1987):MaleSocialOrganisationinHanumanlangur
Drews, C. (1991): Road kills in Mikumi National Park. Miombo. (Presbytisentellus).Ph.D.thesis.UniversityofJodhpur,Jodhpur.
Newsl. Wild. Cons. Soc., Tanzania 7:6-7. Rajpurohit, L.S. & A.K. Chhangani (1997): Males’ number
Lewis,A.D. (1989): Road killsandotherrecordsofmainlysmaller decreasinginlangurs(Presbytisentellus)aroundJodhpur(India).
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Afr.Nat Hist.Soc. Bull. 19:20-22. Ecology:CausesandConsequencesofVariationintheMembers
Lopez, J. (1993): Metodologia yresulyados del proyecto de ofMalesPerGroup,GermanPrimateCentre(DPZ),Goettingen
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GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE AQUILA CLANGA PALLAS AND NORTHERN SHOVELLER
6. —
ANAS CLYPEATA LINN. TWO RARE RECORDS FROM KERALA
On January 11, 2001, while conducting the Theonlypublished record oftheGreaterSpotted
waterfowl census at the Kattampally wetlands near Eagle in Kerala is a single undated sighting by
Kannur, a Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga was Srivastavaetal. (1995),quotedbyBirdLifeInternational
seen. The raptor was observed for almost one hour, in (2001).
good light, as it soared overhead. It was a dark brown At Kattampally, on March 27, 2001, 4 male
bird having broad wings with splayed out primaries, Northern Shovellers Anas clypeata were spotted by
underwing-covertsdarkerthantheflightfeathers,white P.C. Rajeevan and the author among a group ofmore
spotsontheupperwingformingathinwingbarandwhite than 500 Garganey Anas querquedula and Northern
uppertail-coverts.Thesefeaturessuggestedthatthebird Pintail Anas acuta.
wasan immature. Theauthorisfamiliarwiththisspecies An earlyrecord ofthisspeciesfrom Kerala isthat
with manysightingsatBharatpur. Kattampally isoneof ofa specimen received by A.O. Hume from Wynaad
the major wetlands of Kerala and hosts large (Kinnearand Whistler 1930).
congregationsofmigratoryand residentwater-fowl. On
November 20, 1998,theauthoralongwithN.K. Satyan April 2,2002 C. SASHI KUMAR
had seen a soaring Aquila eagle being mobbed by a 9, SubhashNagar,
Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus but specific Kannur670002,
,
identification wasnot possibleastheraptorwastoofar Kerala, India.
away.
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Kinnear,NormanB.&H. Whistler(1930): "TheVcrnayscientificsurveyoftheEasternGhats.OrnithologicalSection’. PartXVI.J. Bombay
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154 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (1), Jan.-Apr. 2004