Abstract
Reliable population estimate of apex predators, such as the Leopard Panthera pardus fusca, is important as they indicate ecosystem health, enable evaluation of the effectiveness of conservation efforts and provide a benchmark for future management decisions. The present study is the first to estimate abundance of Leopard along with possible prey profile in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS), in central Madhya Pradesh (M.P.), India. For systematic sampling, two study habitats, 15km² each, were identified, one close to the park entrance and the other away from the park entrance. Sampling was carried out between March and April 2017, for a period of 18 days in each of the two study habitats, ‘good’ and ‘poor’, initially based on situation in reference to park-entry. Each habitat was divided into five blocks each, and each block subdivided into three, 1km² observation units. In all, 16 trail cameras were placed in pairs, one set at a time in five of the blocks, over a six–day period. The total sampling effort was 180 trap-nights. The trigger speed was set to 3 frames per 10 seconds, and repeated only after 20 minutes interval on infra-red detection of object. The data was analysed using closed population capture–recapture analyses in Program MARK, to estimate Leopard abundance. Seventy-eight Leopard detections representing eight unique individuals were found in the 30km² study site. Seven Leopards were detected in the good habitat and one in the poor habitat. The estimate for Leopard abundance for the good habitat was 11 Leopards (SE 4.6, 95% CI = 8 – 31 individuals). Due to limited captures/recaptures in the poor habitat, abundance could not be estimated for this habitat class.
Highlights
The Kuno watershed and the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) form an important stepping-stone ecosystem between the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, the Madhav and the Panna national parks, in Madhya Pradesh, India (Johnsingh et al 2007)
A solitary male tiger was recorded in the sanctuary after it moved into Kuno from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in December 2010 (Sharma et al 2013)
In the good study habitat, on the basis of the rosette patterns on the right and left flanks, a total of six Leopards were identified and one Leopard was identified on the Leopard Days 1
Summary
The Kuno watershed and the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) form an important stepping-stone ecosystem between the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, the Madhav and the Panna national parks, in Madhya Pradesh, India (Johnsingh et al 2007). Kuno was known to support populations of both the Bengal Tiger Panthera tigris and Asiatic Lions Panthera leo persica (Kinnear, 1920). Lions have been extirpated from Kuno in the last century due to excessive hunting (Kinnear 1920), and in recent years, poaching is one of the prime threats to the survival of Leopards and tigers in India (Wildlife Protection Society of India, 2017). A solitary male tiger was recorded in the sanctuary after it moved into Kuno from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in December 2010 (Sharma et al 2013). KWLS is one of the sites selected for Asiatic Lion reintroduction (Johnsingh et al 2007). There is always a possibility that the tiger population may grow as more animals immigrate into the sanctuary from the neighbouring Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (Sharma et al 2013). No published studies could be traced by the authors on Leopard abundance in KWLS
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
