Status distribution and feeding habit of Wild Boar Sus scrofa (Mammalia: Artiodactyla: Suidae) in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

The Wild Boar Sus scrofa is omnivorous, serves as the prey base for large carnivores, performs the role of a natural scavenger, and is often involved in crop raiding.  The species is included in Schedule V of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, meaning hunting of the species may be allowed by the Chief Wildlife Warden in instances where individuals of the species are considered dangerous to human life or property.  Faecal samples of Wild Boar in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India, were collected from January to June 2013 to assess the distribution of Wild Boar in Karmajhiri range.  The density of Wild Boar in Sapath and Tikadi beat was 25.5±0.29 and 23.9±0.33 per hectare, respectively, and was the lowest in Teliya at 1.6±0.05 per hectare.  Sixteen different beats were sampled and surveyed to understand the diet of Wild Boar during the winter season.  Ingested items included stones, roots, grass, fruits and seeds, hairs, earthworms, flowers, and green plant material.  Out of these, the most frequent item was grass, followed by roots and stones.