Camera Trap Study of Tigers
Tigers are the flag bearer of the conservation movement in India as well as an umbrella species. It protects other species under its cover, Keeping in mind these qualities of tigers and to protect their dwindling numbers Project Tiger was started in India in 1973with ecosystem approach. Tigers are top predator of forest ecosystem in India. For successful execution of any conservation program there is a need to know the population of the concerned animal. Earlier it was done by pugmark method for tigers, but after advent of advanced scientific techniques like Camera Trap we can accurately estimate the abundance of tigers in a given area.
Camera trap is a kind of tripping device which is based on infra red or heat sensor or heat sensor and if any animal comes in front or crossed this device it takes photo of that animal automatically. But camera trap studies is not as simple as described above, it involves lots of scientific procedure and statistical calculation. For the above purpose there are many kinds of camera trap equipments available in the market but in India device based on infrared and heat sensor is commonly used. Before installing CT, reconnaissance survey to examine the presence of tiger and prey signs (tracks, scraps, scent, scat etc.) must be done. After selecting the site aim is to place cameras correctly so that the tiger's both flanks are clearly visible in the photograph. The two cameras should be positioned about 7 meters apart, on both side of the road. For infrared units, Beam should be set 45 cm above the ground to catch all age categories. Every CT unit must be spaced about 1.5-2.0 km so that no tiger in any of the habitat condition left not photographed.
Any of the CT sample survey scheme must include two or more samples (depends upon the aim and study period). After getting all the photographs, the first step is to link the left and right flank of all the tigers. Then after all photographs should be match to identify individual tigers. Each tigers have unique stripe pattern, so it is easier to identify them by stripe pattern from both flanks even by facial mark also. After making database of each sampling occasion the capture histories of each tigers must be made, this capture history can be analyzed using computer program such as capture or Mark for estimating the numbers of tigers within the sampled area.
Vibhav Srivastav (Chief Naturalist at Chitvan)
Tiger Safari in Kanha Reservation Form
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