Prey selection by Bengal Tiger Panthera tigris tigris (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) of Chitwan National Park, Nepal

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Published: Nov 26, 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2424.7.14.8081-8088
Keywords:
Panthera tigris, principal prey species, prey selection, scat analysis, tiger.

Main Article Content

Saneer Lamichhane
MSc in Environmental Science, Kathmandu University, Dhulikel, Nepal Environmental Safeguard Consultant, District Technical Office, Udayapur, Strengthening the National Rural Transport Program (SNRTP), Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Roads (DoLIDAR) Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD), Nepal
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2073-3864
Bibhuti Ranjan Jha
Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikel, Nepal
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7219-2441

Abstract

Prey selection by tiger in Chitwan National Park, Nepal was studied from 77 tiger scats that contained the remains of principal prey species.  The scats were collected from January to March 2010.  Government reports on herbivore population in Chitwan provided the base data on density of principal prey species.  In order to understand prey selectivity, the observed proportion of prey species in the scats were compared with the expected proportion derived from density estimates.  The observed scat frequency of Sambar, Hog Deer and Wild Boar was found to be greater than the estimated frequency, and the reverse was true for Chital and Muntjac.  The average weight of the principal prey species killed was 84 kg. According to our results, Chital and Sambar constituted the bulk (82.07%), and Hog Deer, Wild Boar, and Muntjac constituted 17.93% of the tiger diet.  Sambar contributed the largest bulk (43.75%) of prey composition, but Chital constituted the relatively most killed (50.36%) prey species.  The present study makes a contribution to an understanding of the status of prey composition in tiger scat in Chitwan during the year 2010.  The study also highlights that both large and medium sized prey are important for the conservation of tiger in Chitwan National Park.

 

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 7 No. 14 (2015)
Section
Communications

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Author Biographies

Saneer Lamichhane, MSc in Environmental Science, Kathmandu University, Dhulikel, Nepal Environmental Safeguard Consultant, District Technical Office, Udayapur, Strengthening the National Rural Transport Program (SNRTP), Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Roads (DoLIDAR) Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD), Nepal

Saneer Lamichhane is working as an Environmental Safeguard Consultant at Strengthening the National Rural Transportation Program. His research interest are in the field of threatened and endangered species conservation.

 

Bibhuti Ranjan Jha, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikel, Nepal

Dr. Bibhuti Ranjan Jha is a post-doc from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA. PhD under collaboration between Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal and University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. Academic-Research: ecology, wildlife, fish, river etc.

 

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