Distribution of Stripe-Necked Mongoose Herpestes Vitticollis by Camera Trapping in Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha

Introduction

Stripe-necked Mongoose Herpestes vitticollis, the largest mongoose in Asia, is found in southwest India and Sri Lanka [1]. In India; its stronghold is believed to be the forested Western Ghat [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. However, there is a report well outside the range of other records, from Horsley Konda (tentative location 13 39N, 78 25 E: perhaps about 750 m asl) in the Eastern ghat [7]. As a sight-record without specimen Allen himself expected, in keeping with the norms of the time, that his observation would be taken as unconfirmed. Thus, it was not mentioned even in Pocock’s [2] comprehensive review. Van Rompaey, Jayakumar, et al. [5] considered Allen’s record doubtful on grounds of habitat. Much further northeast, the species was reported by Mishra, et al. [8] from the state of Orissa. They considered it restricted in the state to similipal Distribution of Stripe-Necked Mongoose Herpestes Vitticollis by Camera Trapping in Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha forest of Mayurbhanj district and Bhitarkanika Mangroves of kendrapara districts. A later review of Orissa’s small Carnivores Acharjyo [9] doubted these reports given that specimen were not obtained. Nor has the species found a place in the check-list of similipal Tiger Reserve [10]. Hence as of now, it is thought to be confined in India to the Western Ghats [1, 6].

Methodology

The Success of camera-trapping depends on the selection of ideal locations to deploy the camera traps so as to maximize the number of captures. Prior to camera placement, survey is done along the forest paths, animal trails, dirt-trackers, dried stream bed to record carnivore presence through indirect signs (pug marks, tracks, scat, scraps, rake marks, scent deposits and kills). Potential location of camera trap stations were then mapped using ArcGIS 9.3. Camera trapping exercise lasted from February2016 to May 2016 for 119 days. The cameras were active 24h period that accounted for one sampling occasion. Each camera was assigned a unique identification number, Date, time and camera ID was Mishra SR, et al. Distribution of Stripe-Necked Mongoose Herpestes Vitticollis by Camera Trapping in Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha. Int J Zoo Animal Biol 2019, 2(1): 000136.

recorded for every capture. The locations of each capture of stripe necked mongoose was recorded and mapped over similipal Tiger reserve to understand their geographic distribution in the study area..

Result & Discussion

During All Odisha Tiger Estimation in Similipal TR between February 2016 to May 2016 Stipe-necked Mongoose was captured in different places in Similipal Tiger Reserve. Total fourty numbers of Photo captured during the exercise covering the three ranges in Similipal Tiger reserve. Highest (27) numbers of photo captured in Upper barakamuda range followed by (09) numbers in Jenabil Range and (04) numbers in National park range of Copyright© Mishra SR, et al.

similipal. The primary habitat of the Stripe-necked Mongoose is deciduous forest (both dry and moist) and ever green forest, plantations and scrub, favoring swampy areas or those close to water courses. It prefers hilly country and has been recorded up to 2,200m.The study area varied from dry deciduous and moist deciduous to semi-ever green. The present records of Stripe-necked Mongoose were in moist deciduous forest and semi-ever green forest patches where human disturbance is minimal. Apart from Camera trap photographs most of the direct sightings were during day light near hill streams and the animals crossed forest roads (Table 1 & Figure 2).

Mishra SR, et al. Distribution of Stripe-Necked Mongoose Herpestes Vitticollis by Camera Trapping in Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha. Int J Zoo Animal Biol 2019, 2(1): 000136.

Copyright© Mishra SR, et al.

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Conclusion

Small Carnivore species cannot be Surveyed using direct sighting since they are usually elusive , rare and often nocturnal or sign such as tracks and scat since sign of several sized species cannot be unambiguously identified to species. From different survey it was observed that mongooses are hunted for food and medicines.