Indian gaur flourishing in Kodaikanal sanctuary

Chennai: The Indian gaur continues to be the flagship species of the Kodaikanal wildlife sanctuary with the highest ecological density of 0.93 per square kilometre. This was revealed in the latest wildlife census report compiled by the Kodaikanal Forest division in coordination with volunteers and wildlife enthusiasts. Among the mammals, Indian gaur had been estimated with the highest ecological density, followed by wild boar and sambar deer with a density of 0.48 0.35 square kiolmetres respectively. Other mammals including black napped hare, wild dog, sloth bear, common langur, slender loris, porcupine and leopard were sighted less during the survey, read a January 2017 census report submitted to the Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary authorities.

According to Kodaikanal district forest officer K.Murugan, the direct and the water hole census taken by the department frontline staff and the volunteers was a back up census to check and analyse the previous findings. Compilation of the reports and further analysis is on to ascertain the quality of Kodaikanal forests and to recommend conservation plans, the DFO added.

Lead biologist of the census and the member of Sathyamangalam Tiger Conservation Authority, A. Kumaraguru said that a transact distance of 82 kms was covered by the frontline staff covering all the eight forest ranges of Kodiakanal wildlife sanctuary. Other lesser known animals were also sighted but in very low numbers.

Indirect evidence recorded was high in Berijam range with 112 signs, followed by 68 signs in Poombarai and Palani range. The highest incidence of signs being the excreta of different wild animals as scat (85), pellets (85) and dung (79) were also recorded, he said. Commenting about the flora, he said sholas were found isolated, fragmented but with a large geographical scale. To add to the complexity of the system, extensive plantations of wattle, acacia, pinus and eucalyptus were found throughout the sanctuary stressing the need for long term forest restoration, he said. The invasion by exotic grass and shrubs was also rampant in reserve pockets located close to Kodaikanal town.