Using A “Bagh Heralu” Network Using A “Bagh Heralu” Network To Map The Metapopulation To Map The Metapopulation Structure Of Tigers In NepalStructure Of Tigers In Nepal

Bhim GurungBhim Gurung

J. L. David SmithJ. L. David Smith

Mahendra ShresthaMahendra Shrestha

University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota

Management• Reserves were established in

the1970s and 1980s

Research• Behavior & life histories• Social Structure• Impact on Prey• Lifetime reproduction• Dispersal• Communication

Previous Tiger Conservation and Research in Nepal

Is there an adequate land base to support Is there an adequate land base to support tigers?tigers?

• Reserve range from 300 – 1500 km2

• These support 16 to 50 breeding adults• Are these viable population sizes?

• We don’t know because we can not predict the effects of:– Disease outbreaks in tiger and prey populations

or catastrophic events, e.g., floods– Inbreeding depression

– Furthermore we do not even have models for the interaction of these factors

Basic conservation theory suggests that Basic conservation theory suggests that larger connected reserves increases larger connected reserves increases population viabilitypopulation viability

– There are extensive lowland forests in Nepal, unfortunately these forests have become fragmented and degraded

– Tigers occurred in these forests, but the extend of use was not known

The goal of our research was to evaluate The goal of our research was to evaluate the role of national forest lands as tiger the role of national forest lands as tiger habitathabitat

Specific objectives were:– To assess the connectivity among the

protected areas populations– To determine if breeding occurs outside

of protected areas– To establish a community-based

network of “Bagh Heralu” to accomplish the above objectives

MethodsMethods

Establishing Network of “Bagh Heralu”

Training and Capacity Building for “Bagh Heralu”

Pugmark MeasurementPugmark Measurement

Determination of Tiger and Determination of Tiger and Leopard PugmarkLeopard Pugmark

Pad width Total Length Front Rear Rear

Tiger ≥ 8.5 cm ≥ 7.5 cm >12 cm

Leopard < 7.0 cm < 6.0 cm < 10 cm

Criteria Used to Determine Tiger or Criteria Used to Determine Tiger or Leopard KillLeopard Kill

• Pugmark size

• Large prey size

• Large / Deep canine mark

• Drag mark • Ribs bones

broken

Determination of Tiger KillDetermination of Tiger Kill

Ribs bone well chewed

The Criteria Used for Breeding HabitatThe Criteria Used for Breeding Habitat

When female and cub pugmarks are

observed together.

Field MethodologyField Methodology

Villagers report livestockVillagers report livestockkills to the “Bagh Heralu”kills to the “Bagh Heralu”Together they visit the Together they visit the site and investigate the site and investigate the kill and measure kill and measure pugmarkspugmarks

To Provide Quality To Provide Quality ControlControl

Coordinators visit each

“Heralu” monthly to:– Confirm data

– And record location

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Adult Buffalo

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DiscussionDiscussion

Corridors

– The corridor between Suklaphanta and Bardia has potential to be restored because the current gap is relatively short (22 km)

– The gap between Bardia and Chitwan is wide (55 km) and has the city of Butwal in the middle which creates a strong barrier to tiger dispersal

Discussion (cont.)Discussion (cont.)

Breeding Habitat– 3 breeding areas were identified – Even with further habitat restoration

these areas may remain sinks – However, a weak sink & stable source

may result in a larger more stable population than the source population alone

– Tiger source-sink dynamics are poorly understood and need further investigation

Social Aspects of the StudySocial Aspects of the Study

“Bagh Heralu” is a new approach– They have a strong professional pride about

their work– The project increased their understanding of

tiger biology and conservation issues– We hypothesize and plan to examine if local

villagers also have increased understanding of tigers and conservation issues

Future Directions of ResearchFuture Directions of Research

• Expand the duties of “Bagh Heralu” to include prey assessment

Future Conservation NeedsFuture Conservation Needs

• Strengthen community based conservation by empowering “Bagh Heralu” biodiversity monitoring system

• Joint training and monitoring of carnivore and prey survey by forest guards and “Bagh Heralu”

• Explore source sink dynamics and livestock

grazing practices

THANK YOUTHANK YOU

THANK YOUTHANK YOU