A two-day survey, which concluded on Thursday, revealed a large presence of feral cattle in Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary. If found posing a threat to the wild animals in the sanctuary, they could be culled, sanctuary authorities said.
Feral cattle are domesticated animals — cow and bison — that were sent for grazing in the forest long back. Over the years, they made the sanctuary their habitat. Though they are wild in nature, feral cattle are not protected under the Wildlife (protection) Act 1972.
The survey was conducted at Vellackamaly, Vairamony and Konnakuzhy by a 30-member team under Mahesh Mohan, Assistant Professor, School of Environment Science,
Mahatma Gandhi University and co-ordinated by ornithologist R. Sugathan. The feral cattle were mostly trapped inside the sanctuary after the Idukki dam was constructed.
The sanctuary hosts the largest number of feral cattle in Kerala now — over 250 cattle as per the survey. Whether the cattle pose a threat to the wild population in the sanctuary could be analysed only on the basis of their population density and habitat features, Mr. Mohan said .
The number of wild animals such as sambar deer and mouse deer, the main competitors for food, was found less. However, the presence of large number of calves showed that the population of feral cattle was on an upward growth.
Idukki Wildlife Warden P.R. Suresh said an impact study would be conducted soon, after when a decision on culling would be taken. He said the habitat pattern of wild animals too needed to be analysed.
