The increased number of feral cattle poses a threat to wild animals in the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary as they could be carriers of diseases, besides they also compete for the limited grass resources.
The sanctuary, with an area of 108 sq km, including the 33 sq km Idukki reservoir, hosts one of the largest feral cattle population. The feed pattern of the feral cattle and other wildlife in the sanctuary is similar and a starvation-like situation would endanger the wild animals, according to a study conducted last year.
Feral cattle consist of bulls, cows, buffaloes and she-buffaloes sent for grazing in the sanctuary, which then made the sanctuary their permanent habitat. Though the animals are wild in nature, they are not scheduled as wild animals in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
In groups
The feral cattle move in groups and run away from human presence. They are wild in nature and attack human beings, if threatened. There will be tens of feral cattle in a grazing group with their calves.
According to National Wildlife Board member P.S. Easa, the protected area is created for evolving natural ecological processes and the feral cattle intervene in this. As the sanctuary is home to the elephant, sambar, barking deer and mouse deer, the increasing number of feral cattle raised a competition for food.
He said the animals became carriers of foot and mouth disease as they came in contact with domesticated animals grazing in the forest fringe areas.
The largest number of feral cattle is in the Kulamavu and Valakode areas, as per the study conducted for preparing a management plan.
An official of the forest department told The Hindu on Tuesday that unlike in the Munnar and Chinnar wildlife sanctuaries, the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary faced the greatest challenge form the presence of feral cattle.
They should either be culled or caught for a healthy ecological environment to protect the wildlife, he added.
