The Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) is compiling the data of the first tiger census it held simultaneously in the entire 925 square kilometre of the reserve using 506 cameras.
Krishan Kumar, Deputy Director, PTR, told The Hindu that 92,760 images of wild animals were received in the camera traps and of them nearly 200 were of tigers. The entire area was divided into 253 grids and two cameras each were set up in each grid to get images of both sides of the tiger as the stripes on one side would be different from those on the other side.
The identification marks of the tigers are being analysed with the help of the stripes, he said adding that this was for the first time a tiger survey was held using so many cameras. In the earlier occasions, only a minimum number of cameras were used and it was not possible to get the exact number as tigers could move widely in the area. Also, as the survey was not simultaneously held in the entire area, there were chances of duplication of images.
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The authorities expect a tiger population of 40 to 45. The survey was held from April 29 to May 14.
Management plan
As PTR is known for a wide species of wild animals, the images received will help to analyse the prey-predator ratio and prepare a management plan for future conservation.
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The images received included that of black panther, bear, leopard, elephant, sambar deer, wild gaur and wild boar. Mr. Kumar said that the entire survey was conducted by the PTR and no outside agency was involved.
As tiger was a territorial animal, its movements to new areas in search of food would result in clashes taking a toll on it. The herbivorous population could be a decisive factor in maintaining the territorial area. As of now, animal-animal and man-animal conflicts were very rare owing to less human habitations and a clear boundary that helped wild animals to move freely for fodder and water inside the reserve.
A systematic survey of different species would be held in the PTR, Mr. Kumar said adding that it would help in analysing the symbiotic existence in a forest ecosystem
92,760 images of wild animals received in camera traps
Animal-animal and man-animal conflicts rare in PTR