Mumbai researchers make wildlife breakthrough in Tripura

Mumbaibased researchers Omkar Patil and Dr Ashutosh Joshi from the Vivek PARC Foundation have conducted a rapid assessment of mammalian fauna in Tripurarsquos protected areas uncovering vital insights into local wildlife and habitats Among their significant findings is the firstever cameratrap footage of a ferret badger in Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary highlighting the urgent need for ongoing conservation efforts in the regionThe leopard cat spotted in the forestConducted from January to April 2024 the study covered all protected sites including Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary Clouded Leopard National Park Rowa Wildlife Sactuary Trishna Wildlife Sactuary Bison National Park and Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary The study aimed to document diverse mammalian species analyse threats to wildlife and ecosystems and identify key actors for longterm conservation strategiesA fishing cat spotted in the forestLed by researchers Patil and Dr Joshi the study received support from The Habitats Trustrsquos Technology for Conservation team Patil said ldquoThe significant finding was the confirmation of a ferret badger in Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary for which the firstever cameratrap images were captured during the researchrdquoThe survey provides an indepth overview of the state of mammalian fauna and their habitats within Tripurarsquos protected areas Methods such as camera trapping and line transects were utilised to collect data Various images of some of the most cryptic species like the leopard cat fishing cat and crabeating mongoose were documented Indirect signs of large carnivores were also recorded during line transects and foot patrols by the teamThe team that set up camera traps in the forestA medium to large scat faecal matter belonging to a big cat suspected to be a clouded leopard was discovered in the Clouded Leopard National Park indicating the possible existence of this big cat in the park The Relative Abundance Index RAI from camera traps was highest for species such as the Common Palm Civet and Crabeating Mongoose while other species had a lower RAIVikram Sankaranarayanan executive director of the Vivek PARC Foundation emphasised that ldquoThis fruitful collaboration with the Tripura Forest Department shall pave the way for multifaceted and diverse interventions that will strategically support the conservation and management of wildlife in Tripura for years to comerdquo Rushikesh Chavan head of The Habitats Trust added ldquoTripura is part of the global biodiversity hotspots It harbours several rare and threatened species These joint studies with the Tripura Forest Department are a critical first step to ensure that the biodiversity and ecosystems of Tripura are safeguardedrdquoWhy this study mattersThe rapid assessment of mammalian fauna in Tripurarsquos protected areas is vital for several reasons It marks the first systematic documentation of local wildlife through camera trapping uncovering species like the ferret badger This research highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts especially in a region that is part of global biodiversity hotspots By identifying threats to wildlife and ecosystems it enables targeted protection strategies