New methodology to enable accurate tiger census

Jabalpur, Apr 9 (UNI) The new methodology of the tiger census will be able to ascertain the exact number of tigers and other predators in the country.

Forest Conservator (Jabalpur range) J Krishnamurthy said for the first time, census of tigers in Madhya Pradesh's forest areas had been completed in January with the help of new methodology.

The data had been loaded in a special software and sent to the Dehradun-based Wild life Institute of India, which had adopted the technique for tiger census in the country.

Apart from the traditional method of pugmark counting, the methodology included signs survey and scats survey (survey of animal excreta), which enabled an accurate estimation of the range of population of predators.

A simultaneous estimation of trees and plants in 200 metre radius of forest areas has been carried out.

Mr Krishnamurthy said after studying the data, the institute will send a team to camp in a forest area and match the information with proof in 100 sq km area.

Besides examining sample of excreta and DNA, the team will capture wild animals in modern high-speed digital fix camera.

UNI RG-PS SS KP1927