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| Bhatt, U.; Lyngdoh, S. | |
| Carnivore Chronicles: Co-occurrence and habitat use in the tropical forest of Manas National Park, North-East India | |
| 2024 Journal of Wildlife Science (1): 16-30 | |
Understanding the spatial ecology of carnivores has been challenging due to their secretive habits. Nevertheless, comprehending the relationship of this taxonomic group with environmental, anthropogenic, and ecological factors is critical for effective conservation management. We determined the composition of the carnivore community (small, medium, and large), their co-occurrence patterns, and the factors determining their habitat selection in Manas National Park, NorthEast India. We photo-captured 37 species, with 24,840 independent records over 11,388 trap nights. We collected 1,130 photographs of five large and medium-sized carnivores and 1,541 photos of 12 small carnivores. Most species pairs (n=59) showed random co-occurrence (independent distribution). A few species pairs (n=19) exhibited positive co-occurrences (no antagonism). Spatial (Pianka) overlap between these pairs was restricted, suggesting that, despite the observed positive co-occurrence patterns, spatial overlap among these species pairs remained limited. For large carnivores, tiger habitat use was influenced positively by large-medium prey and adversely by forest roads; leopards showed a preference for habitats with medium and small prey; and Asiatic black bears utilised habitats with higher elevations, roads, and human settlements. For meso carnivores, clouded leopards exhibited a more significant habitat usage in regions with dense vegetation; dholes and clouded leopards were associated with habitats rich in small prey. For small carnivores, most species preferred habitats with dense vegetation and far from settlements. Our findings highlight the need to protect habitats, mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, and maintain healthy prey populations for the long-term conservation of carnivores in Manas National Park. |
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