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Paranjpe, S.A.; Tatke, V.; Kharshikar, A.V.; Gore, A.P.
Quantitive Discrimination Between Tiger Pug-marks
1984 Full Book
This prliminary report approaches the problem of tiger census from a statistical viewpoint. The standard practice of tiger counting followed by foresters is reviewed. Discrimination between pug marks seems to form the basis of this procuedure and yet it has remained rather subjective. It appears necessary to develop a quantitative, objective and precise way to distinguish between pug marks of different animals. The present proposal includes a list of about 40 variables which hopefully include most information about the shape, size etc. of the pug marks. Manual as well as computer based methods of measuring these variables, inplemented successfully, are described. Statistical methods that can be applied to these data are also given. A glaring gap in data availability is pointed out. This concerns observations on known animals. Such data will enable effective screening of variables used and also provide the necessary measure of discriminating ability of the proposed procedures. An experiment that may provide such data is suggested.
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