Reintroduction & Rewilding

[Sanju]

Reintroduction of Barasingha: Kanha National Park – Satpura Tiger Reserve

An exciting conservation effort is about to take place and every moment of it will be documented right here as it all develops. I’m about to jet off to India to start working on a relocation operation of both Barasingha and Gaur from Kanha National Park. The Barasingha will be relocated to Satpura Tiger Reserve and the Gaur will be moved across to Bandhavgarh National Park. This is a very exciting development in conservation management in India and I look forward to taking you along on the journey with me.

April 2017, a batch of Barasinghas was shifted from Kanha to the Satpura National Park, where they were found until the late 19th century. They are currently being reared in an enclosure, pending release. Until this shift, Kanha was the only habitat in the world to have the Hard-ground Barasingha (Cervus duvauceli branderi).

"The existence of a single population source, as Kanha is for the Barasingha, is a cause for concern. What if an epidemic strikes? The entire population is at risk of being wiped out. Translocation addresses this threat as well," says Pabla. Gir Lions are in debt.

Barasingha Reintroduction

The objective of any reintroduction of wildlife within  National Parks or Reserves is to restore a species to an original habitat where it has become or is  rapidly approaching extinction  mainly due to habitat deterioration.  Currently Kanha National Park has a population of nearly 500 Barasingha in 8 – 9 different locations  (Sonf, Ronda, Kisli Sondhar, Kanha, Bishanpura, Mukki Sondhar, Adwar, Ladua and Piparwada) and we are about to capture and relocate 20 animals from Kanha National Park to Satpura Tiger Reserve (Hoshangabad District,  Madhya Pradesh State,  Central India).

Capturing Barasingha: The Reintroduction Operation

The operation for capture aims to relocate these 20 Barasingha with a male to female sex ratio of 1:3. This will be followed by a supplementation of animals with the same ratio of 1:3 during the course of the next five years.  The animals shall initially be selected from within a fenced off area of approximately 50 hectares. Only Barasingha between the ages of 2 and 3 years old which have already reached sexual maturity will be considered for the reintroduction. The capture team will not approach any animals in their old age, females who are in advanced pregnancy or any fawns.

The rutting period of Barasingha starts from mid November to end of January every year. An average daytime temperature during the month of February and March in this part of the area varies from between 20-25 degrees Celsius.  Now that the rutting period is over we can begin the operation to capture our targeted amount of animals. Once captured, the animals will be sedated and immobolised before being transported to their new home at Satpura Tiger Reserve. The objective of this project is to introduce about 500 barasingha in this national park to eight or nine different locations.

The capture process is an intricate and detailed one, and every effort will be taken for both safety of the animals and the capture team. Below is a short overview of the process:

• Immobilisation & darting: The capture team will be targeting the rump and the shoulder of each animal. A Daninject Projectile Gun will be used to dart the deer during the capture process. When in the Boma, the Barasingha will be sedated with the help of a Jab Stick Pole Syringe. Data will also be recorded during the immobilisation process. The entire immobilisation process will be conducted in the presence of expert National / International Wildlife Veterinarians.
  

• Handling of the animal: All animals will be approached from behind. Once immobilised the dart will be removed and kept in a safety box. Once the animal is down, its eyes will be blindfolded, ear plugs will be inserted and the head will be carefully placed upwards in order to avoid any regurgitation. During the entire process each and every moment will be very carefully monitored by the team, especially where the pulse rate, respiration and body temperature are concerned. Biological samples will be taken and the antlers trimmed whilst the animal is sedated.
  

• Loading & transportation: The anaesthetic will be reversed, ear plugs and blindfold removed before being loaded inside the crate. The team will closely monitor the animals with each and every minute that passes by during the transportation process. The Barasingha will be transported to Bori at Satpura Tiger Reserve.
  

• Release & post release: As soon as each Barasingha arrives, they will be released, preferably during daylight hours to ensure sufficient supervision. An intensive monitoring process will continue post release with information continuously being recorded. Potential behavioural changes, abnormalities in health , feeding and physiological stages etc. will be carefully monitored and recorded.
  

Boma Design for the Barasingha at Kanha National Park

Although the physical reintroduction and capture process is yet to begin, the preparation and planning process is already in full swing. Depending upon the availability of ideal animals for selection, the team will make use of the following three plans of action during the capture process:

1. In August 2011 a fenced enclosure at Kanha National Park was erected. This is occupied by 35 Barasingha (13 males, 16 females and 6 fawns).  The Boma has been erected in a portion of the area within the fencing and has been left unused for the animals to get acclimatised for a period of 3-4 weeks. Once captured the animals in the area will be driven by the capture team into the funnel of the Boma. As the animals approach towards the narrow end, the desired animal will be selected from within the Boma section. The males with antlers will be immobilised and sedated followed by trimming of the antlers. Once the trimming operation is over, the animals will be put inside the crates and then revived. The females will only be sedated and then driven into the crates.
2. If the animals cannot be successfully driven into the Boma section by the capture team,  elephants will be used for approaching the animals.  From elephant-back the animals will be darted within the fencing area. After the animals are immobilised, they will be then carried into the crates by the capture team and then sedated, followed by revival. The antlers will also be trimmed at the site of immobilisation.
3. If the capture team is unable for any reason to capture the animals from within the fencing area, they will try and locate the Barasingha  in the Kanha Meadow with the help of the elephants and the procedure as cited in step 2 shall be repeated.
   

The Boma
Boma Structure

• The Boma consists of steel sections 2.5 mt high by 3 mt long made out of 15 mm X 75 mm X 3mm rectangular hollow tubes.
• 1.5 m of the steel section are solid 2 mm pressed steel plate horizontal steps, pressed into each steel section.
• Each steel section consists of full 2.5 mt high 3 verticals at 750 mm (50 mmX50 mmX3 mm) and one horizontal at 1.5 m (50 mm X 50 mm X 3 mm intervals).
• 1 m expanded metal above the steel sections are welded to the front of the frame above the solid steel, with the smooth section facing inside the Boma.
• 6 mm flat bar brackets with 30 mm holes are reinforced with 6 mm gusset welded at 300 mm from the top and bottom of the frame on the left hand side and 400 mm from the top and bottom of the frame on the right hand side.
• The connecting bolts  are made of 25 mm round bar, 300 mm long and tapered on the end.
• 23 sections of 3 m and 8 sections of 1.5 m are made for the purpose.
• Plastic sheets will be used to extend and widen the funnel and enter into the woodland. Plastic sheet will be greenish brown in colour.
  

Sliding Gates & Crates

Two sliding gates have been erected,  made of a 50 mm X 50 mm hollow square tube with 3 rollers.  The gates are solid with 2 mm pressed steel. Provisionhas been made for a solid shade cloth above the gate to the same height as the rest of the Boma. Walkways have also been attached to every section as well.

The crates have been made of plywood fixed with galvanized perforated steel. On the outer side along the length of the crates,  provision has been made for fixing of the hollow rings at two of the places so that the removable hollow pipes can be inserted and the crate can be lifted with the help of 6 men. The gap at the top has been created for sufficient ventilation and holes on the floor have been made to facilitate the draining of urine.

Let the Barasingha Reintroduction Begin

I will be flying out to India on Wednesday 29 February 2012. The on the ground work will effectively begin as I arrive and I can’t wait to get going with this incredible conservation effort. Watch this space for updates on our progress from Thursday 1 March 2012. Join me in my experience on the ground and be a part of the difference that’s going to make a difference! Reply