Tigers of Central India

[Pckts]

(06-23-2021, 10:02 PM)Ashutosh Wrote: @Pckts, Firstly, camera trap images are also factored in while extrapolating prey density in these reserves.

Secondly, the chart that I posted is only of Pench, Madhya Pradesh and doesn’t include Pench, Maharashtra. So, in actuality, the number of all prey herds in Pench exceeded Kanha in absolute numbers even though Pench is much smaller in area. So, the density is higher.

Thirdly, you can’t expect any research to individually count all prey animals in a landscape, it would be next to impossible. So, extrapolation of data from a sample size is always going to be the norm (especially as there is no scope for camera trapping in grasslands). Not to mention, this is not the first study to suggest that Pench has a higher prey biomass per square km than Kanha or any other Central Indian Tiger Reserve.

Camera traps are one piece along with pug marks, carcasses and visual sightings. But like all the others mentioned, camera traps are a very small factor and many animals actively avoid them.

Second, it wouldn't matter if they include both sides, Kanha is larger and assuming that the same density of prey on one side to the other is wrong since like I've already stated, the FD have actively added watering holes to increase sightings of both Tigers and prey which skews the numbers and any area where that isn't a factor will so a lower density. 

Last, I never claimed to expect researchers to count individuals which is why these census are extremely faulty but they are the best we have. But it's pretty simple, I assume you've not been to Pench or Kanha, correct?
But if you had, you'd see fairly fast that Kanha is going to have the far more suitable habitat for larger prey and the animals that prey on them and I'm confident if you asked others who've also been to both, they'd say the same.

But lastly, the whole discussion started when I said that it's the Sal Forests that contribute to larger cats and both Brander and Sankhala said the same. This was something a novice like my self noticed right away once I went from Tadoba to Pench then Kanha. At this point I don't really think it's arguable, if you want to mention certain reserves over the others that's fine but if they aren't Sal Forest reserves I don't they they're going to compete unless we're talking about Kaziranga. But places like Kanha, Corbett, Dudhwa are all Sal Forests. Reply