Prey density study in Chandaka sanctuary this winter: DFO
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To repopulate the sanctuary with prey, the animals were brought from Cuttack zoo, Nandankanan zoo, and Taptapani zoo. Around 330 ungulates were released but their number is expected to exceed 1,000 after a year.
"After the study, their presence per square kilometre area and which patch of the sanctuary has more concentration of prey will be known," said Amaresh Pradhan, DFO, Chandaka. The translocated animals were first lodged in an enclosure for a quarantine period one-and-a-half months to acclimatise them with the new environment.
Chandaka, spread over a 193 sq kilometre has exciting tourist spots like Kuasara, Kochilaberena, Baunsberena, Pitagadia, Kumarakhunt, Pithakhia, and 12 others. "Once released, animals breed, and their population increases very fast. During nature trails, tourists come across some of these exciting places, where they get to see prey animals. Considering the frequency of sightings, their number has gone up significantly," the DFO added.
Wildlife officials have written to the Centre to provide around 10 gaurs (bison) to be reintroduced into the sanctuary. The forest department will run the species recovery programme to translocate Indian gaur. "If we introduce gaur, their presence in the wild will offer exciting sights for tourists during the trail," said a sanctuary official.
Regarding carnivores, Chandaka authorities revealed that the sanctuary has hyenas, wolves, and jackals.
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