Blackbuck count doubles in Vallanadu sanctuary

J Arockiaraj
TUTICORIN: The recent wildlife census conducted in Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary has some good news for wildlife lovers as the number of blackbucks here has almost doubled. While the 2010 wildlife census put the number of blackbucks at 39, it has gone up to 79 during the census organised by the forest department on Wednesday.

Spread over 1,645 hectares in Srivaikundam taluk, the sanctuary is a safe home for blackbuck - an antelope species native to the Indian subcontinent. The graceful animal, which roamed the Indian sub-continent until the 19th and early 20th centuries, is now confined to a few states and sanctuaries due to intense poaching and loss of habitat.

During Wednesday's census 30 volunteers from the Pearl City Nature Society (PCNS) in Tuticorin and 20 forest officials spotted 79 blackbucks. They also found two spotted deer and a barking deer.

Forest officials from Tuticorin forest division said that the census was carried out on the instructions of conservator of forest Rakesh Kumar Dogra and district forest officer (DFO) S Shenbagamurthy.

The officials said that protective measures they took in the sanctuary have yielded good results. "After the 2010 census, the department recruited six anti-poaching watchers and the surveillance was increased. Besides, awareness programmes were held for the villagers near the sanctuary," said U Isakkimuthu, Srivaikundam range officer. As grazing the cattle in the sanctuary exposes the blackbucks to diseases from domestic animals, the department even conducted veterinary camps in the villages for the cattle. "It helped in preventing the spread of contagious diseases to antelopes," Isakkimuthu said.

The wildlife lovers expressed their excitement over the findings, however, they expressed the need to develop pasture lands and water facilities in the sanctuary. "It is indeed good news that the blackbuck nunbers are increasing," said Thomas Mathibalan, census coordinator from PCNS. "During the census, we spotted many blackbucks on the boundaries and private lands adjacent to the sanctuary than in the heart of the sanctuary. They are looking out for pasture lands and water in the private lands," said Naveen Joseph, a census volunteer.

"With the rise in numbers, the sanctuary should be developed with better pasture lands and spraying millets during the monsoons will improve fodder inside the sanctuary. The fences are also broken at many places. Besides, we found feral dogs and cattle inside which is a serious menace for blackbucks," stated K Vijayavel, a PCNS member.

DFO Shenbagamurthy said that the sanctuary has been allotted funds and the works for improving the pasture lands and water facilities will commence in a short period.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-30/flora-fauna/38144678_1_wildlife-census-blackbucks-pasture-lands

Blackbucks threatened by poaching, inbreeding and diseases

TNN | Jan 21, 2013

KANPUR: The blackbuck is an antelope species native to the Indian Subcontinent that has been classified as near-threatened by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2003. They are horned animals and only living species of the genus Antilope.

Black bucks generally live in open plains in herds of 15 to 20 animals with one dominant male. They are very fast, and speeds of more than 80 km/h (50 mph) have been recorded. They are sometimes preyed upon by wolves and feral dogs. The maximum life span recorded is 16 years and the average is 12 years.

The blackbuck is hunted for its flesh and skin. The Indian law strictly prohibits the hunting of these endangered animals, but occasional incidents of poaching still occur. The remaining populations are under threat from inbreeding. The natural habitat of the blackbuck is being encroached upon by man's need for arable land and grazing ground for domesticated cattle. Exposure to domesticated cattle also exposes them to bovine diseases.

Its protected status gained publicity through a widely reported court case, in which Bollywood star Salman Khan was sentenced to five years imprisonment for killing two blackbucks and several endangered chinkaras. The arrest was prompted by intense protests from the Bishnoi ethnic group, which holds animals and trees sacred, and on whose land the hunting had taken place.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Blackbucks-threatened-by-poaching-inbreeding-and-diseases/articleshow/18112906.cms

Dogs kill 31 blackbuck inside Kanpur zoo

Blackbuck is protected in India
under Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972

As many as 31 endangered blackbuck were found killed by stray dogs inside the Kanpur zoo on Sunday morning. The dogs attacked the blackbuck on Saturday night after entering the zoo from where the boundary is broken.

Two dogs were found eating the carcasses inside the zoo on Sunday morning by the forest guards during the routine morning inspection. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Rupak De said the guards killed both the dogs immediately. Another dog that was found roaming inside the zoo area was also killed, he said.

He said the dogs seemed to have entered the zoo from the area where the boundary wall was damaged. He said the wall was being repaired and the guards used to tie wires across the open area after the construction work got over in the evening to stop anyone from entering. However, they did not tie the fence wires last evening, he said.

Following the incident, De conducted an inquiry and submitted the report to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who is also the Minister for Forests. Yadav suspended director of the Kanpur zoo K Praveen Rao, forester J P Awashthi, forest guards Nathuram Dwivedi and Udaibhan, keeper Parshuram and watchman Shera for dereliction in performing their duties.

He also directed the Kanpur District Magistrate and the City Commissioner of Kanpur Municipal Corporation for running campaign against stray dogs in the city.

The blackbuck is protected in India by the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has categorised the animal as near threatened species.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dogs-kill-31-blackbuck-inside-kanpur-zoo/1062318/