• Summary
  • Objectives
  • Status
  • Project Publications
Summary

The Palani Hills host diverse habitats, flora, and fauna, including many species endemic to the global biodiversity hotspot Western Ghats region. There exists, however, little data on the status of wildlife in the Palanis. A study from October 2016 to June 2017 established the status of the interface between wildlife and people living along the boundary of Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary. To complement these baseline findings of the human-wildlife interface, this study was initiated to determine baseline estimates of wildlife.

Objectives

1. To estimate the distribution mammals in Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary
2. To estimate abundance of select mammal species within the sanctuary

Status
  • Field surveys have been completed, a grid-based occupancy survey of the entire sanctuary recorded 17 different mammalian species through direct or indirect signs. Camera trapping to establish the presence and density of large carnivores such as tiger and leopard was also completed in ~300 sq km of the sanctuary.