GENERAL ARTICLE

HABITAT PREFERENCE AND POPULATION TRENDS OF SPOTTED DEER (Axis axis) AT WASGOMUWA NATIONAL PARK IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Wasgomuwa National Park is located within Central and North Central provinces of Sri Lanka. Extent of the park is 37,062ha. The park comprises with divers vegetation types such as grassland, scrubland and high/thick forest as terrestrial and tanks, rivers & streams and riverine as aquatic vegetation. It provides a wide array of habitats for wild animals. Spotted Deer (SD) is commonly seen herbivore which presents throughout the year irrespective to the changers of weather condition. The study was mainly focused to assess the habitat types which SD commonly used and the population trend of them during the period of last decade from year 2003 to 2014. Sampling was done in the month of August/September in each year assuming the environmental condition is similar in every year. Areas named Udaganapitiya,Medapitiya, Sansthapitiya and Kadurupitiya including Mahakadurupitiya were sampled. Line Transect method was used to determine the population of SD. Pellet count was performed to assess the preference of habitats at same sampling areas. Additionally visual encounter were done to assess the presence and abundance of spotted deer at different habitats located along with the ways from Kadurupitiya to Waulebe (16km) and Kadurupitiya to Kirioya (15km). The visual encounter of the presence of SD at different habitat types has revealed that the SD preferred the habitat at ecotone of grassland – scrubland. It is proved by the information generated through the pellet count sampling thus the density of pellet groups are 189±12, 102±11, 83±13, 68±07, 48±12 (Number/ha) respectively to the habitats of Grassland – Scrubland ecotone, Grassland, Scrublands, Riverine and High/Thick forest. The SD population estimated was 708±34, 812±32, 712±25, 689±29, 809±36, 803±29, 793±19, 815±21, 639±18, 742±29, 811±26 and 698±12 respectively to the year from 2003 to 2014. According to the findings of the study it is revealed that the most preferred habitat of SD is the ecotone of Scrub – Grassland. The population is established within the number of 700-900 animals with little fluctuation

Keywords: Wasgomuwa, Spotted Deer, Habitat, Population

How to Cite: Peiris,U.K.L, (2016). HABITAT PREFERENCE AND POPULATION TRENDS OF SPOTTED DEER (Axis axis) AT WASGOMUWA NATIONAL PARK IN SRI LANKA.WILDLANKA, 4(2):Pages 051-054

Published On:2016-06-30

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