UWICE policy brief series - Ministry Of Agriculture And Forests

The UWICE Policy Brief ’s series aims to bring the latest
research findings into mainstream policy domain and
provides recommendations on key environmental issues.
Tigers
in theTRAPS
Jigme
Singye
Wangchuck
WHAT
CAMERA
TRAPS
FROM
THE
JIGME
SINGYE
WHAT
CAMERA
FROM
THE
JIGME
SINGYE
WANGCHUCK
AND
ROYAL
MANAS
NATIONAL
WANGCHUCK
AND
ROYAL
MANAS
NATIONAL
National
Park:
Implications
for
PARK
ARE
TELLING
ABOUT
TIGERS?
PARK
ARE
TELLING
USUS
ABOUT
TIGERS?
References:
Ahmed, M. F., J. Borah, C. Das, A. Basumatary, R.
N. Sarma, D. D. Gogoi, S. N. Buragohain,
N. K. Vasu, B. K. Talukdar, Y. V. Jhala and
Q. Qureshi. 2010. Monitoring tigers and
prey animals of Kaziranga National Park,
Assam, India. Technical Report, Aaranyak,
TRCI:04/2010.50 pp
Conservation
WHAT CAMERA TRAPS FROM THE JIGME SINGYE UWICE Policy Brief The global population of tigers in the wild stands at a dismal 3200, with the species also
population
in in
thethe
wild
stands
at aatdismal
3200,
withwith
the species
also also
Theglobal
global
populationofoftigers
tigers
wild
stands
a dismal
3200,
the species
UWICEPolicy
PolicyBrief
Brief The
experiencing
one
of
the
most
dramatic
range
collapses
over
the
last
half
century
WANGCHUCK AND ROYAL MANAS NATIONAL UWICE2014
experiencing
one of the
dramatic
range collapses
over theover
last the
halflast
century
having experienced
onemost
of the
most dramatic
range collapses
half century (see
2014
(A)(A)
(see
Map
below).
Current
tiger
habitat
accounts
foronly
only
7%its
oforiginal
itsoriginal
original
range
andthree
(see
Map
below).
Current
tiger
habitat
accounts
for
only
7%
of
range
andand
range
map
below).
Current
tiger
habitat
accounts
for
7%
of
its
range
Dinerstein,
E.,
C.
Loucks,
E.
Wikramanayake,
J.
Citation:
PARK ARE TELLING US ABOUT TIGERS?
three of the eight subspecies have already gone extinct.
UWICE Policy Brief
2014 (A)
Citation:
UWICE (2014) What
Camera Traps from the
Jigme Singye Wangchuck
and Royal Manas
National Park are telling
us about Tigers?
UWICE Policy Briefs.
Lamai Gompa, Bumtang
three
ofeight
the eight
subspecies
already
extinct.
UWICE (2015)
Tigers
of the
subspecies
havehave
already
gonegone
extinct.
Ginsberg, E. Sanderson, J. Seidensticker,
Citation:
Citation:
in the Jigme
Singye
J. Forrest, G. Bryja, A. Heydlauff, S.
UWICE
(2014)
What Much
UWICE
(2014)
What
remaining
habitats
in
turn
Much
ofthe
the
remaining
habitats
in turn
Wangchuck
National
Much
ofofthe
remaining
habitats
in turn
Klenzendorf, P. Leimgruber, J. Mills, T.
Camera
Traps
from
Camera
Traps from
the the suffer
from
habitat
fragmentation
and
suffer
from
habitat
fragmentation
and
Park:
Implications
for
suffer
from
habitat
fragmentation
and
The global population of tigersG.
in the
wild
stands
at
a
dismal
3200,
with
the
species
also
O’brien, M. Shrestha, R. Simons, and
Jigme
Singye
Wangchuck
Jigme
Singye
Wangchuck
lack
of
connectivity.
The
vexed
issue
of
lack
of
connectivity.
The
vexed
issue
Conservation.
UWICE
lack of connectivity. The vexed issue of of
experiencing one of the most dramatic
range
collapses
overofthewild
last tigers.
half century
M. Songer.
2007.
The fate
Royal
Manas
andand
Royal
Manas
Policy
Briefs.
sustaining
viable
tiger
populations
into
sustaining
viable
tiger
populations
into
(see Map below). Current tigerBioscience
habitat accounts
for only 7% of its original range and National
National
telling sustaining viable tiger populations into
57: 508-514
ParkPark
are are
telling
Lamai Gompa,
Bumtang
thethe
future
therefore
been
gaining
future
has
therefore
been
gaining
the
future
hashas
therefore
been
gaining
three of the eight subspecies have already gone extinct.
us
about
Tigers?
us about Tigers?
increasing
attention
from
leaders,
increasing
attention
from
leaders,
Harihar, A. Population, food habits and prey densities
increasing
attention
from
leaders,
UWICE
Policy
Briefs.
UWICE Policy Briefs.
governments
communities
across
ofintiger
Lamai
Gompa,
Bumtang governments
andand
communities
across
Much of the remaining habitats
turn in Chilla Range, Rajaji National
Lamai
Gompa,
Bumtang
the
globe.
Park,
Uttaranchal,
India.
MSc
Dissertation,
the globe.
suffer from habitat fragmentation and
at 3500 masl, JSWNP
lack of connectivity. The vexedSaurashtra
issue of University
sustaining viable tiger populations into
Johnson, A., C. Vongkhamheng, and T. Saithongdam.
the future has therefore been gaining
2009. The diversity, status and conservation
increasing attention from leaders,
of small carnivores in a montane tropical
governments and communities across
forest in northern Laos. Oryx, 43, 626-633.
the globe.
at 3500
JSWNP
at 3500
masl, masl,
JSWNP
at 1200
JSWNP
at 1200
masl, masl,
JSWNP
Karanth, U.K., R.S. Chundawat, J.D. Nichols, and
N.S. Kumar. 2004. Estimation of tiger density
in the tropical dry forests of Panna, Central
India, using photographic capture-recapture
sampling. Animal Conservation 7:285–290
at 1200 masl, JSWNP
UWICE (www.uwice.gov.bt) is a government
research institute under the Department of Forests
and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and
Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan.
Kawanishi, K. and M.E. Sunquist. 2004.
Conservation status of tigers in a primary
rainforest of Peninsular Malaysia. Biological
Conservation 120:329–344
at
300masl,
masl,RMNP
RMNP
at 300atmasl,
RMNP
300
Current tiger range map
in relation to historic
distribution (after
Dinerstein
et al. 2007)
Supported
by:
government and communities across
Lynam AJ, A. Rabinowitz, T. Myint, M. Maung,
Most
notably,
leaders
fromfrom
tiger
range
Most
notably,
leaders
tiger
range
the
globe.
Most
notably,
leaders
from
K.T. Latt, and S.H.T, Po. 2009. Estimating
countries
adopted
the
St.
Petersburg
countries
adopted
the
St.
Petersburg
tiger
range
countries
adopted
the
St.
Supported by:
abundance with sparse data: tigers in
declaration
on
23rd
November
2010
declaration
on
23rd
November
2010
Petersburg
declaration
on
23rd
November
TheThe
Bhutan
Foundation
Bhutan
Foundationto double tiger numbers in the wild by
northern Myanmar. Population Ecology
to double
tigertiger
numbers
in the
by
2010
to double
numbers
in wild
the wild
at 300 masl, RMNP
2022.
51:115–121
This policy brief has been improved based
2022.
by 2022.
Supported by:
on recommendations and critique provided
O’Brien T.G., M.F. Kinnaird, and H.T. Wibisono. 2003.
The Bhutan Foundation
The
declaration
noted
the
need
for afor
multipronged
strategy,
which
includes
amongst
InThe
addition,
thealso
declaration
also
called
by Chencho Norbu, Director General of
thenotably, leaders from
declaration
also
noted
the
need
for
a multipronged
strategy,
which
includes
amongst
Most
tigerCrouching
range
tigers, hidden prey: Sumatran
others
the
need
to
upscale
anti-poaching
stints,
reduce
habitat
loss
and
increase
a
multipronged
strategy,
which
includes
Department of Forests and Park Services.
others the need to upscale anti-poaching stints, reduce habitat loss and increase
countries adopted the St. Petersburg
tiger and prey populations in a tropical forest
Authors:
Supported by:
connectivity,
andand
compensate
livestock
losses
to minimize
retaliatory
killings.
amongst
others
thecompensate
need to for
upscale
anti-poaching
stints,
reduce
habitat
loss
and increase
Authors:
connectivity,
for livestock
losses
to minimize
retaliatory
killings.
declaration on 23rd Novemberlandscape.
2010
Animal Conservation 6:131–139
Nawang Norbu1 1
The Bhutan Foundation
connectivity, and compensate for livestock losses to minimize retaliatory killings.
Nawang Norbu
The current on-going research within JSWNP
to double tiger numbers in the wild by
1
In 2006,
Bhutan
drafted
a 10-year
national
'Tiger
Action
Plan'Plan'
detailing
out strategies
to to
Tshering
& Tempa
In 2006,
Bhutan
drafted
a 10-year
national
'Tiger
Action
detailing
out strategies
Tshering
Tempa1
and RMNP is being supported by the Bhutan
2022.
Tempa, T., M. Hebblewhite, L. S. Mills, T. R.
ensure
the
future
of
tigers
in
Bhutan.
Many
activities
within
that
action
plan,
which
is
due
Bhutan,
with
most
of
its
area
under
forests
(estimated
at
72%)
offers
one
of
the
best
hopes
ensure the future of tigers in Bhutan. Many activities within that action plan, which
is due
Foundation (www.bhutanfoundation.org).
UNESCO-MCSAFS
Wangchuk, N. Norbu, T. Wangchuk, T. Nidup,
tofor
expire
in
2015,
have
not
been
carried
out,
including
the
important
task
of
counting
maintaining
a viable
tiger
population
intoout,
theincluding
future. In the
addition
to habitat
contiguity,
tigers
to
expire
in
2015,
have
not
been
carried
important
task
of
counting
1Ugyen
The declaration also noted the P.
need
for a multipronged
strategy,
includes amongst
Dendup,
D. Wangchuk,
and Y.which
Wangdi.
Wangchuck
1Ugyen
many
tigers
there
aremyths
in
wild.wild.
are
also
revered
in there
both
beliefs.
Wangchuck how
how
many
tigers
arethe
in and
the
others the need to upscale anti-poaching
reduce
habitat
lossBhutan:
and increase Institute for Conservation
2013. Royalstints,
Manas
National
Park,
Institute for Conservation
connectivity,
livestock
to minimize
retaliatory
a hot
spot forlosses
wild felids.
Oryx 47:
207-210.killings. & Environment (UWICE), However,
2006,subsequent
Bhutan drafted
aSummit
10-yearinnational
‘Tiger Action
Plan’
detailing
out strategies to
to the
Bhutan
hosted
the 2nd
AsianAsian
Ministerial
This policy brief is a Authors:
result of long-term
predator- and compensate for
& Environment (UWICE), InHowever,
subsequent
to the
SummitRussia,
in Russia,
Bhutan
hosted
the 2nd
Ministerial
1
Nawang
Norbu
ensure
the
future
of
tigers
in
Bhutan.
Many
activities
within
that
action
plan,
which
is due
Lamai
Gompa,
Bumtang
Conference
on Tiger
Conservation
in Thimphu
on October
22nd22nd
and and
23rd23rd
2012.2012.
As
a As
follow
prey dynamic study being implemented
by UWICE.
Lamai
Gompa,
Bumtang
Conference
on
Tiger
Conservation
in
Thimphu
on
October
a follow
1
Wang,
S.
W.,
and
D.
Macdonald.
2009.
The
use
of
In 2006, Bhutan drafted a 10-year national 'Tiger Action Plan' detailing out strategies to
Tshering
Tempa
tothe
expire
in Government
2015, have not
carried out
to lack of financial
support,
including
the
up,
Royal
hasbeen
alsoalso
initiated
anddue
is conducting
a nation-wide
tiger
survey.
Permission for this study has been granted
by
the
up,
the
Royal
Government
has
initiated
and
is
conducting
a
nation-wide
tiger
survey.
cameraMany
trapsactivities
for estimating
tiger
and
leopard
ensure the future of tigers in Bhutan.
within
that
action
plan, which is due
www.uwice.gov.bt
important
task
of
counting
how
many
tigers
there
are
in
the
wild.
www.uwice.gov.bt
The
national
tiger
survey
will
systematically
conduct
camera
trap
surveys
across
Bhutan.
Council of Renewal Natural Resources toResearch
The national tiger survey will systematically conduct camera trap surveys across Bhutan.
populations
the high altitude
mountains
expire in 2015, have not been
carried out,inincluding
the important
taskofof counting
of Bhutan and the
Department
of Forestshow
and many
Park tigers there are in the
1Ugyen
Prepared by:
Wangchuck
Bhutan.
However, momentum is building up and progress is being made. As a follow up to the Summit
wild. Biological Conservation 142: 606Services. We are
grateful
the Park Manager and
Tshering Tempa
Institute
for to
Conservation
613.
in Russia, Bhutan hosted the 2nd Asian Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation in
staff &
of Environment
JSWNP for their
support.However, subsequent to the Summit in Russia, Bhutan hosted the 2nd Asian Ministerial Nawang Norbu
(UWICE),
Lamai Gompa, Bumtang Conference on Tiger Conservation in Thimphu on October 22nd and 23rd 2012. As a follow
up, the Royal Government has also initiated and is conducting a nation-wide tiger survey.
www.uwice.gov.bt
The national tiger survey will systematically conduct camera trap surveys across Bhutan.
(3)
Thimphu on October 22nd and 23rd 2012. Also, in line with the aspirations of both the Summit in Russia and the 2nd
Asian Ministerial Meeting of TRCs, the Royal Government has initiated and is conducting a nation-wide tiger survey.
The national tiger survey will systematically conduct camera trap surveys across Bhutan. As of now, camera trap (2)
surveys
for the
southern
part of
Bhutan
have
been
completed.
Effort the
will Ugyen
now spread
towardsInstitute
the middle
northern (2)
In parallel
to the
on-going
nation
wide
tiger
surveys,
since 2010,
Wangchuck
for and
Conservation
parts
ofEnvironment
Bhutan. It is have
expected
that
a comprehensive
assessment of tiger
presence
and abundance
will be completed
and
been
conducting
long-term
study
in the
Jigme
Singye
Wanchuck
(JSWNP)
parallel
to2015.
the on-going
nation
wide tiger
surveys,predator-prey
since 2010, the
Ugyen
Wangchuck
Institute
for Conservation
byIn
December
and
Royal
Manas
National
Park
(RMNP).
and Environment have been conducting long-term predator-prey study in the Jigme Singye Wanchuck (JSWNP)
and Royal Manas National Park (RMNP).
with 2 cubs
(4, 8, 9, 70, 71, 75)
addition to
the nationwide
survey,13
long
term andtigers
rigorous
As ofIn
December
2011,
in RMNP, wetiger
identified
individual
and science
estimatebased
camera
trapping
exercises
has
been
underway
in
the
Royal
Manas
National Park
about 30 to 50 tigers.
and the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park since December 2010.
In addition
to tigers, camera traps also captured 7 and 8 others cat species in
So far, 12 unique individual tigers have been identified within Jigme Singye
JSWNP
and RMNP respectively. This demonstrates that JSWNP along with RMNP
Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP). Two of these tigers have been caught with 2
is a hotspot
for wild
and 3 cubs
eachcat
at species.
different locations. See pictures and map.
Bayesian based
spatially
explicit
mark-recapture
estimate
14 – 26 tigers
The detection
of poaching
and
poachers
in both themodels
Parks can
be detrimental
to in
2
with aof
density
of 2and
tigers
per 100
km . This is much higher than estimates
long JSWNP
term survival
the tiger
other
cat species.
Study area location
previously obtained for the Park (see table).
(9, 70, 71, 75)
(2, 3,
3, 4,
4, 5,
5, 6,
6, 9,
9, 13,
13, 17,
17, 25,
25, 26,
26, 27,
27, 47,
47, 51,
51, 52,
52, 69,
69, 70,
70, 71)
71)
(2,
with
with 3
3 cubs
cubs
(37, 38, 46)
(5, 16, 26, 27, 47, 68, 69, 73)
To address this singular concern, we suggest that anti-poaching stints
be intensified
in the park.
Patrolsofshould
be institutionalized
that
More importantly,
the finding
cubs means
that tigers areso
breeding
tigerwithin
habitats
and
areas
where
poaching
incidences
have
been
noted
the Park. This bodes well for the park and for tigers in particular.
are monitored atleast once a month. These checks should be
In addition
to tigers,
camera
traps also
pictures
of 7 others
conducted
randomly.
Such
patrolling
tripscaptured
could also
be combined
to
cats.
This
demonstrates
that
JSWNP
is
a
hotspot
for
wild
cat
species.
include monitoring of long term research plots and camera traps.
ParkOn
staff
should
also
with
such
as GPS,2
the
flip side
ofbe
thisequipped
seemingly
wellbasic
to donecessities
narrative, we
highlight
binoculars
and communication
equipments.
of trekking
bootsof
key concerns
which will negatively
impactSupply
the long
term survival
and tigers
camping
gear
once
every
five
years
also
seems
justified
given
in JSWNP: 1) we have detected no tigers in the north-western
the rugged
terrain
ofevidence
visits required.
A conservative
part of the
park;and
andfrequency
2) we found
of poaching
and poachers
estimate
of
about
Nu.
15
lakhs
would
suffice
the
procurement
of
within the heart of the Park.
such basic necessities for each Park.
We recommend the following to address the above concerns:
(5, 16, 26, 27, 47, 68, 69, 73)
For each Park, we calculate an annual expenditure of Nu. 32 lakhs
1. Patrols should be institutionalized so that tiger habitats and areas
(32,00,000)
for such recurring patrols. These recurring funds should
where poaching incidences have been noted are monitored
be guaranteed
to the Park either by the Royal Government or
at least once a month. These checks should be conducted
conservation donor agencies.
randomly. Such patrolling trips could also be combined to include
monitoring of long term research plots and camera traps.
(75)
(16, 26, 69)
We further suggest that anti-poaching stints be systematized across
both2.
protected
and
non-protected
in Bhutan. such as GPS,
Park staff
should
be equippedlandscapes
with basic necessities
binoculars and communication equipments. Supply of trekking
Such interventions
be vital
to ensure
the functionality
oneseems
of
boots and will
camping
gear
once every
five years of
also
the mostjustified
important,
though
underappreciated,
tiger
conservation
given the rugged terrain and frequency of visits required.
landscapes
on our planet.estimate of about Ngultrums fifteen hundred
A conservative
(75)
thousand (Nu. 15,00,000) would suffice for the procurement of
(37, 38, 39, 46, 72)
(8, 9, 75)
? (26)
(37, 38, 39, 46, 72)
suggest that anti-poaching stints be systematized across both
(8, 9, 75)
The UWICE
Policy
Brief’s
series aims
to bring the
latest research
protected
and
non-protected
landscapes
in Bhutan.
findings into mainstream policy domain and provides recommendations
5. environmental
Research intoissues.
why tigers do not venture towards the northon key
The
area.Pictures
Pictures
show
individual
from JSWNP
and p3).
TheJSWNP
JSWNP study
study area.
show
individual
tigers tigers
from JSWNP.
Numbers(p2
in brackets
Numbers
in brackets
tiger trap
pictures
relate
to they
camera
locations
where
on tiger pictures
relate toon
camera
locations
where
weretrap
captured.
Each camera
they were captured (see Map). Each camera has been labelled by a unique
has been labelled by a unique number (shown under green square boxes on the Map)
number (shown under green square boxes on the Map)
2
The JSWNP
study area. Pictures show individual tigers
from JSWNP
(p2 and p3).
Study
Area
Density
±SE
So far,
12 unique individual tigers have been identified
within JSWNP.
Numbers(Karanth
in brackets
tiger pictures relate to camera
trap locations where
Nagarahole
et al.on2004)
11.92±.71
Two (Karanth
of theseettigers
have been caught with 2 and
3 cubs
each at
Panna
al. 2004
6.94
± 3.23
they were captured
(see) Map). Each camera has been
labelled
by a unique
different
locations.
Bayesian
based
spatially
explicit
mark-recapture
Chilla (Harihar number
2005) (shown under green square boxes3.01
± 0.71
on the
Map)
models
estimate
– 26 tigers in JSWNP with a 3.27
density
of 2 tigers
Tadoba
(Karanth
et al.14
2004)
± 0.59
Kaziranga
et al. 2009) the finding of cubs means
26.39 ±5.65
per 100(Amhed
km2. Importantly,
that tigers are
So
far, (Kawanishi
12 unique
individual
tigers
have been identified
within JSWNP.
Malaysia
and
Sunquist
2004)
1.1 ± 0.52
breeding
and thriving
within
JSWNP.
Sumatra
et al. 2003)
1.6 each at
Two of(O’Brien
these tigers
have been caught with 2 and 3 cubs
Myanmar (Lynam et al. 2009)
0.21
different
locations.
based spatially explicit0.2
mark-recapture
Lao
PDR (Johnson
et al.Bayesian
2006)
JSWNP
(Wang
and Macdonald
2009) in JSWNP with a 0.52
± 0.05
models
estimate
14 – 26 tigers
density
of 2 tigers
RMNP
(Tempa
et al.
2011)
4.87 ±0.52
per 100
km2.
Importantly,
the finding of cubs means
that tigers are
breeding and thriving within JSWNP.
2) together with RMNP (1057 km2) constitute a
The JSWNP
(1723
such
basickm
necessities
once every 3 years.
significant portion within one of the largest contiguous protected
We calculate
anconservation
annual expenditure
of Ngultrums
thirty two
area 3.
landscapes
for tiger
in the world.
This landscape
hundred
thousand
(Nu.
32,00,000)
for
such
recurring
forms an important link between the Terai regions (of Nepal andpatrols.
These
funds should
be guaranteed
to the
Park either
Royal
India) with
landscapes
of Northeastern
India,
Myanmar,
andbySEthe
Asia
Government
or
be
sourced
from
conservation
donor
agencies.
and could very well be serving as a vital and irreplaceable source
for tigers
thisrecommendations
important tiger conservation
landscape.
4. Inwithin
line with
made in the Tiger
declaration, we
(16, 26, 69)
western portion of the park should be initated. This may yield
clues for how
to restore abandoned
habitats.
LongUWICEimportant
(www.uwice.gov.bt)
is abest
Government
research institute
under
term
habitat
monitoring
plots
should
be
established
together
with
the Department of Forests and Park Services,
monitoring
camera
trap
stations. of Bhutan.
Ministryweather
of Agriculture
and and
Forests,
Royal
Government
(16, 26, 69)
interventions and
will views
be vital
to ensure
the functionality
TheSuch
recommendations
expressed
herein
are solely of one of
the
most
important,
though
underappreciated,
tiger
conservation
that of the Authors and do not represent the legal views
of the
landscapes
on our
planet. The JSWNP which connects to the RMNP
Royal
Government
of Bhutan.
(16, 26, 69)
3
forms an important link between the Terai regions of Nepal and India
landscapes of Northeastern India, Myanmar, and SE Asia. Given
Thewith
current
on-going research within JSWNP and RMNP is being
the abundance of tigers, the JSWNP and RMNP Bhutan complex
supported by the Bhutan Foundation (www.bhutanfound.org)
could very well be serving as a source for tigers within the region.