Rapid camera-trap assessment of mammals in Tripura, India: new records and implications for conservation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10251.18.5.28750-28769Keywords:
Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, camera-trapping, species diversity, faunal inventory, small carnivores, primate assemblage, wetland ecosystem, habitat connectivity, photographic evidance, biodiversity monitoring, landscape fragmentationAbstract
This study presents first ever rapid camera-trapping assessment of mammals across protected areas of Tripura, northeastern India, located within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Surveys were conducted between January and April 2024 in Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary, Clouded Leopard National Park, Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary, Bison National Park, and Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary, resulting in 469 trap nights. A total of 19 mammalian species belonging to 16 genera, 10 families, and four orders were documented. Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary recorded the highest species diversity, followed by Sepahijala and Gumti. This study features the first photographic evidence of the Ferret Badger, range extensions for the Malayan Porcupine and the Fishing Cat. These findings fill important distribution gaps and highlight the conservation significance of Tripura’s fragmented forests and wetland mosaics. Despite their small size and increasing anthropogenic pressures, the protected areas of Tripura support a diverse mammalian assemblage. The study demonstrates the value of rapid, pragmatic field approaches for generating essential ecological information under resource constraints and underscores the need for continued monitoring and regional connectivity planning.
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