Unsung Heroes of Manas: A success story of Revival of the Hog deer population in Manas National Park

“Only if we understand will we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if we help shall all be saved.” – Jane Goodall

Hog deer (Axis porcinus) is an even-toed hoofed ungulate belonging to the family Cervidae, along with the Sambar and Muntjacs. Populations of Hog deer range across the South and Southeast Asian countries, where they are known to be declining steadily. Although they have been classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List Category, very few studies have been carried out on their populations, except for a few in Nepal, Cambodia, and Myanmar. The Indian scenario doesn’t look very promising either, as they are only found in protected areas along the plains of rivers Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra from Punjab to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, and no recent assessments have been conducted to monitor this. To complement this lack of information, researchers in the current study diligently assessed the population and threats in the rather arduous landscape of Manas National Park in Assam.

Hog(in) grass

Hog deer are predominantly attracted to and prefer wet, tall grasslands and shrublands and avoid closed canopies. They are known as grassland obligate, referring to their complete dependency on grasslands for survival and continuity. Manas, the conglomeration of different forest types, has about 40% grassland habitat that provides refuge to other obligates like the Indian Rhino, Hispid Hare, Pygmy Hog, Bengal Florican, Swamp Deer, and Asiatic Water Buffalo.

Mayhem in Manas

Manas National Park is situated in Assam’s foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. Once a sanctuary for Hog Deer, it harboured nearly 10,000 individuals until the late 1980s. Crisis struck as the ethnopolitical conflict shook the National Park, causing large-scale damage affecting its habitat, wildlife, and management leading to declines in Hog deer and other herbivore populations. Every storm shall pass, and so did the fifteen-year-long unrest, finally coming to a halt in 2003. Following this, combined efforts by the government and conservationists resulted in better enforcement of laws and enhanced protection for the One-horned Rhinoceros, the Bengal Tiger, and the Hog deer.

Ray of hope

In contrast to a previous study conducted on foot in 2008, the current survey conducted over two years on elephant backs revealed a higher overall density, indicating the recovery of Hog deer populations since the end of the armed conflict in 2003. Traveling on elephant backs provided easy accessibility through the grasslands to estimate the Hog deer populations using distance sampling method along line transects.  This accessibility was achievable due to enhanced protection and anti-poaching measures. However, it is important to note that efforts must not stop here, as immediate attention and action are still required for their conservation.

Key highlights from the study:

• The present study lays out a baseline population estimate for future conservation studies on Hog deer populations.
• Deer populations experienced a negative impact during the political conflict, following which they have recovered due to the restoration of peace.
• Collective efforts by the forest officials and local poachers turned conservation volunteers are to be credited for the success story of the Hog deer in Manas.
  • The higher the prey base, the higher the predator density, indicating the vital ecological role of Hog deer.
  • Threats that undermine the Hog deer population persist, such as snare traps placed by local villagers for consumption and feral dog attacks, for which stringent actions must be taken to avoid further decline.
  • Habitat degradation, invasive plant species, and anthropogenic disturbances can deteriorate existing conditions for their populations unless countermeasures are taken.
• Grasslands in Manas are one of the last remaining habitats in the Terai landscape and are crucial for Hog deer survival.
• Long-term monitoring of the populations and the protection of their habitats are required for systematic planning and devising conservation strategies.

Reference:

1. Sinha, A., Lahkar, B. P., & Hussain, S. A. (2019). Current population status of the endangered Hog Deer Axis porcinus (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Cervidae) in the Terai grasslands: a study following political unrest in Manas National Park, India Â. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 11(13), 14655-14662.