Document Type : Research articles
Authors
1
Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre, Bombay Natural History Society, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
2
Department of Zoology and Wildlife Biology, Government Arts College, Udhagamandalam 643 002, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India.
3
V.S.V. Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Coimbatore main road, Mattukadai, Tirupur-638 702. Tamil Nadu, India.
4
Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (FRLHT-TDU), Bengaluru, Karnataka 560064, India
5
Centre for Landscape Ecology, Research & Development Division, Fedstan GMC Register Private Limited, Chennai, amil Nadu, India 6Independent Environmental biologist, Nilgiris, India
6
Department of Zoology and Wildlife Biology, Government Arts College, Udhagamandalam 643 002, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
7
Independent Environmental biologist, Nilgiris, India.
Abstract
Indian peafowl, the national bird of India, faces significant threats from various anthropogenic activities. A study was conducted to assess the population status, habitat choice, and conservation challenges faced by the species in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, India. The study utilized road transects to estimate population, opportunistic surveys to determine tree roosting preferences, and structured questionnaires to assess people’s perceptions and conservation threats. The study recorded a total of 807 individuals (1.92 individuals/km) observed during 546 sightings along 420 km of road transects, with adult females having the highest number of sightings. Tree preferences for roosting identified seven species, with Cocos nucifera most preferred. Major conservation risks included habitat modification, food scarcity, hunting, and encroachment onto forest areas. Alarmingly, 93 Indian peafowls were documented as deceased due to poisoning incidents from 2016 to 2022. This study provides valuable data on the ecology and conservation needs of the Indian peafowl, emphasizing the importance of addressing these threats for their long-term survival in the Tirupur district.
Keywords
Main Subjects
)
Send comment about this article