ESTIMATING MAMMALIAN ABUNDANCE AND OCCUPANCY IN TROPICAL FOREST INDIAN HIMALAYA, DAMPA TIGER RESERVE, MIZORAM, INDIA

It is common to use noninvasive camera traps for detecting mammals in the Neotropics. However, little research has been conducted to evaluate how effective this method is for monitoring species diversity. In Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR), 43 line-transect surveys and automated acoustic monitoring were carried out between August 2014 and March 2016. This information provides baseline knowledge of global mammal distribution and abundance. Twenty-five mammalian species were identified during the survey, and 15 were confirmed through photographs and direct sightings. Among these species, 6 are endangered, 1 is deficient in data, 1 is lower risk, 11 are vulnerable, 5 are near-threatened, and 16 are of least concern according to the 2010 IUCN Red List. The majority of trapped was Ursus thibetanus, Helarctos malayanus, Neofelis nebulosa, Bos gaurus, Sus scrofta, Rusa unicolor, Hystrix indica and Atherurus marourus. Mammals were found in New Chika (40.57%), Old Chika (19.04%), Malpui (22.85), Tuilut (21.5%), Tuichar (12.63%), IR camp (33.33%) and Pathloi (6.25%). Among the mammals in the area, Sus scrofta (16.26%) was the most abundant. The activity pattern indicates a large carnivorous preferring evening or late at night. Most photos were taken between 4.00 and 10:00 pm and 4.00 to 8:00 am for the Asian black bear and Malayan sun bear, respectively. During the hours of 6-12 pm, small carnivorous animals were active. Study results demonstrate that using camera traps, monitoring programs, and local knowledge could provide precise information about the abundance and distribution of mammals in a reserve that indeed could serve to conserve the species for the long term.