SPOTTED DEER

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.thequint.com/news/hot-news/spotted-deer-blackbucks-dead-in-nagpur-rescue-centre

Context: The Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Mysuru Zoo) successfully translocated 40 spotted deer from its facility in Mysuru city to the Pansoli range in Kali Tiger Reserve in Dandeli, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka.

About Spotted Deer

Feature	Description
Other Names	Chital, Cheetal Deer, Axis Deer
Origin	Indian subcontinent (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan)
Habitat	Grasslands, open forests, scrub jungles
Size	Male: 90 cm shoulder height, 70-90 kg weight Female: 70 cm shoulder height, 40-60 kg weight
Lifespan	20-30 years
Appearance	Coat: Golden-rufous with white spots, white underbelly Antlers: Present only on males, three-pronged, curved, up to 3 feet long, shed annually
Diet	Grasses, leaves, fruits, flowers, sometimes consume shed antlers
Social Behavior	Lives in herds of 10-50 individuals, mainly females and young with 1-2 males
Breeding	Mating Season: Prolonged due to warm climate, females can conceive year-round Gestation Period: 227 days Offspring: Typically one or two fawns per litter, can birth twice a year
IUCN Status	Least Concern
Some Facts	Can run up to 60 km/h (37 mph) in short bursts. Antlers signal dominance; larger, harder antlers indicate higher social status. Can ingest their shed antlers for calcium and other nutrients. Play an important role in their ecosystem by dispersing seeds through grazing.

Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR)

• Originally known as Anshi National Park, it was established in 1987.
• In 2015, it was renamed Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR) to honour the Kali River, which is a significant aspect of the region.
• It is situated in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India, covering an area of 1300 square kilometres.
• The reserve was formed by combining Anshi National Park and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.

Geographical Features

• Nestled within the Western Ghats mountain range, specifically the Sahyadri sub-range.
• Diverse topography includes rolling hills, plateaus, valleys, steep slopes, gorges, and plateaus.
• The highest peak is Kavala, standing at 738 meters.
• The Kali River is the primary river flowing through the reserve, shaping the landscape and providing essential water resources.

Flora

• The reserve boasts a rich variety of semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, housing over 1,000 plant species.
• Common trees include teak, rosewood, mahogany, bamboo, and sandalwood.
• The vegetation is diverse, encompassing medicinal plants and fruit trees.

Fauna

• The flagship species of the reserve is the endangered Bengal tiger.
• Other prominent mammals include leopards, elephants, gaur (Indian bison), Indian muntjac (barking deer), sambar deer, wild boars, monkeys (langurs, macaques), and sloth bears.
• The avifauna is diverse, featuring hornbills, kingfishers, egrets, eagles, peacocks, jungle fowls, owls, and vultures.
• Reptilian inhabitants include snakes (cobras, pythons), lizards (monitors), and mugger crocodiles.

Tribals

• The region is home to several tribal communities, including Siddi, Halakki Vokkal, Gowli, and Thanadar, who have lived in the area for centuries.
• Traditional livelihoods involve agriculture, collection of non-timber forest products (honey, medicinal plants), and small businesses related to eco-tourism.
• These communities have a deep cultural connection to the forest and contribute to traditional knowledge and conservation practices.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which tribal community is NOT traditionally associated with the Kali Tiger Reserve? A) Siddi B) Halakki Vokkal C) Gond D) Thanadar Answer: C Explanation: Siddi, Halakki Vokkal, and Thanadar are all mentioned in news articles and other sources as being present in the Kali Tiger Reserve area. Some specific examples include: ●Siddi: Their presence is documented in news articles discussing issues impacting them within the reserve. ●Halakki Vokkal: Their traditional practices and challenges related to the reserve are mentioned in various sources. ●Thanadar: Their collaboration with the reserve authorities for conservation initiatives is documented in news reports. Gond, while being a well-known tribal community in India, is primarily concentrated in Central India, particularly in states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. These regions are geographically distinct from the Western Ghats, where the Kali Tiger Reserve is located. Therefore the Gond tribe is the least likely to be traditionally associated with the Kali Tiger Reserve due to their established geographical location in Central India.