A two-day survey, which concluded on Thursday, revealed a
large presence of feral cattle in Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary. If found
posing a threat to the wild animals in the sanctuary, they could be
culled, sanctuary authorities said.
Feral cattle are
domesticated animals — cow and bison — that were sent for grazing in the
forest long back. Over the years, they made the sanctuary their
habitat. Though they are wild in nature, feral cattle are not protected
under the Wildlife (protection) Act 1972.
The survey
was conducted at Vellackamaly, Vairamony and Konnakuzhy by a 30-member
team under Mahesh Mohan, Assistant Professor, School of Environment
Science,
Mahatma Gandhi University and co-ordinated
by ornithologist R. Sugathan. The feral cattle were mostly trapped
inside the sanctuary after the Idukki dam was constructed.
The
sanctuary hosts the largest number of feral cattle in Kerala now — over
250 cattle as per the survey. Whether the cattle pose a threat to the
wild population in the sanctuary could be analysed only on the basis of
their population density and habitat features, Mr. Mohan said
.
The number of wild animals such as sambar deer and
mouse deer, the main competitors for food, was found less. However, the
presence of large number of calves showed that the population of feral
cattle was on an upward growth.
Idukki Wildlife
Warden P.R. Suresh said an impact study would be conducted soon, after
when a decision on culling would be taken. He said the habitat pattern
of wild animals too needed to be analysed.
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