Volume 24, Issue 74, July - December, 2023

Utilization of artificial water holes by tiger (Panthera tigris) and its prey species in dry season in Bardia National Park of Nepal

Ashim Thapa¹, Abhinaya Pathak^1♦, Basudev Pokhrel², Ashish Bashyal³, Ajay Karki¹, Bed Kumar Dhakal¹, Saneer Lamichhane⁴

¹Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation, Babarmahal, Kathmandu, Nepal
²Faculty of Forestry, Agriculture and Forestry University, Heatuda Campus, Nepal
³Biodiversity Conservancy Nepal, Manigram, Rupandehi-32903, Nepal
⁴Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA

^♦Corresponding author
Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation, Babarmahal, Kathmandu, Nepal

ABSTRACT

Waterholes play a crucial role in wildlife habitats, serving as a determining factor in maintaining a healthy ecosystem for wildlife. In the core area of the park, a total of 179 artificial waterholes were constructed to provide water to various wildlife species, with 24 of them selected for this study. The research utilized camera trapping, signs surveys, and direct observation methods. The camera trapping survey revealed that 17 different wildlife species frequented the artificial waterholes, and among them, 11 were identified as prey species for tigers. Interestingly, the study found that tigers primarily utilized artificial waterholes during the night or at dusk, while prey species used them both day and night. Tigers were recorded in seven different artificial waterholes, with pugmarks observed in an additional eight. In contrast, prey species were recorded in all selected artificial waterholes. Notably, the study identified a unique pattern of waterhole usage, with both tigers and their prey species sharing waterholes without temporal partitioning. Among the waterholes, those in grasslands were more frequently used by the prey base compared to others. Additionally, a greater diversity of wildlife species was recorded in the grassland waterholes. Based on these findings, it is recommended to conduct an in-depth study to explore the temporal and spatial aspects of the prey-predator waterhole usage relationship in Bardia National Park.

Keywords: Waterholes, Tiger, Prey species, Utilization, Bardia National Park, Camera Trapping, Biodiversity Index, Dry season

Species, 2023, 24(74), e91s1619

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v24i74.e91s1619

Published: 16 December 2023