Sloth bear, leopard census begins today

TOI
Ahmedabad
Fri,20 May 2016
Summary: Ahmedabad: The three-day leopard and sloth bear census will begin from Friday. We have also roped in retired forest officials, volunteers and NGOs to help in the census which will be conducted across Gujarat." "The sloth bear census will be largely reliant on camera traps as the animal's habitat is covered with adequate number of cameras. Only local residents from Junagadh, Gir-Somnath and Amreli will be allowed to be a part of the leopard census in Gir Sanctuary and nearby areas. Apart from camera traps volunteers and forest officials will be keeping a close watch on animal movements," said the official.Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (wildlife) JA Khan said, "We have deployed 6000 forest officials for the three-day exercise.

Ahmedabad: The three-day leopard and sloth bear census will begin from Friday. The forest department has stationed 100-odd cameras across wildlife sanctuaries to record movements of sloth bears and leopards.A senior state forest official said, "This year we have restricted the flow of volunteers and NGOs in Gir and nearby areas. Only local residents from Junagadh, Gir-Somnath and Amreli will be allowed to be a part of the leopard census in Gir Sanctuary and nearby areas.

The decision to include locals was taken as our previous experience have taught us that volunteers from Ahmedabad, Vadodara and other parts of the state tend to be more interested in their personal photography than movements of the animal."The sloth bear census will be largely reliant on camera traps as the animal's habitat is covered with adequate number of cameras. "Of the 100 odd cameras, 50 are in Gir sanctuary and 10 cameras each in Jambughoda, Ratanmahal, Soolpaneshwar, Balaram-Ambaji and Jessore sanctuaries. Apart from camera traps volunteers and forest officials will be keeping a close watch on animal movements," said the official.Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (wildlife) JA Khan said, "We have deployed 6000 forest officials for the three-day exercise.


Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Sloth-bear-leopard-census-begins-today/articleshow/52353450.cms