GENERAL

WILD ANIMALS

Physiography of the forest clad lands is mildly uneven in the district. Well clad forests occurring almost all over the district offer adequate cover for protection for wild life and foliage as a principal feed. Plain tracts contain to certain extent open type of forests of a low quality and is poor in fauna. With the recession of the biotic influences from the plains to the forested area, the hills and dales are observed to have preserved variety of wild animals.

Black Monkey.— The black monkey (Semnopithecus entellus; M. Wanar) has considerably increased in number and is commonly met with all over. They are frequently seen in big herds exceeding 50 in number.

Red Monkey.— The red monkey (Macacus rhesus) is not of common occurrence and is only occasionally found around Nagzira in the sanctuary area and in the Pratapgad hills.

Tiger.—The tiger (Felis tigris, M. Wagh) is the most majestic animal of the forests and prefers well-wooded stands richly stocked with wild herbivorous animals, such as Sambhars, Chitals, deer and pigs. Their number has recently considerably reduced and may not exceed 15 in the entire district. Cases of cattle lifting by tigers are common in the interior of the forests. There are reports of tigers turning into man-eaters.

Panther.— Two varieties of panthers, viz., the pard (Felis pardus, M. Bibtya or son-chita) and the panther (Felis panthera, M. Bibtya or Bibat) are common in the district. Pard is the smaller of the two and preys on small deer, village dogs and calves. It normally frequents the habitations in the forest areas. Panther is fairly heavily built and at times indulges in killing bigger animals both wild and domestic. The skin of both the varieties is richly marked with hollow black rings on a pale yellow background. It is exceedingly attractive and is much sought after by the sportsmen. There arc no reports of panthers turning into man-eaters.

Jungle Cat.— Jungle cat (Felis Chaus, M. Ran Manjar): It is fairly common all over the forest tracts. Varieties amongst them that are met with are ring tailed cat, golden cat and civet cat.

Hyaena.—Hyaena (Hyaena struatam, M. Taras): This animal, exclusively a scavenger in habit is found all over the tract.

Jackal and Fox.—Jackal (Canis aureus, M. Kolha) and Fox (Vulpes bengalensis M. Kolha) are found all over the district. These animals, however, frequent the lands under tillage and are reported to damage crops.

Wild Dog.—Wild dogs (Red dogs; M. Ran Kutra): These belong to the genus Canis and are reported to frequent forests around Landezari, Nagzira sanctuary and Khoba and Gothan-gaon blocks. They roam in packs and are very destructive to herbivorous game, particularly Sambhar and Chital. These animals fling around the Sambhar or Chital and detach biteful of flesh from the horrified living Sambhar or Chital which finds no way to escape the clutches of these wild dogs.

Bear.— The Indian sloth bear (Ursus vel melursus ursinus; M. Aswal): It is of rare occurrence in these forests, though it is certainly a surviving member of the wild fauna in the district. The beast with its stubborn combativeness certainly scares the man on the forest roads.

Badger.— The badger or ratel (Mellivora indica; M. Bijju) is occasionally found in the forests particularly in the dark hours.

Wild Pig.— The wild pig (Sus Scrofa fel cristatus; M. Ran Dukkar) : It is common all over the forests and particularly around the settlements in the vicinity of the forests. They cause considerable damage to crops of the forest villagers and raw bamboo shoots. Due to its destructive nature it is declared as vermin. The population of these species is also getting thinner and herds of over twenty are of rare occurrence.

Hare.— The common Indian hare (Lepus ruficandants, M. Sasa), is of very common occurrence all over the forests and bushes, surrounding lands under tillage. It feeds on succulent roots, tender bamboos and their rhyzomes and semul bulbs, causing considerable damage to these species in forest floor and nurseries as well.

Porcupine.— The Indian porcupine (Hystrix indica; M. Sayal); has brightly coloured spines; it is occasionally found in this tract. It feeds on roots and bulbs and is also reported to be scavenging in habit.

Mongoose.— Mongoose (M. Mungus): These are represented in the forest of the district by two varieties, viz., herpestes palidus vel circus and herpestes jerdemi.

Bison.—Indian bison (Bos vel gavaeus gaurus; M. Gava): It is a magnificent animal and has a very selective habitat amongst the luxuriant flora of Gaikhuri hills, Pratapgad hills and Nagzira game sanctuary. These animals cause extensive damage to young plantations and reproduction of forest species. A few herds are allowed to be shot on special big game licence with a view to minimise the destruction of the forest plantations.

Sambhar.—The sambhar (Rusa aristotelis; M. Sambhar) is restricted to main hill ranges, viz., Ambagad, Gaikhuri and Pratapgad. It is a huge animal much sought after by the sportsmen and poachers for its majestic horns, velvety soft hide when tanned and the flesh. Its number is on the decline in these forests.

Chital.— The chital or the Indian spotted deer (Axis maculatus; M. Chital) is one of the most attractively coloured deer and is abundantly found in the forests all over the district. During hot summer they cluster around perennial tanks in large numbers. Their number however has been declining in the forests kept open for shikar. With a view to preserving this beautiful deer and other fauna, a game sanctuary at Nagzira has been recently developed.

Barking Deer.— The barking deer (cervalus muntjac; M. Baiker) is abundantly found in the forests of the district.

Mouse Deer.—The mouse deer or spotted Indian chevrotain species belongs to the family Tragulidae. It is one of the smallest hoofed animals standing only 0.3 metre tall at the shoulders and measuring about 0.65 metres in length. It is occasionally found in the forests sheltered by Gaikhuri hills and Nagzira game sanctuary.

Blue Bull.— The blue bull (Portax pictus vel boselephas trago-camelu; M. Nilgai) is commonly met within the open forests all over the district.

Black Buck.— The black buck (Antelope bezoartica; M. Kalvit) used to be common in the plain forests of the district. Its number has considerably dwindled and a few animals are reported to be seen in the plain forests in the southern part of the district.

Chinkara.— Chinkara (Gazella bennettii; M. Chinkara) is of rare occurrence in the outskirts of the plain forests particularly surrounding lands under tillage.

Four Horned Antelope.—The four horned antelope (M. Charsingha) is rarely met in the forests of this tract.

Other Animals, Snakes, etc.—The grey squirrel (M. Kharadi, Sal). It is very common all over the district. At. times flying squirrels are met with during the dark hours in the forests. Lizards of various kinds, including ghorpad also frequent the forest floor. Snakes like cobra (Naga Naja Oxiana), krait, vipers (Vipera lebetina) and pythons (Rithou molurus) are occasionally found.

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