GENERAL

WILD ANIMALS

Following are animals and birds commonly found in the district: -

Two kinds of monkeys are found, the large grey hanger monkey or Vanar (Semnopithecus entellus) and the Makad (Macacus radiatus). Neither is often met, though both may be seen in most of the deeper forests. The fruit-eating bat or flying fox, Vadvagul (Pteropus medius) and several other varieties of bats are not very uncommon. The musk rat (Sorex Cserulescens) is common. The black bear (Ursus, Labiatus M. Aswal) is occasionally met with on the Sahyadris and is reported to be seen sometimes on the Raygad range. The Indian Otter, Ud (Lutra nair), is common in the Mandad Creek and probably occurs in most tidal rivers. There are always to be met with one or two tigers, Vagh (Felis tigris) in the district. The Sagargad and Mahan forests of Alibag taluka, the Khandas forests of Karjat taluka, and the Sukavli forests of Nagothna range have almost always a tiger and forests on the Roha-Habsan frontier generally hold one or two. The Panther, 'Biblya Vagh' (Felis pardus) is common, but on account of large amount of cover, is seldom spotted out. Very often the Panther makes its appearance on the outskirts of a village at odd hours of night and lifts small cattle or domestic fowls. Recently, presence of Panther has been spotted over Matheran plateau, Khalapur, Karjat and Alibag ranges. Some Panthers have also been shot for protection of cattle. The common jungle cat, Baul (Felis Chaus) is often seen in the forests. It is reported to form a delicious meat to the local forest dwellers. The striped Hyaena, Taras (Hyaena Striata), occurs in the vicinity of Mahad. The Civet cat, Kalindra, (Viverra Malaccensis) is rather rare, but the black wild cat, Manori (Paradoxurus nusanga) and the Mungus (Herpestes griseus) are found everywhere. Jackals, Kolha (Canis aureus) are numerous, and the Indian Fox, Khokad (Vulpes bengalensis) is sometimes seen. The Red squirrel (Sciurus elphinstonei) is now and then met in the thicket forests. The fixe-striped squirrel, Giluri or Khar-kundi (Sciurus palmarum) is common over, the whole district. Porcupines, Sayal (Hystrix leucura) are often found in the forests, but these animals though probably numerous are seldom seen. They do considerable damage in some places to young teak or other plantations in the forest. The Hare (Lepus nigricollis) is not very plentiful, probably owing to the ways in which they are netted by Katkaris and others. The Wild Boar, Dukkar (Sus indicus) is found in almost every forest and on almost every hill. They are much hunted by the Katkaris but show no signs of decline in number. Of Deer, the Sambar (Rusa aristotelis), is sometimes met in the Roha-Habsan forests, but is exceedingly rare. The Spotted Deer, Chital (axis Makulatus) is more common, but is also rare and found only in the Roha-Habsan, Mahan and Khandas forests. Shooting by poachers and local forest dwellers, and by agriculturists in the name of crop protection, are the major causes of its decline, as also of other animals of deer family. The Canine Deer or Muntjac, called 'Bhekar' by the local people, (carvulus aureus), is not uncommon on the Sahyadris. Mouse Deer, Pisora (Memimna indica), is rarely found. The common deer found is four-horned antelope, also called 'Bhekar' (Tetraceros quadricornis). It is sometimes seen on tops of hills. An animal locally called 'Rui' and which has not been fully identified but resembles Blue Bull (Nilgai) is reported to be found near Apta in Panvel range and in parts of Sudhagad range.

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