Lack of database pushes small wild animals to extinction

The State Animal Husbandry department and the National Biodiversity Authority are gearing up with an action plan to maintain records related to livestock census and natural resources in Tamil Nadu. But the State Forest department is yet to wake up to it.

While the numbers of tigers and elephants are closely monitored by authorities and activists alike, the same attention is not paid when it comes to smaller mammals, birds and other species.This is true not just in the case of “less majestic” mammals like pangolins and monitor lizards,but even in the case of peacocks, our national bird. In fact, there is not even a proper census to enumerate any of them.

The Forest department does not maintain a database on small mammals, and plants and trees in the capital city. The department had promised a tree census but that was seven years ago. There is no official data available on thepopulation or features of jackal, pangolin, palm civet, monitor lizard and mongoose. This can have worrying consequences.

For instance, Forest department estimates show that the number of mongoose and anteaters have decreased by an alarming 50 per cent in just two years due to poaching in the Greater Chennai area.

Small mammals are not endangered, at least not yet, but there is a steady market for their meat, skin and fur, which requires efforts to track and conserve them before it is too late.

The Chennai Wildlife Rescue Headquarters, Velachery, maintains a record – but only the animals rescued in the city. (Every year, around 7,000 animals are rescued from the city. From February to September, this year, foresters rescued 3,000 spotted deer, 2,000 snakes, 1,300 monkeys, and 676 birds both migratory and terrestrial.)

The lack of comprehensive information is impeding the proper rehabilitation and habitat infusion of even the rescued animals.

“This is not the case in India alone. Many countries are unable to concentrate on small mammals, particularly the marine and amphibians, and also insects. Coimbatore and Tiruchy do have some data on insects and mammals, but the picture is not encouraging in other parts of the State,” conservation scientist A Kumaraguru, member, Sathyamangalam Tiger Conservation Authority, told DT Next.

The census for small mammals is usually conducted by researchers or depends on the students pursuing PhD, he said, adding that no official team was allotted for such micro-level surveys. “In developed nations like the US and Singapore, they have a database for every season. Chennai should start thinking on those lines,” he added.

Smaller animals are more vulnerable to poaching as there is still a demand for game meat and various animal products like skin, said Preston Ahimaz, an avid bird watcher and naturalist.

Peacocks and mongoose are a case in point. There is no database on them, which are poached for feather and brush hair respectively. The case is not different with pangolin, monitor lizard and star tortoises. They are commercially exploited and smuggled to Asian countries. As there is no data on such animals and birds, conservation and enforcements become difficult. Larger animals like tigers and elephants are also at risk but the data inflow is higher.

“It is easier to maintain a record of the number of elephants than mongoose. But data on small animals is as necessary for scientific studies. The government must encourage youngsterspassionate about wildlife research and focus on small mammals, birds and insects, too,” opined wildlife biologist RJ Ranjit Daniels, Trustee, Care Earth trust.

Kumaraguru agreed, pointing out that there was a restriction on other graduates entering the field of forestry. “This should be relaxed to encourage those passionate about wildlife, irrespective of their educational background, to join the Forest department or conservation activities,” he said.

Calling for a periodical census, he also said the institutions doing research on small animals should be recognised by the State government for their work. “Bharathidasan University in Tiruchy works on census and maintains a recordfor more than 35 years. But, in my view, the institution is not given its due recognition,” rued Kumaraguru.

Meanwhile, when asked about it, CH Padma, Chennai Wildlife Warden, said, “There is no census or estimation carried out in non-forest areas currently. If needed, a survey or study can be carried out.”