Gaja, Cauvery floods cast positive impact on wildlife

However, this has made a positive impact on the wildlife of the region. Gaja and Cauvery floods have reportedly helped a type of carnivorous animals, including Otters and Monitor Lizards to strengthen their population and habitat.

A recently synchronised bird census by foresters in Tiruvarur and Thanjavur showed that there is an increase in the sighting of these less known species following the natural disasters in December 2018.

“Otters have always bred along the Cauvery river, but the recent sightings in delta region is encouraging. Last year, a few adult Otters were sighted in Vaduvur bird sanctuary and this year they were spotted with three cubs,” said S Ramasubramanian, conservator of forests, Thanjavur circle. The field officers and biologists were asked to study the Otters in detail, the top official said.    

Biologist K Brinda from Tiruchy’s Biodiversity Conservation Foundation said, “India is a hotspot for Otter poaching, and recent report by TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network endangered both Otter and Monitor lizards.” While Otters are the most sought after in Asian illegal pet trade market, the Monitor Lizards is poached in India for their meat, explained Brinda. “Not much scientific studies and research is done on small mammals. The habitat of both Otters and Monitor Lizards depend on wetlands that are under biotic pressure. Our organisation will also reach out seeking sponsors to study the species and their conservation in detail,” Brinda added.

M Koushik, a student of VIT Nature Club shared that it was a visual delight to record the movements of Monitor Lizards in Uthayamarthandapuram. The lizards usually survive by preying on the eggs and chicks of visiting migratory birds.

According to a census that was carried out last month, after Gaja, active movements of monitor lizards were recorded, said Mannargudi forest range officer A Thaheer Ali. The Uthayamarthandapuram sanctuary witnessed large damages to its green cover, but the insect biodiversity from the collapsed trees is boosting the reptile population, particularly monitor lizards, the ranger said adding that the anti-poaching watchers were sensitised on increasing the surveillance so that there is no threat from poachers.

These are giant sized lizards commonly found in Asia and Africa. Monitor lizards are one of the highly poached reptiles for meat and leather. Recently the lizards also gained popularity in the pet trade market. Monitor lizards are found in thick forests and in dry scrub jungles and they are mostly carnivores targeting eggs, nesting birds, fish and insects. In Tamil Nadu, the size of monitor lizard ranges from 1.5 feet to 2.5 feet. They are commonly found in Vellore, Kancheepuram and Western and central districts of Tamil Nadu.  

Otters are great swimmers and require at least ten per cent of their body weight as feed per day. The specie usually hunts for fish in rivers. Hogenakkal, parts of Cauvery wildlife sanctuary and Moyar river in Mudumalai are known for their otter population. They also survive near check dams and large wetlands in the delta districts of Tamil Nadu. The gestation period for otters is about 60 to 86 days. The newborn pup is cared for by the mother for about two to three months. The playful otters are now facing habitat destruction due to the lack of perennial rivers.They also feed on frogs and small water birds.