Indexing

First camera-trap record of Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus (I. Geoffroy Saint‐ Hilaire, 1831) from Balaram-Ambaji wildlife sanctuary, Gujarat, India

Author: Vasantkumar M. Rabari, Arzoo Malik, Nishith Dharaiya

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Abstract

The present study is a part of an ongoing study on sloth bear ecology in the North Gujarat region. A rusty-spotted cat is believed to be the smallest cat from the family Felidae native to India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. During the camera trap survey of bear movement, a rusty-spotted cat was captured in the camera trap, which was deployed close to a water body at the Bedapani region of Balaram-Ambaji wildlife sanctuary, North Gujarat. Rusty-spotted cat has been reported from central Gujarat, south Gujarat, and Gir forests. This camera trap photograph is the first photographic report of the presence of a Rusty-spotted cat in the Balaram-Ambaji wildlife sanctuary adjoining to the Aravalis of Rajasthan state. This record is providing the presence of a very shy nocturnal cat in the study area which can be helpful for further studies on its distribution and range extension.

Keywords

Camera trap, mammals, small cat, western Aravalis, North Gujarat.

Conclusion

The present observation was made during our long- term monitoring of sloth bear movements and habitat use in North Gujarat. The sanctuary covers an approximate area of 542.08 km2 and falls into the catchment zone of River Banas and Sabarmati with a great floral and faunal diversity where sloth bear is a flagship species. The forest type is dry deciduous and it mostly dries up during the hot summer with an annual rainfall of 600 to 750mm. A camera trap is a widely used tool for monitoring and conservation of wild animal species. Camera traps were diploid near water bodies on wooden stacks or trees to cover as possible as capturing area.

References

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How to cite this article

First camera-trap record of Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus (I. Geoffroy Saint‐ Hilaire, 1831) from Balaram-Ambaji wildlife sanctuary, Gujarat, India