SGNP waterhole census: More leopards, but less deer sighted

More leopards were sighted in this year’s waterhole census conducted in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) than last year. According to the data released by SGNP on Thursday, 10 leopards were sighted in the waterhole census conducted on on April 30, three more compared to last year.

Although the leopard count was more compared to last year, the overall count of animal sightings have gone down. The count of spotted deer went down to 295 as compared to 392 sightings last year.

Mohan Naikwadi, Assistant Conservator of Forest, SGNP, said, “Although sightings were less compared to last year, one good thing about this year’s census was that there was ample natural water for the animals owing to good monsoon last year.”

Since it is easier to spot animals during full moon, the census is conducted annually on Buddha Poornima, which fell on April 30 this year. It was carried out by SGNP officials with over 100 volunteers. They kept vigil at the water holes across Borivli National Park, Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary and Yeoor range of SGNP.

Besides deer and leopards, many other animals such as sambar deer, wild boar, wild cat, peacock, langoor, red-faced monkey, mongoose, bats, owls, among others were also spotted during the census.

There are around 43 watering holes in the national park and a machan was set up near each of them for teams to record animal sightings as they went to quench their thirst, said SGNP officials.

Although the data is more of an estimate than a census, officials and environmentalists say public participation in wildlife conservation is the biggest plus point. “The census is nothing but a general observation and will give you an estimation. Some animals will come to drink water on that day while some will not,” said Krishna Tiwari, a naturalist and founder of the NGO Forest and Wildlife Conservation Society.