Biodiresity of thattekad Hen Sanctuary in Kerala Grows Richer as Survey Reveals 9 New Species

A Complete Three-Day Faunal Survey at Thetkad Hen Santuary, Close to Kothamangalam in Ernakulam, Kerala, Has Added 9 Species Information Information to its official biodirsity Guidelines. The Findings at Kerala’s first chook sanctuary has reaffed its place as one of many richest ecological zones within the western ghats.

Organized Collectively by the Kerala Forest Division and Thiruvananthapuram-Primarily based Travancore Nature Historical past Society (TNHS), The Survey BROUGHT TOCHER NEARLY 30 SUBCETS FROM ACROM ACEPTERS State. They had been supported by forest employees and deployed Throughout Six Six Survey Camps to Cowl all key habitats and elevation zones with.Km. Sanctuary.

The composite faunal survey adopted a multi-taxa method overlaying butterflies, odonates (dragonflies and damselflies), birds, ants, crabs, cicadas, mots, amphibions and fishes.

A complete of 113 butterfly species had been recorded, Together with 4 new additions, viz., Additional Lascar, Yellow Jack SAILOR, Yellow-Breasted Flat and Bar-Bar-BAR BUSHBRON.

The buddha peacock, kerala’s state butterfly, was steadily sighted exhibiting egg-chickping conduct, whereas speech corresponding to malabar rose, blue oakleaf and southern birding Range.

The Odonate Guidelines at thattekad Grew to 88 Species, with 5 New Information: Wayanad Bowtail (Macrogomphus Wayanadicus), Noticed Torrent-Hawk (Epophthalmia frontalis), Travancore dagger-head (Idionyx travancorensis), Malabar sprite (Pseudagrion malabaricum) and malabar bambootail (Melanoneura bilineata).

Malabar sprite (Pseudagrion malabaricum)
Photograph Credit score: Muhammed Ameen

Giant Swarms of Frequent Image WingAnd wandering glider waste, Together with Western Ghats Endemics Comparable to Euphaea Fraseri and Lyriothemis abrahmi.

A Whole of 104 Hen Species WERE DOCUMEND, FEATURING RAPTORS Such because the Lesser Fish Eagle, Eurasian Sparrow Hawk, Created Goshawk and Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl. Forest Specialists

The survey groups additionally recorded different fauna, together with herds of elephants, gaur and scaly anteater. There was additionally sightings of the king cobra, eight fish speech, 30 specials of ants, two freshwater crab specials, 22 specials of moms and 5 amphibians.

Ecologists engaged within the faunal survey at thattekad chook sanctary in ernakulam. , Photograph Credit score: Particular Association

G. Jayachandran, Wildlife Warden, Idukki Wildlife Division, Who Inauched this system, mentioned thattekad stays a jeweel of the western ghats. “Discoveries corresponding to these remind us of the sanctary’s irreplaceable position in conservation and analysis,” He factors out.

Inputs for Conservation Planning

He provides that the survey’s findings not solely add to the scientific database, but in addition present important inputs for conservation planning. Periodic Documentation Helps Observe Ecosystem Adjustments, Assess Inhabitants Tendencies of Threatened Species and Strengthen the Sanstory’s repute as a worldwide vacation spot for nature synance.

White-Bar BushBrown | Photograph Credit score: Suhas R.

In response to Kalesh Sadasivan, Analysis Affiliate, TNHS, The Survey Highlights the relevance of the biodirsity areae past a birding hotspot. “Thattekad is a residing laboratory. The addition of the brand new species data underscores the worth of systematic surveys. Each particular specs documented is a buystanding block inwarding Operate. “