Pug Impression Pad

Pug Impression Pads (PIP) are made by preparing a layer of fine soil about 2 cm thick on forest paths and animal tracks, situated so that animals will leave good footprint impressions.[1][2][3] PIPs are widely used in India for the census of tigers.[4][5][6] The first all-India tiger census in 1972 used this technique.[1]

Use

PIPs are located and sized such that an animal using the path walks over it and leaves its spoor without being disturbed. A glass plate, about 25cmx30cm in size, called a tiger tracer,[5] is then used to trace the outline of the pugmark that was left on the PIP. This tracing is then transferred to a protocol where over twenty pieces of other information about the PIP, the habitat, the pugmark and the direction of movement of tiger, etc. are recorded to help in analysis. Plaster casts may also be made from the tracks left in the PIP.

During the year 2002, in 71 tiger census units of Simlipal Tiger Reserve 8946 PIPs were laid over 1773 km of tracking routes, from which 764 pugmark tracings were collected along with 316 plaster casts.

The PIPs are created in clusters of 2-3 along long roads or at junctions of different tracking routes in a forest. Each PIP bears an identification number, which is used during data analysis.

Advantages

Some researchers have recently used ‘camera traps’ in place of PIPs for monitoring tiger movements. The technique of using PIP and ‘pugmark tracking’, however, has advantages in that PIPs can be created in large numbers and are available continuously, at low equipment cost. The method provides employment to people living in and around tiger habitats who possess skill in laying PIPs and participating in animal tracking. PIPs can also be used for round-the-year monitoring of tigers. The only maintenance they require is to be wiped clean after each day's data are recorded. The Forest Guards performing census duties obtain data about the tiger population, its composition, and tiger movement.

Nocturnal animals, difficult to see during the day, also leave their tracks on PIPs and information can be gathered about their distribution, density and activity. Beginners who wish to develop an interest in animal tracks and signs can create a few PIPs and monitor them daily. PIPs running alongside the garden fence can give a wealth of information through tracks and signs.

Disadvantages

Often, elephants find the PIPs attractive for a dust bath. PIPs also get damaged by strong winds, dew, and rain.[7] Therefore, PIPs need to be regularly monitored and maintained to get good pugmarks.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://environmentportal.in/node/12698
  2. ↑ Singh, L. A. K. (1999): A pocket book for forest guards: Tracking Tigers. WWF Tiger Conservation Programme, New Delhi, 39pp.
  3. ↑ Singh, L. A. K. (2000): Tracking Tigers : Guidelines for Estimating Wild Tiger Population Using the Pugmark Technique. (Revised Edition). WWF Tiger Conservation Programme, New Delhi, 38pp.
  4. ↑ Choudhury, S. R. (1970) Let us count our tigers. Cheetal, 12(2), May, 1970: 41-51.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Choudhury, S. R. (1970) The Tiger Tracer. Cheetal, 13(1), October, 1970.
  6. ↑ Panwar, H. S. (1979): A note on Tiger Census Technique based on Pugmark Tracings. Indian Forester, Special Issue on International Symposium on Tiger, Feb, 1979:70-77.
  7. ↑ http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080918/jsp/siliguri/story_9848618.jsp

External links