Spotted Deer at Nagarahole Tiger Reserve

Visitors to Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Karnataka are likely to spot Spotted deer, whose population has steadily increased to 28 per sq. km.

About Nagarahole Tiger Reserve

• Location: Situated in the Western Ghats, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• Water Bodies: Nagarahole River flows through the reserve and joins the Kabini River, which forms a boundary with Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
• Contiguity: Connected with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) and Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka).
• Recognition: Identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA), a Project Tiger reserve, and a Project Elephant reserve.
• Flora: Dominated by moist deciduous forests, including teak and rosewood trees.
• Fauna: Home to tigers, leopards, Indian gaur, elephants, spotted deer, and other wildlife.
• Tribal Presence: Jenu Kurubas (honey-collecting tribe) inhabit the reserve.

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About Spotted Deer (Chital)

• The spotted deer, also known as Chital (Axis axis), is one of the most common deer species in India and plays a vital role in forest ecosystems.
• Distribution
  • Native Range: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh (mainly in the Sundarbans).
  • Introduced Range: Andaman Islands (India), Argentina, Australia, Texas (USA), and other locations.
• Habitat: Found in deciduous forests, grasslands, and scrublands.
• Diet: Primarily grazes on grasses, leaves, fruits, and herbs, making it an important herbivore in forest ecosystems.
• Unique Habit: Exhibits placentophagy (eating placenta), a rare behavior among herbivores, aiding in predator avoidance by eliminating scent traces.
• Activity Period: Exhibits crepuscular behavior, being most active during dawn and dusk, though it occasionally forages during the day.
• Ecological Role
  • Serves as a primary prey species for large predators like tigers and leopards.
  • Aids in seed dispersal and maintains grassland ecosystems.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN Red List: Listed as “Least Concern” due to its wide distribution and stable population.
  • Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Included in Schedule II, offering protection from hunting.

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