Study Design
The Chure range was divided into 4 blocks (size
~2,200–6,400 km2) for easy
organization of the survey. Each block was further divided into grids of
size 10 Х 10 km2 and surveyed in two to three shifts
successively. Biologists and experienced wildlife technicians with over
a decade long field experience of wildlife conducted the survey in the
field. The survey team was trained on survey protocols and wildlife sign
identification before starting the survey to ensure the quality of the
data. Out of 322 grids cells in the entire Chure range, 223 were
surveyed which falls in the forested areas. The grids were further
divided into 16 sub-grids of 2.5 Х 2.5 km2 (n=3,568).
The survey was conducted between 2016 and 2018. We could not cover the
entire Chure range in a single year due to the large area and limited
human resources available. We carried out the survey in the same season
(post-monsoon) to avoid the potential bias from surveys in different
years.
A 2km long random walking transect with four segments of 500m was
surveyed within a sub-grid which was used as a replicate. We targeted
the existing trails and dirt roads (where possible) to minimize the
likelihood of false absences. We recorded the presence/absence of the
tracks, fresh droppings, and other signs (feeding sign, territory
marking etc.) to detect the presence of large and medium-sized mammal
species at each segment in the standard data format as sample
covariates. Similarly, the human pressure as looping, encroachment and
livestock presence was recorded in each segment.