Species

THE LEOPARD OR PANTHER (Panthera pardus)

Leopard is one of the big cats found in Gujarat state. It is also one of the most adapted animals and, therefore, its population is steadily increasing in the state. Leopard is found almost throughout the state in all the districts except Ahmedabad district. The cluster of rosettes on the golden body makes the animal one of the most attractive animals in the animal kingdom. Leopard lives for around 20 years. It is a nocturnal animal and hunts during the night. It predates upon deer, monkeys, dogs, peacocks and sheep and goats. Because of its hunting habits, the carnivore often enters into conflicts with human beings. Leopard is able to climb upon a tree easily, sometimes with the carcass of its prey. Barking of the dogs in the vicinity of villages and guttural warning calls of the monkeys in the jungle often give away the presence of the carnivores. The female gives birth to 2-4 cubs in a litter after a gestation period of 84-90 days.

The population of leopard is continuously on increase. Presently, there are more than "1070" (as per 2006 census) leopards in the state.

SMALL INDIAN CIVET (Viverricula indica)

Small Indian Civet is an animal with a body longer than cat and with pointed face and elliptical head. The legs are short and there are rows of dots on the entire body and around 7-9 black and white rings on the tail. Its longevity is around 10-15 years and weight is around 3 kg. The length of the tail is 90 cm. The female gives birth to 3-5 offspring in a litter. This animal is found in the forests as well as the wastelands. It lives in burrows and hollows of the tree. An anal gland secretes an aromatic fluid which is used in scents. The animal predates upon rats, squirrels, small birds, lizards, insects and chickens. It is a nocturnal animal and found in entire India. Presently, there is a decline in its population everywhere but is still seen in the forests.

TIGER (Panthera tigris)

Tiger is one of the big cats and the national animal of the country. It is estimated that there are no more than 5,000 tigers in the entire world and, therefore, it is considered a 'Critically Endangered' animal. India is the stronghold of the tiger from the time immemorial. However, presently its population in India is on steady decline and it is between 2,500 to 3,000. In Gujarat, tiger was last seen in 1997. However, it is an occasional visitor of the forest of Gujarat on the borders of adjoining states. The animal with black stripes on its golden coloured body is one of the most handsome carnivores and the colour and the stripes perfectly blend with the surrounding. It predates upon chital, sabar, nilgai, and even cattle. The tiger is a solitary animal and kills its prey by ambush. The female gives birth to 2-3 cubs in a liter after a gestation period of 3 months. It weighs around 200 kg. Tiger is protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. There were 8 races of tigers. However, out of these 8 races, only 6 races survive.