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<p>Protected areas within megacities are vital for conserving biodiversity but remain poorly studied. The Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary (ABWS), Delhi’s last major sanctuary, faces strong pressures from urban expansion and human disturbance, which are increasingly altering wildlife habitats and behavioural patterns. This study investigated spatio-temporal detection patterns of mammals in ABWS, Delhi, using 22 camera traps over 638 trap nights. We recorded 21 mammal species, including Indian leopard (<i>Panthera pardus</i>), striped hyena (<i>Hyaena hyaena</i>), rhesus macaque (<i>Macaca mulatta</i>), and golden jackal (<i>Canis aureus</i>). Species accumulation curves indicated sampling sufficiency. Relative Abundance Index (RAI) revealed rhesus macaques and stray cattle as the most frequently detected species, while leopards, hyenas, and sambar had low RAI, suggesting rarity or avoidance of camera locations. Spatial analysis highlighted species-specific hotspots: leopards and hyenas were concentrated in secluded southern regions, while macaques and cattle occupied central and human-disturbed zones. Temporal detection patterns showed clear diel partitioning in the timing of detections: leopards, hyenas, and civets were primarily nocturnal; jackals and wild pigs exhibited crepuscular behavior; and species like macaques and mongooses were diurnal. These detection patterns suggest adaptive strategies to avoid human encounters and minimize interspecific competition. Notably, high densities of stray cattle and dogs point to anthropogenic pressures disrupting native species’ space use. Our results show ABWS’s role as a critical refuge for urban wildlife and highlight the need for managing stray animal populations, enhancing habitat quality, and establishing buffer zones. These measures are essential to support long-term coexistence of wildlife within urban-fragmented landscapes.</p>

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Wildlife at the urban fringe: patterns of mammalian space and diel detection in an urban sanctuary in Aravalli, India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月25日

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  • Mukesh Chand,
  • Parvaiz Yousuf,
  • Feba K S,
  • Shubham Kumar Maletha,
  • Rashi Nautiyal,
  • Bilal Habib,
  • Salvador Lyngdoh,
  • Bhupendra Singh Adhikari

摘要

Protected areas within megacities are vital for conserving biodiversity but remain poorly studied. The Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary (ABWS), Delhi’s last major sanctuary, faces strong pressures from urban expansion and human disturbance, which are increasingly altering wildlife habitats and behavioural patterns. This study investigated spatio-temporal detection patterns of mammals in ABWS, Delhi, using 22 camera traps over 638 trap nights. We recorded 21 mammal species, including Indian leopard (Panthera pardus), striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), and golden jackal (Canis aureus). Species accumulation curves indicated sampling sufficiency. Relative Abundance Index (RAI) revealed rhesus macaques and stray cattle as the most frequently detected species, while leopards, hyenas, and sambar had low RAI, suggesting rarity or avoidance of camera locations. Spatial analysis highlighted species-specific hotspots: leopards and hyenas were concentrated in secluded southern regions, while macaques and cattle occupied central and human-disturbed zones. Temporal detection patterns showed clear diel partitioning in the timing of detections: leopards, hyenas, and civets were primarily nocturnal; jackals and wild pigs exhibited crepuscular behavior; and species like macaques and mongooses were diurnal. These detection patterns suggest adaptive strategies to avoid human encounters and minimize interspecific competition. Notably, high densities of stray cattle and dogs point to anthropogenic pressures disrupting native species’ space use. Our results show ABWS’s role as a critical refuge for urban wildlife and highlight the need for managing stray animal populations, enhancing habitat quality, and establishing buffer zones. These measures are essential to support long-term coexistence of wildlife within urban-fragmented landscapes.