A total of 415 species of animals and birds were sighted during the 14-hour water hole census in Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Palghar district and Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SNGP) in Borivali. Several animals species observed included spotted deer, barking deer, crocodiles, wild boar.
According to data from the Krishnagiri Upvan (KUB) range and the core area of Tulsi range, those who participated in the overnight animal watch activity between 5 pm and 7 am spotted wild animals, mammals, reptiles, and birds. However, an official from the national park stated that they have not yet compiled all the data.
In the Tulsi range, there have been five reports of leopard sighting and seven crocodile sightings. Additionally, seven barking geckos and one rat snake were among the reptiles spotted.During the overnight tour, they spotted 12 sambars, 9 wild boar, 12 grey langurs, 13 bats, 16 palm squirrels, 1 Asian palm civet, 1 tiny civet cat, and 5 leopards, 115 spotted deer, and 4 barking deer were among the creatures sighted.
Meanwhile, in the bird kingdom, 26 owls, nine night jars, 118 ducks and water birds, and 54 other species were observed.
The water hole census was conducted nationwide on the eve of Buddha Purnima in a number of national parks, animal sanctuaries, and tiger reserves. Since animals assemble at these specially built water holes that the Forest Department has placed throughout forest areas, the water hole method is used to conduct the wildlife census each summer. Since they are easier to see on full moon nights, the animals are counted during those times.
Volunteers are required to perch on machans and count the number of animals that come to the closest water holes. During the census, forest guards also sit on the machans, and volunteers are not permitted to stop working in the middle of the exercise because doing so could cause conflicts between humans and animals. At numerous water sites, camera traps have been placed. Here, wildlife photos are taken with the camera recording the proof of whatever happens in front of it as it perches on specially constructed machans. In-depth instructions on the pug mark recognition technique, camera traps, and water hole calculation method were provided to the census volunteers.
It is pertinent to note that the SGNP is home to one of the world's largest numbers of leopards, which are the top predators. It should be mentioned that 243 mammals were among the 433 animals that were observed during the nighttime wildlife watch event last year.
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