02 Feb, 2021
A Rapid Response Team (RRT) training was organised on 2 February 2021 at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, as part of the Indo-German Technical Cooperation Project on Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (HWC) in India. The training aimed at improving the understanding and strengthening the skills of frontline staff on methods of identification, capture, release of snakes and crocodile, and legal issues pertaining to these exercises. 21 participants ranging from Range Forest Officers to Forest Guards, from the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Haridwar, Dehradun, Terai - East, Terai-West and Terai-Central Forest Divisions of Uttarakhand Forests attended the training.
Dr S. Sathyakumar (Scientist - G, WII) welcomed all the participants and presented the RRT training programme, giving an overview of the various training courses organised and planned for front-line staff. Dr Pradeep Mehta (Technical Expert, GIZ) briefed the participants on the HWC project. He elaborated on the three landscapes that have been selected as project sites, State Action Plan, Management Action Plan and Guidelines for 10 species/groups being prepared under the project. He also shared information on the distribution of equipment to RRT teams and capacity building exercises organised in collaboration with WII as part of the project. Dr Dhananjai Mohan (Director, WII), in his inaugural address, said that during any discussion on the human-wildlife conflict, the focus is on larger species. Snakes and crocodiles are less mentioned. In the foothills of Uttarakhand, these two groups of species are equally important as conflicts can arise anywhere - from urban areas to rural areas or forest fringes. He commended the frontline staff of the Uttarakhand Forest Department for their experience in dealing with HWC issues and species. He emphasised that the learning cannot happen via books alone, the frontline staff can also learn from the resource persons who would be sharing their experiences and expertise with the teams.
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Dr K Sivakumar (Scientist - F, WII) initiated the first panel discussion on – ‘Handling Problematic Crocodiles’ by giving a general overview of the crocodile related issue in Uttarakhand. He elaborated on various legal issues related to the capture and translocation of the crocodile. He also shared a case from Andaman and Nicobar. In the first presentation of the session, Mr BC Choudhury (Former Scientist-G, WII) introduced the participants to the different species of the Crocodilian family, their distribution and their physical characteristics. He pointed out that only Mugger is responsible for Human-Crocodile Conflict in the state of Uttarakhand. He elaborated various simple methods for calculation of the size of an individual that can be based on approximation of head length or feet size.
He demonstrated capture methods and the correct capture procedure. He also pointed out that after catching a crocodile maintaining the temperature via moist bags and keeping the nostrils open is very important. During the dry season when ponds with mugger get dry, they can travel long distances and this can give rise to Human-Crocodile Conflict. Awareness can be generated by placing boards and announcements at conflict sites.
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Dr Gowri Mallapur (Senior Advisor, Central Zoo Authority) presented on ‘Capture, handling and identification for management of problem individuals’. She enumerated various situations where capture may be required, ranging from research, rescue, zoo transfers and human-wildlife conflict. She elaborated on various capture techniques ranging from floating cages, noose, nets and emphasised proper post-capture procedures to avoid injury to the crocodile. She cautioned that lactic acidosis is the major issue with the release of captured crocodiles which increases when the animal struggle more. She explained the correct release process should be followed. Dr Mallapur then elaborated on various identification techniques that help maintain a history of captures and releases.
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The second panel discussion on ‘Identification, behavioural ecology, legal aspects and snake rescue’ started with Dr Abhijit Das’s session on snake identification and handling. He elaborated the characteristics of snakes and explained how scales, stripes, bands and blotches, patterns on the body of the snakes can be observed to identify whether it’s venomous or not. He also briefed on the various equipment required for handling snakes. He cautioned that snake tongs used by most people can cause injury to the internal organs and vertebra of a snake and thus professional tongs should be used. He emphasised the use of snake hooks which are much safer options.
Dr Kafil Hussain, (Scientist F - Vetnerian, WII), gave an overview of the ‘Occupational health and safety issues’ related to snakes and crocodiles. He explained the identification features of various venomous and non-venomous snakes based on their bite marks. He elaborated on the venom pathways and the precautions for slowing down the venom movement by using some basic first aids. He pointed out that myths surrounding snake bites like sucking the venom, cuts and tourniquet harm the victim more. He demonstrated the correct procedure to place a pressure bandage with a splint. He noted important procedures for crocodiles related injuries.
Mr S. Senthil Kumar (Additional Professor, IGNFA), initiated an interactive session on the handling of crocodile conflict by reviewing the methodologies learned by the participants. He shared his experiences with crocodile cases in Nayyar river, Kerala, and the common patterns
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in all the crocodile attack cases. He then elaborated on various equipment designed used for capture and restrains of the crocodile with a case from Andaman and Nicobar. He emphasised that mitigation measures such as awareness, sensitisation, and display boards are key to reduce crocodile conflict cases. The session also involved Q&A where experts responded to various questions posed by the frontline staff.
The Field Exercise demonstration session started with Dr C. Ramesh (Scientist – C, WII) explaining the working of radio telemetry instruments used for snakes. Mr Vishnu C.S. (Researcher) demonstrated the use of the telemetry device by using the receiver (antennae) for locating the hidden emitter. The participants were also exposed to the laboratory where Dr Abhijit Das reviewed the snake identification feature learned by the participants. He then demonstrated features of various venomous snakes by using museum specimens and skins. This was followed by hands-on training for snake capture and the use of capture equipment. Dr Abhijit Das and Dr C. Ramesh demonstrated various equipments used for snake capture. For hands-on training, two live specimens were placed in the field and its capture methodologies, precautions and correct procedure were demonstrated. Few participants also practised and demonstrated skills learnt for the live capture of the snakes.
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In the final session, Mr B. C. Choudhury, Dr Abhijit Das and Dr C. Ramesh answered questions raised by the participants. Participants shared their experiences of snake capture during conflict situations and also shared their experiences with capture operations and release. Mr B. C. Choudhury concluded the session with an appreciation of the participants for the continuous flow of feedback and experience sharing throughout the programme.
Photo credits: Dr Pradeep Mehta, Dr Upma Manral (WII) and Dr Rishi (WII)
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The Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (HWC) project implemented by GIZ in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and State Forest Departments of Karnataka, Uttarakhand and West Bengal, aims at providing technical support at the national level, and effective implementation of HWC mitigation measures in selected states of India. The project pilot sites are: Haridwar Forest Division and adjoining landscape including Rajaji Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand, Gorumara Wildlife Division in West Bengal, and Kodagu Forest Circle in Karnataka.
The main objective of the project is that the rural population in project areas, where agreed guidelines and tools are applied to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, is better protected against it. The project takes the approach of harmonious coexistence, by ensuring that both—human and wildlife—are protected from conflict. Read more
For more information contact: biodiv.india@giz.de
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