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Caught on Camera: Insights Into Mizoram's Mammalian Diversity Through a Camera-Trap-Based Distance Sampling Approach
Akangkshya Priya Gogoi1,2, Joonu Chakma1, Lallianpuii Kawlni1
1Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun Uttarakhand India.
Ecology and Evolution
|December 8, 2025
Summary
Camera trapping in Mizoram reveals low ungulate populations, potentially due to illegal hunting. Clouded leopards and dholes showed higher abundance in Dampa Tiger Reserve, highlighting conservation needs for this biodiversity hotspot.
Area of Science:
- Wildlife ecology and conservation biology.
- Biodiversity assessment in threatened ecosystems.
- Mammalian population dynamics and threat analysis.
Background:
- Effective conservation strategies rely on understanding species distribution and threats.
- Mizoram, part of the Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot, faces significant threats from illegal wildlife trade and lacks thorough faunal research.
- Mammal populations, particularly ungulates, are declining due to habitat loss, hunting, and illegal trade, with many species restricted to protected areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate mammal species density in Mizoram's protected areas.
- To evaluate ungulate density and the relative abundance of key predator and ungulate species.
- To inform urgent scientific research and conservation interventions in a high-threat region.
Main Methods:
- Camera-trapping surveys were employed for density estimation.
- Population status of mammal species was assessed.
- Relative abundance of major predator and ungulate species was calculated.
Main Results:
- Barking deer, sambar, wild pig, red serow, and gaur were the primary ungulates detected.
- Clouded leopards and dholes were the main predators identified.
- Clouded leopard and dhole relative abundance was highest in Dampa Tiger Reserve compared to other Northeast Indian protected areas.
- Ungulate relative abundances and densities were lower than in other Indian protected areas, suggesting potential impacts of illegal hunting.
Conclusions:
- Mizoram's protected areas harbor key predators like clouded leopards and dholes, with Dampa Tiger Reserve showing notable abundance.
- Low ungulate populations in Mizoram may be linked to illegal hunting, necessitating further investigation into human-wildlife interactions.
- Urgent conservation actions and research are required to address the threats to wildlife in Mizoram's biodiversity hotspot.
