Spotted Deer: Kali Tiger Reserve

About:

• Spotted Deer

  • The spotted deer, or chital/ cheetal is a deer species native to the Indian subcontinent.
  • It is the most common deer species in Indian forests.
  • Distribution: It is widely distributed in Asia, especially in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and a small group in Pakistan. 
  • Habitat: Subtropical grasslands and forests
  • Features:
    • With a lifespan of about 20 to 30 years, it stands at about 35 inches tall and weighs about 187 pounds. 
    • It is a slightly reddish brown with white spots on its body.
    • Only males have antlers, and their bodies are larger than females. 
    • Spotted Deers are social animals. They commonly occur in herds of 10 to 50 individuals.
    • They mainly feed on grasses throughout the year. Their diets include herbs, shrubs, foliage, and fruits.
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• Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR)

  • Location: Kali Tiger Reserve, earlier known as Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve, is located in the central portion of the Uttara Kannada (North Canara) district of Karnataka state.
  • It comprises two important protected areas of the region, viz., Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park.
  • Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (475.018 sq. km) and Anshi National Park (339.866 sq. km) are contiguous to each other and form a single tract of protected area located in the biologically sensitive Western Ghats.
  • River: The Kali River, which forms the major source of water for Uttara Kannada, flows through the tiger reserve, hence the name.
  • Vegetation: Forests are primarily moist deciduous and semi-evergreen, with excellent patches of evergreen forests in the westernmost parts as well as in deep valleys. 
  • Flora: The complex floral tapestry comprises hardwood trees like teak, silver oak, Malabar tamrind, jamba, lantana, bamboo, shrubbery, and dense vegetative undergrowth on the floor.
  • Fauna: Prominent species are the Asiatic elephant, tiger, leopard, gaur, chevrotain, spotted deer, barking deer, sloth bear, dhole, jungle and leopard cat, Malabar civet, and giant civet.