Functional connectivity for large mammals in the southern western ghats – India Linking movements and Distribution

Large mammal populations in the Periyar and Agasthyamalai reserves of the Western Ghats, India were once contiguous, but are now isolated by a mosaic of human-impacted habitat and linear barriers. Restoration of movement is essential to buffer their populations from demographic stochasticity and loss of genetic diversity. Past projects by FERAL have identified a 185 km2 linkage zone where movement corridors can potentially be restored. However, the precise locations, optimal habitat compositions, and conflict management strategies for small-scale movement corridors through this human-dominated linkage are unknown. We will quantify large mammal habitat preferences at a fine scale, and hence a) identify optimal corridor locations; b) identify the factors that influence animal use of a site. Study results will help in restoration of corridors and in mitigating human wildlife conflict in this landscape.