Camera trap records of small mammals from Jagdishpur, Kapilvastu, Nepal

Study Extent

The Jagadishpur Reservoir is a reservoir in Kapilvastu District of Nepal. With a surface area of 225 hectares, it is the largest reservoir in the country and an important wetland site. It is situated at an altitude of 197m and the maximum water depth varies between 2 meters in dry season to 7 meters in monsoon. The Jagadishpur Reservoir is listed on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance as defined by the Ramsar Convention. Constructed in the early 1970s for irrigation purposes, the reservoir is fed by a canal from the nearby Ban ganga River. The reservoir is surrounded by cultivated land and a few smaller lakes which serve as a buffer zone for bird movement. The area is surrounded by human settlement. The people of Jagdishpur mainly depends on agricultural farming, fish farming and few on tourism.

Sampling

Two transects were undertaken for camera traps deployment. Five cameras were installed in each transect. Each cameras were installed in difference on 300-500 meters distances. The camera trap location were selected on the basis of indirect signs like pugmarks and scats. Besides indirect signs, habitat characteristics like marshy region, grass land, how near is the fish pond were observed. The cameras were installed for fortnight in each transect.

Method steps

1. The species were identified simply by scrutinizing the camera trap photographs and sorted out in different folders. The duplication of the photographs were strictly avoided by naming each folder with unique name.

1. Prionailurus vivverrinus
   common name: Fishing cat rank: species
2. Felis chaus
   common name: Jungle Cat rank: species
3. Canis aureus
   common name: Golden Jackal rank: species

Jagdishpur, Kapilvastu Municipality, Lumbini province, Nepal