As abundant chital cost authorities dearly, a tiny Andaman island struggles to keep up
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As abundant chital cost authorities dearly, a tiny Andaman island struggles to keep up
Subject: Environment
Section: Species in news
Chital- an invasive species in A&N islands:
- Chital were introduced to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for game hunting in the early 1900s by the British.
- The Chital multiplied in an unchecked environment and in the absence of large predators had now become a problem for authorities.
- The chital is predominantly found in the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, which lies east of Port Blair.
- To deal with the invasive species, the department has been seeking solutions, to either rehabilitate the chital or relocate them elsewhere.
- Legal provisions for translocation of an animal:
- Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, an officer of the rank of Chief Wildlife Warden can permit translocation for the purpose of scientific management.
- The law mandates that such translocation should cause minimum trauma to animals.
About Chital:
- Scientific Name – Cervus axis; Axis axis
- Chital is an herbivorous, Asiatic deer, belonging to the family Cervidae.
- It lives in grasslands and forests in India and Sri Lanka in herds.
- Its spotted coat is reddish brown above and white below.
- The male chital is larger and heavier than the female chital.
- The male chital alone carries three-tined antlers.
- State Animal – It is the state animal of Telangana.
- Conservation Status –
- IUCN – Least Concern
- CITES – Not Listed
