Wildlife Monitoring & Conservation Science
HYTICOS undertakes comprehensive wildlife monitoring to support long-term conservation planning across key tiger landscapes. Our work includes threat assessments and snare removal surveys to address poaching risks, long-term tiger monitoring in collaboration with forest departments since 2001, large-scale mammal occupancy surveys, prey base monitoring across Kawal, Amrabad, and Nagarjunasagar–Srisailam Tiger Reserves since 2010, and mapping critical wildlife corridors to support tiger movement and genetic connectivity.
Threat Assessments and Forest Protection
HYTICOS conducts field-based threat assessments to identify poaching risks in vulnerable habitats. Key activities include detecting and dismantling snares, removing illegal electric lines used for hunting, and responding to other illicit activities that endanger wildlife. During the reporting year 2025, HYTICOS conducted 1,284 anti-poaching patrols, covering a total distance of 5,271 kilometres on foot. Through sustained field presence and close collaboration with the Forest Department, HYTICOS contributes to the protection of critical habitats, enhances wildlife safety, and strengthens the ecological integrity of tiger reserves.
Tiger Monitoring and Population Tracking
Since 2001, HYTICOS has supported forest departments in tiger monitoring through annual counting operations and field-based surveys. Using an integrated approach that combines sign surveys and camera trapping, our work helps document tiger presence, movement, and territorial patterns across key landscapes.
During 2024–25, nine individual tigers were monitored across approximately 2,426 km spanning seven districts and over 2,000 sq. km of habitat. Using an integrated approach of field sign surveys and 72 strategically placed camera traps, tiger presence was recorded at 218 locations, generating valuable insights into occupancy, movement patterns, and habitat use; particularly within the Kawal landscape; forming a strong foundation for future conservation and conflict mitigation efforts.
Large-scale Mammal Occupancy Surveys
HYTICOS undertakes large-cell, landscape-level occupancy surveys to assess the presence, distribution, and habitat use of mammals across broad regions. These surveys generate critical data that inform conservation planning, monitoring trends, and prioritising management actions.
In this year, a total of 111 grid units, each spanning 45 sq. km, were systematically surveyed by trained field personnel. Teams traversed over 558 kilometers on foot, recording both direct and indirect signs of animals—such as tracks, droppings, and calls—across approximately 2,254 sq. km of forested terrain. This meticulous approach ensured consistent data quality while covering a diverse range of ecological conditions. The data collected through this study is instrumental in identifying areas of high wildlife occupancy and understanding habitat preferences critical for tigers and their prey.
Mapping and Monitoring Wildlife Corridors
HYTICOS maps and monitors wildlife corridors to identify critical pathways that connect habitats and enable animal movement and genetic exchange. This landscape-level work supports long-term species survival and helps guide conservation planning in fragmented and human-dominated landscapes.
Historically, HYTICOS played a critical role in advocating for Kawal’s designation as a Tiger Reserve and in building local awareness and capacity for monitoring, anti-poaching, and community support.
Capacity Building & Technical Support
HYTICOS supports forest department staff through capacity-building initiatives focused on wildlife monitoring and conservation science. These include training in field survey techniques, camera trap deployment, data recording, and monitoring protocols. By strengthening technical skills and knowledge exchange, HYTICOS contributes to improved data quality, informed decision-making, and effective long-term conservation planning.
Roadkill Monitoring
HYTICOS undertakes roadkill monitoring to understand the impact of roads on wildlife and to identify high risk areas where mitigation is urgently needed. Roads intersect critical habitats and corridors, leading to wildlife mortality and habitat fragmentation. By documenting roadkill patterns, species affected, and temporal trends, this work provides evidence to support mitigation measures such as improved signage, awareness initiatives, and advocating for reduced night traffic in sensitive stretches through engagement with the Forest Department.
As part of this effort, HYTICOS has conducted roadkill surveys in landscapes such as Ahobilam and Amrabad. Between August 2024 and March 2025, 274 wildlife roadkills were recorded in the Amrabad landscape, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to reduce mortality and improve coexistence between wildlife and infrastructure.
Species-specific Studies
HYTICOS uses camera trap data and field-based evidence to conduct scientific studies that examine wildlife behaviour, habitat use, and ecological patterns across landscapes.
As part of our species-focused research, HYTICOS conducted a sloth bear study to understand seasonal dietary shifts and habitat use. Between August 2024 and March 2025, 82 sloth bear droppings were analysed to examine how these omnivores adapt their feeding strategies across seasons.
The analysis revealed a clear seasonal shift, with insect-rich diets dominated by termites and ants during the post-monsoon period, transitioning to fruit-based foraging in the drier months. Seasonal fruits such as mahua, ber, and jamun were prominent, highlighting the importance of conserving native fruit-bearing trees. A small number of samples also contained plastic fragments near forest edges, indicating emerging human–wildlife interactions and the need for improved waste management. Overall, the study highlights the sloth bear’s dietary flexibility and underscores the importance of maintaining diverse, healthy forest habitats across the Amrabad landscape.
