A Field based training on Camera Trapping, Population Estimation & Rescue of Sloth bear, 2020

“A Field-based training on Camera Trapping, Population Estimation & Rescue of Sloth bear” Training of frontline field staff was organized to impart knowledge on recent advancements and the use of technology for the study of wildlife and habitat as a part of the sloth bear corridor conservation and outreach programme undertaken by Vadodara wildlife division and WCB Research Lab of Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University. The training involves topics like camera trapping, population estimation methods, animal immobilization through tranquilization, and rescue of the sloth bear. The training module was developed by the DCF, Wildlife Vadoadara and the Project Coordinator in coordination with the CF (Wildlife) Vadodara. The training was made interactive for the exchange of knowledge between researchers and the forest staff as well as with the forest officers. Three days training programme was organized at Dhanpuri ecotourism site, Jambughoda range following all the protocols of social distancing and guidelines for COVID-19 by the government of Gujarat.

The training module includes basic information about the bears of the world, followed by sloth bear biology and the status of sloth bear population in India and Gujarat. To make the training more effective, every session was followed by hands- on practice in the field so that the field staff could have the experience of working with the advanced monitoring techniques and handling of equipment used in wildlife population monitoring and management.