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Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad

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Subject: Wildlife Management × Author: ABHIJITH S × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    HYBRIDIZATION OF WILDCAT SPECIES: LEOPARD CAT (Prionailurus bengalensis) & JUNGLE CAT (Felis chaus) WITH DOMESTIC CAT (Felis domesticus) IN WAYANAD DISTRICT, KERALA
    (KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY POOKODE, WAYANAD-, 2022-02-25) ABHIJITH S; Abdul Azeez C P
    Leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) and Jungle cats (Felis chaus) are two common wild felines living closer to the arboraceous surroundings nearer to the human habituated areas of Wayanad district, Kerala which is famous for its plantations like tea, coffee, cardamom and tourism. These plantations attracts birds and rodents according to previous studies, as this becomes a crucial habitat for cats due to human encroachments like anthropogenic activities. There have been reports of photographic evidences to prove the mating between wild and the domestic cats due to interference plantations near tribal colonies. This study was mainly based finding cats which had patterning similar to that ofthe wild ones. Fig 9.6 and 9.7 clearly showed similarities with the jungle cat, considering the fur pattern, stripes on the body and tail rings though it was not evident in the genetic analysis. Anthropogenic activities in the Wayanad are major reason behind the hybridization between the individuals. There are around several colonies in which rearing chickens and ducks could be the reason behind the luring of wild cats into the human habitats. Domestic cats can be a reason for spread of diseases, as wild cats become accidental victims. Though this study lacks genetic data, if more number of samples could be DNA sequenced, there could be a better answer for the question “Do intervention of anthropogenic activities and domestic cats really possess a threat for wildcat population