Pug Impression Pad
Encyclopedia
Pug Impression Pads are made by preparing a layer of fine soil about 2 cm thick on forest paths and animal tracks, situated so that animals will leave good footprint impressions. PIPs are widely used in India for the census of tiger
s. The first all-India tiger census in 1972 used this technique.
without being disturbed. A glass plate, about 25cmx30cm in size, called a tiger tracer, is then used to trace the outline of the pugmark
that was left on the PIP. This tracing is then transferred to a protocol
where over twenty pieces of other information about the PIP, the habitat, the pugmark
and the direction of movement of tiger, etc. are recorded to help in analysis. Plaster casts may also be made from the tracks left in the PIP.
During the year 2002, in 71 tiger census units of Simlipal Tiger Reserve 8946 PIPs were laid over 1773 km of tracking routes, from which 764 pugmark tracings were collected along with 316 plaster casts.
The PIPs are created in clusters of 2-3 along long roads or at junctions of different tracking routes in a forest. Each PIP bears an identification number, which is used during data analysis.
Nocturnal animals, difficult to see during the day, also leave their tracks on PIPs and information can be gathered about their distribution, density and activity. Beginners who wish to develop an interest in animal tracks and signs can create a few PIPs and monitor them daily. PIPs running alongside the garden fence can give a wealth of information through tracks and signs.
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
s. The first all-India tiger census in 1972 used this technique.
Use
PIPs are located and sized such that an animal using the path walks over it and leaves its spoorSpoor (animal)
Spoor is any sign of a creature. Spoor includes track, trail and droppings. Spoor is useful for discovering or surveying what types of animals live in an area, or in animal tracking.Generally droppings can be referred to as scat....
without being disturbed. A glass plate, about 25cmx30cm in size, called a tiger tracer, is then used to trace the outline of the pugmark
Pugmark
Pugmark is the term used to refer to the footprint of most animals . "Pug" means foot in Hindi...
that was left on the PIP. This tracing is then transferred to a protocol
Protocol (natural sciences)
In the natural sciences a protocol is a predefined written procedural method in the design and implementation of experiments. Protocols are written whenever it is desirable to standardize a laboratory method to ensure successful replication of results by others in the same laboratory or by other...
where over twenty pieces of other information about the PIP, the habitat, the pugmark
Pugmark
Pugmark is the term used to refer to the footprint of most animals . "Pug" means foot in Hindi...
and the direction of movement of tiger, etc. are recorded to help in analysis. Plaster casts may also be made from the tracks left in the PIP.
During the year 2002, in 71 tiger census units of Simlipal Tiger Reserve 8946 PIPs were laid over 1773 km of tracking routes, from which 764 pugmark tracings were collected along with 316 plaster casts.
The PIPs are created in clusters of 2-3 along long roads or at junctions of different tracking routes in a forest. Each PIP bears an identification number, which is used during data analysis.
Advantages
Some researchers have recently used ‘camera traps’ in place of PIPs for monitoring tiger movements. The technique of using PIP and ‘pugmark tracking’, however, has advantages in that PIPs can be created in large numbers and are available continuously, at low equipment cost. The method provides employment to people living in and around tiger habitats who possess skill in laying PIPs and participating in animal tracking. PIPs can also be used for round-the-year monitoring of tigers. The only maintenance they require is to be wiped clean after each day's data are recorded. The Forest Guards performing census duties obtain data about the tiger population, its composition, and tiger movement.Nocturnal animals, difficult to see during the day, also leave their tracks on PIPs and information can be gathered about their distribution, density and activity. Beginners who wish to develop an interest in animal tracks and signs can create a few PIPs and monitor them daily. PIPs running alongside the garden fence can give a wealth of information through tracks and signs.