CHITAL - ENVIRONMENT
News: How invasive species threaten
natural ecosystems
What's in the news?
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In a bid to manage the teeming population of chital (spotted deer) in Ross Island
(officially known as the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island), the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands administration recently sought help from the Wildlife Institute
of India.
Key takeaways:
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Chital, native
to mainland India, were introduced to the tiny island (0.3 sq km small) by
the British in the early 20th century.
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Having no natural predators or competitors, and being good swimmers, chital
swiftly spread across the Andamans.
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Over the past two decades, studies have examined
the seemingly innocuous herbivores’ deleterious impact on the islands’ native
flora and fauna — bringing to spotlight the topic of invasive species, and the
threat they pose to endemic ecosystems.
Spotted Deer:
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The spotted deer, or chital/ cheetal is a deer
species native to the Indian subcontinent.
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It is the most common deer species in Indian
forests.
Distribution:
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It is widely distributed in Asia, especially in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and a
small group in Pakistan.
Habitat:
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Subtropical grasslands and forests
Features:
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With a lifespan of about 20 to 30 years, it stands
at about 35 inches tall and weighs about 187 pounds.
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It is a slightly reddish brown with white spots on
its body.
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Only males have antlers, and their bodies are larger than females.
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Spotted Deers are social animals. They commonly
occur in herds of 10 to 50 individuals.
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They mainly feed on grasses throughout the year.
Their diets include herbs, shrubs, foliage, and fruits.
Conservation Status:
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IUCN Red List: Least
Concern
Go back to basics:
Invasive Alien Species:
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The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
defines invasive alien species (IAS) as “species whose introduction and/or
spread outside their natural past or present distribution threatens biological
diversity”.
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These include animals,
plants, fungi, and even microorganisms, and can influence all kinds of
ecosystems.
Examples:
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African catfish, Nile tilapia, Red-bellied piranha,
and Alligator gar, and turtle species such as the Red-eared slider.