Group composition and habitat use by Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) in the

In recent years, an increasing number of Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) populations have
been observed in the Nagarkurnool, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Sangareddy, Mulugu,
Jogulamba Gadwal, Narayanpet, Wanaparthy, Nizamabad, Mahbubnagar, and Nalgonda
districts of Telangana, particularly in farmers' fields. These animals have been causing
significant damage to agricultural and horticultural crops at various stages, likely due to the
depletion of natural habitats, food scarcity, and the unavailability of preferred dietary items.
Furthermore, complaints from farmers in surrounding districts, especially those adjacent to
the aforementioned areas and nearby villages, have exacerbated the issue, leading to severe
man-animal conflict. This study, conducted between June 2020 and March 2021, examined
the mean herd size, demographic classes, sex ratio, percent occurrence, and habitat utilization
of Blackbucks across seven districts of Telangana State. The findings revealed an average
herd size of 8.4 animals, with herd sizes ranging from 6 to 12. Most herd size classes fell
within the ranges of 2-7, 8-13, and 14-19, while fewer were observed in the 20-25 and more
than 26 categories. The sex ratio ranged from 1:1.7 to 1:1.29, with females comprising the
majority of herds. Various social groups were identified, with bachelor groups being the most
prevalent, followed by pseudoharem, territorial males, females, and mixed herds. Habitat
utilization analysis indicated a preference for open fields, followed by crop fields, thorny
scrub, and rocky outcrops. These findings offer valuable insights into Blackbuck behavior
and their interaction with agricultural activities in Telangana, facilitating better management
strategies to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.