Ecology and conservation of the four-horned antelope in the Eastern Ghats of India

Suresh Jones

This project aims to understand the foraging and breeding ecology of the four-horned antelope in the uplands of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh - India, as well as to initiate conservation work involving local communities. This would be achieved through field observations and habitat improvement work. Surveys with the local communities will be developed to identify major threats like hunting and illicit brewing at waterholes. A conservation awareness programme will be initiated, which will involve training local youth volunteers that will help monitoring movement of the antelope and changes in vegetation in response to fire. These activities will facilitate efforts to get the project area recognised as a Community Conserved Area.