A pug impression pad (PIP) is made by preparing a layer of fine soil about 2 cm thick on forest paths so that animals will leave good footprint impressions.
PIPs are widely used in India for the census of
tiger
The tiger (''Panthera tigris'') is the largest living cat species and a member of the genus '' Panthera''. It is most recognisable for its dark vertical stripes on orange fur with a white underside. An apex predator, it primarily preys on u ...
s.
[Choudhury, S. R. (1970) The Tiger Tracer. Cheetal, 13(1), October, 1970.] The first all-India tiger census in 1972 used this technique.
Use
PIPs are located and sized so that animals using the path will walk over it and leave their
spoor without being disturbed. A glass plate, about , called a "tiger tracer"
is then used to trace the outline of the
pugmark
Pugmark is the term used to refer to the footprint of most animals (especially megafauna). "Pug" means foot in Hindi (Sanskrit पद् "pad"; Greek πούς "poús"). Every individual animal species has a distinct pugmark and as such this is use ...
that was left on the PIP. This tracing is then transferred to a
protocol
Protocol may refer to:
Sociology and politics
* Protocol (politics), a formal agreement between nation states
* Protocol (diplomacy), the etiquette of diplomacy and affairs of state
* Etiquette, a code of personal behavior
Science and technology
...
where over twenty pieces of information about the PIP, including the habitat, the pugmark, the direction of movement, etc., are recorded.
Plaster cast
A plaster cast is a copy made in plaster of another 3-dimensional form. The original from which the cast is taken may be a sculpture, building, a face, a pregnant belly, a fossil or other remains such as fresh or fossilised footprints – p ...
s may also be made from the tracks.
During 2002, in 71 tiger census units of
Simlipal Tiger Reserve
Simlipal is a tiger reserve in the Mayurbhanj district in the Indian state of Odisha covering . It is part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which includes three protected areas — Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary with an ...
, 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 or 3 along roads or at junctions of paths in a forest. Each PIP bears an identification number which is used during data analysis.
Beginners who wish to develop an interest in animal tracks and signs can create a few PIPs and monitor them daily. PIPs running alongside a garden fence can give a wealth of information through tracks and signs.
Advantages
Some researchers have recently used
camera trap
A camera trap is a camera that is automatically triggered by a change in some activity in its vicinity, like presence of an animal or a human being. It is typically equipped with a motion sensor – usually a passive infrared (PIR) sensor ...
s in place of PIPs. The technique of using a PIP and pugmark tracking, however, has advantages in that PIPs can be created in large numbers and are available at low equipment cost. The method also 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 year-round monitoring of tigers. The only maintenance they require is to be wiped clean after each day's data are recorded. Forest guards set up the PIPs and record the data.
Nocturnal animal
Nocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnal meaning the opposite.
Nocturnal creatures generally have highly developed sens ...
s, not usually seen during the day, also leave their tracks on PIPs and information can be gathered about their distribution, density and activity.
Disadvantages
Often, elephants find the PIPs attractive for a
dust bath
Dust bathing (also called sand bathing) is an animal behavior characterized by rolling or moving around in dust, dry earth or sand, with the likely purpose of removing parasites from fur, feathers or skin. Dust bathing is a maintenance behavior ...
. PIPs are also damaged by strong winds, dew and rain.
Therefore, PIPs need to be regularly monitored and maintained.
References
{{reflist
External links
"Reading Pugmarks: A Pocket Guide for Forest Guards" WWF India
Nature conservation in India