Species Specific Habitats

Vertebrates, their status, distribution and habitats, Habitat quality, quantity and key areas.

The National Park consists of  varied wild fauna.  There are more than 26 species of mammals, 209 species of birds and 9 species of Reptiles.  The endangered and  threatened species occurring in the P.A. are Gaur, Chausinga, Indian wolf, Leopard, Mouse Deer, Pangolin, Ratel, Sloth Bear, Tiger, Wild Dog, Python and Flying squirrel.
The herbivores includes Sambar, Nilgai, Gaur, Barking deer, Chausinga, Wild pig etc. Cheetal in the P.A., are very few. This is probably due to lack of open grass lands in the area.  Mouse deer is found rarely.  Amongst the primates, Hanuman langur and Rhesus monkey are common. Slender loris has been recorded from an area adjoining the National Park.
            Wild pigs, Sloth bears are commonly found in the area, recently a brown variety of Sloth bear has been located in the area. The carnivores found are Panther, Wild dogs, Jungle cat, Civets. Hyena and Tiger. The last one is rare in N.P.  Pangolin and Ratel are also found. List of animals and birds found in the National Park

Status of Wildlife  :

Seasonal migration is noticed in case of Gaur and Wilddogs.  Gaur usually move to upper reaches of  the hill
during rainy season and winter but come down during summer.  Wilddogs are more commonly seen in plains and valleys during later half of winter and in summer. Panthers are fairly common but tigers are rarely seen. There is large track of forests on the eastern side and northern side of the National Park and animals do migrate to these areas.  No physical barrier has been noticed which can hinder their movements in this direction.
The undulating terrain with thick vegetation constitutes an ideal habitat for the sloth bear where they are sighted frequently as compared to other animals. Presence of brown coloured sloth bear, a rare occurrence, in unique to Navegaon National Park.
Adjoining Navegaon lake attracts a number of migratory birds such as Brahminy ducks, Red crested pochard, Cotton teals, Pin tails etc.  Saras cranes are also known to nest in area adjoining the Navegaon lake.
Colonies of white backed vulture and long billed vulture have been noticed in the vicinity of Navegaon National Park near Gandhari and Pratapgarh villages. Since their number have greatly diminished over the years, these sites need to be given special attention for the conservation of the vultures.