author(s)
Dr. K Baranidharan, Dr. M Vijayabhama and Vinay JR

abstract
Conservation of wildlife corridor is an important management strategy to maintain ecological and genetic connectivity. With this background the present investigation was conducted to study the corridor status in between Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Mukurthi National Park in Tamil Nadu during the period from August 2014 to July 2015. With respect to herbivore population 11 species of herbivores were recorded through direct and indirect evidence in the study area. Regarding the season, the results revealed that herbivore population were maximum in January and lowest in June. Among the herbivore population, the Sambar deer scored maximum density (6.86/Sq km) followed by Spotted deer (6.56/Sq km) and lowest scored by Elephant (1.63/Sq km). Regarding grids, grid number 28 (45) showed maximum number of herbivore sign and grid number 13 (0) showed lowest through direct and indirect evidence. Regarding distribution of carnivore, Tiger (132) was found to be maximum through indirect evidence than Leopard (58). With respect to season, the result showed that January month showed maximum carnivore population and lowest in June. With respect to grids, the carnivore’s population in grid number 21 encountered maximum indirect evidences occurring 19 times. With respect to Tiger population, grid number 23 recorded maximum evidences occurring 14 times and for Leopard, grid number 21 showed maximum evidences occurring 9 times. It was found that Tigers used 17 grids as a corridor, from Mudumalai to Mukurthi. The probability of movement took from grid number 3 → 4 → 7 → 10 → 11 → 14 → 15 → 17 → →18 → 21 → 22 → 23 → 25 → 28 → 31 → 34 → 35 →36. This was the corridor used by Tiger to move from Mudhumalai to Mukurthi. These grid pathways when monitored regularly and given protection from human intervention, we could protect Tiger population and its expansion in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.