Recent Observations on the Distribution and Status of Wildlife of Balochis Tan
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Canadian Journal of Pure and Applied Sc iences Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 4813 - 4846 , June 2019 Online ISSN: 1920 - 3853; Print ISSN: 1715 - 9997 Available online at www.cjpas.net Special Article RECENT OBSERVATIONS ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS OF WILDLIFE OF BALOCHIS TAN * Syed Ali Ghalib 1 , Muhammad Zaheer Khan 1 , Ubaid Ullah 1 , Roohi Kanwal 1 , Afsheen Zehra 1 , Saima Siddiqui 1 , Dar a khshan Abbas 1 , Ghazala Yasmeen 1 , Babar Hussai n 2 and Abdur Raz z aq Khan 3 1 Department of Zoology, University of Karachi, Karachi - 75270 2 IUCN - Pakistan, 1 Bath Island Road Karachi 3 Halcrow Pakistan (Pvt) Limited, Karachi ABSTRACT Field surveys were undertaken from 2015 to 2019 in ma jor ecological zones of the Balo ch istan province to collect data o n the distribution and status of its wildlife. Based on five years field observations, 92 species of ma mmals, 373 species of birds, 120 species of reptiles and seven species of amphibians were documented . The p resent study gives an update list of Wildlife Protected Areas of the Province, the list of Threatened/Near - threatened species, the important wildlife hotspots, important ecotourism sites and key/peculiar of wildlife species. In regard to the Threatened/Nae r - threatened species of wildlife, among mammals four species are Endangered (EN), eight species are Vulnerable (VU) and three species are Near - threatened (NT) . Among birds, two species are Critically Endangered (CR), four species are EN, three species are Vulnerable and 15 species are Near - threatened. Among reptiles, one species is Critically Endangered, on e species is Endangered and six species are Vulnerable. The threats along with Protected Areas Management issues have also been identified and Priority A ctions for the conserva tion and management of wildlife and its habitats have been suggested. The achievements made so far in the Province have been highlighted for awareness of the scientific community and for appreciating the commendable efforts in the Pr ovince made so far. Keywords: Wildlife of Balochistan, protected areas of Balochistan, ecotourism sites, threatened wildlife species, key species . INTRODUCTION Much work on the wildlife of Balochistan has been previously done which includes Ahmed and Ghali b Balochistan , with an area of 350,000 sq . km , is the largest (1979 ), Ahmed et al . (1992, 1993, 2011), Ahme d (2003, p rovince while it has the lowest population of 0.7 2013), Ali et al . (2018), Ali et al . (2012), Arshad et al . millions. It consists of 32 districts and contai ns the coastal (2002), Azam (2004), Balochistan Forest and Wildlife area of about 800 km (Fig. 1) . The g eographical Department (2006), Begum et al . (2013, 2016), Ghalib et coordinates include 24.32N and 60.70E. The mountainous al . (1997, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2008), Ghalib and Hasnain ranges exist in the eastern and northern part of province. (1997, 1999), Gore et al . (2012), Government of Mountains of about 7000 ft height are also found. While , Balochistan and IUCN - Pakistan (2000), Groombridge Valleys are situated above 1500 m of sea level. (1987), Grimmett et al . (2008), Iffat (1998), IUCN - Pakistan (2017), Javed and Azam (2005), Kanwal et al . In regard to the variety of biod iversity, this province is (2018), Karki (2016), Khan (2002), Khan (2006, 2008, quite rich in wildlife. Three National Parks, 14 Wildlife 2010), Khan and Sidd iqui (2011), Khan et al . (2004, Sanctuaries, and six Game Reserves are presen t in the 2010), Khurshid et al . (1995), Kiani and Waerebeek Province for the protection and conservation of wild (2015), Mian (1997), MMF Pakistan (2018), Nawaz species (Govt. of Balochistan and IUCN, 2000). (1984), Pandrani et al . (2005), Rasool and Hasnain (2008, 2009), Rehman and Theodore (2005), Roberts (1984,1991, 1992, 1998), Sarwar et al . (2016), Shafiq and Barkati (2002), Shafiq et al . (2002), Shaikh and Molour *Corresponding author e - mail: [email protected] (2004), Siddiqui et al . (2008), Van Gils and Baig (1992) and Waqas et al . (2011). In this study period, from 2015 4814 Canadian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences to 2019, we documented recent o bservations on the for conservation and mana gement of wildlife in the di stribution and current status of the wildlife of Province. Balochistan as well as highlighted the efforts and needs Fig. 1. Map of Balochistan showing Districts in the Province . MATERIALS AND METHOD S Point Surveys Techniques used for S urvey of Mammals In this method , d ifferent point s were selected as the There are several techniques used for survey and observation points for the wildlife. It becomes easier if observation of mammals . Methods which were adopted that point is present on high elevation as it became easy to for the current study included Track Counts, P oint record the status of wildlife. Mostly , the time duration Surveys, Roadside Counts, Line Transects, Strip Census varie s fro m one hour to five hours for observation. and Pellet Counts. Different habitats can be selected for different observations. Dawn and d usk time were found suitable for Track Counts th e implementation of point count method. Track count is a n important technique used for identification of m any species. Specifically nocturnal Roadside Counts animals can easily be traced by track count method. The As large mammals can easily detect the human presence rainy season sometimes become s supportive as old track s by their strong sense of smell so it is not an easy task to diminish while th e new tracks can easily be identified. easily approach them by entering their territory. So Road Track count method was adopted during the survey in side count is much safer te chnique for the observation of selected areas . large mammals. Brower et al . ( 1990 ) used this technique Ghalib et al . 4815 as the researcher passed through the r oa d side on some Techniques us ed for S urvey of Reptiles and Amphibians vehicle and sighted the number of species. The road side count technique was adopted to study th e large mammals Visual Surveys fr om the roads / highway s . Many diffe rent species of Visual survey method was used to ident ify the presence of mammals were sighted including Foxes, Jackals, C ats and turtles in specific location s . This technique facili tates the M ongooses. A vehicle was used to survey the study areas study of popul ation richness, type of habitat and species on a very slow speed to create the least disturbance in identification . thei r natural habitat. The time of daw n and dusk were selected for the se surveys. Line Transact Method Line transacts method was used for reptile surveys. Line Transects Suitable sampling a rea s were selected and transact walks Line Transect method is the most common technique used were made to record the data. by various researchers to study the wild animals. A transect line is set to observe the transferring animals. Plot Sear ching Time has also been recorded for their sighting. Dista nce Plot searching is an important technique to study the has also been estimated betw een the sighted animal and population of reptiles and amphibian. This included the the observer. The total number of individua ls of various plot searching in main habitats of reptiles and a m p hibians. species was colla ted by recording the number of sighted animals . Indirect Data Collection Indirect record of occurrence of species was made by This technique was adopted during the surveys for n oting the presence of signs like tracks, den or tunnels o bserving the large mammals like Ibex, Urial and (egg lying excavation), impression s of foot prints, or tail, Chinkara . The surveys of marine mammals were done by presence of fecal pallets and information which was boats. Different boats of different sizes were used for collected by indirect ways including the interviews of marine survey. The speed of boat s were kept below 12 associated people like fishermen , wildlife officials, knots , while the transact area was observed fr om both traders, hunters and local communities tog e ther with sides of the boats. Two people worked as observers while reviewing of the scientific published literature. one person worked as a recorder. Binoculars were used for the observations. RESULTS AND DISCUSSI ON Pellet Counts Reliable assessment of distributio n and population status Pellet Counts Technique is also a very helpful tool during of wild animals is a long - standing challenge in wildlife. I n the survey for wildlife. Fecal material of various species this study , we conducted several detailed surveys during can act as their identifying tool as well as for providing 2015 - 2019 . B ased on our five year field studies and also information about status of the species. taking into account the reliable secondary informations species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians as Spot Light Method recorded from the P rovince were documented (Table 1) . Spot light method wa s used to detect the nocturnal animals including Hare, Por cupine, Hedgehog, Fox, Wild Table 1. Vertebrate Fauna of Balochistan. Cat and Ja ckal . S. No. Group of animals Number of species Recording of Fresh Holes and Tracks recorded According to Brower et al . (1990) the holes and tracks 1 Mammals 92 method can be used to determine the range and status of 2 Birds 37 3 small mammals. Fresh holes and tracks were counted in 3 Reptiles 1 20 the study area of one sq. km, for the purpose . 4 Amphibians 7 Techniques used for S urvey of Birds Mammals of Balochistan Extensive fields surveys were used to record the Ninety two species of mammals were reco rded in the migtratory and resident birds.