[🇵🇰] Wildlife in Pakistan

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Villagers kill rare white leopard in Kerthar National Park​

The body was recovered in the village of Mohammad Ali Faqeer; SWD registers case against 5 involved in the killing

Sameer Mandhro
January 23, 2024

 

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Leopard breed found in the mountains of Kaghan Valley. This leopard was found in injured condition today at Malkandi. It has been rescued and shifted to Dhodial Pheasantry.

 

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Auction fetches record $212,000 for single markhor kill​

Bureau Report
October 31, 2023

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Climate Change, Forestry, Environment and Wildlife Department on Monday auctioned four licences for hunting of Kashmir Markhor in Chitral and Kohistan districts with one of them fetching a record $212,000.
A statement issued here said the highest bid was offered by M/S Mehran Safari for $212,000 for single markhor to be hunted in Toshi-I area of Chitral. “This is the highest rate ever offered in the history of markhor trophy hunting,” the statement said.

The second highest bid was offered by M/S Zoon Safari for $185,000 for a single markhor to be hunted in Toshi-II, Chitral. This was also the second highest rate ever offered in the history of markhor trophy hunting.

The third highest bid was offered by M/S Shikar Safari for $135,900 for a single markhor to be hunted in Keigah area of Kohistan. The fourth highest bid was offered by M/S Hunting Safari for $125,000 for a single markhor to be hunted in Gehrait area of Chitral.

The statement said that 80 per cent of the proceeds from the trophy hunting programme were distributed among the locals for community development and wildlife conservation activities in the respective villages.
Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2023

 

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Markhor population in Pakistan witnesses significant increase​

Markhor population reaches 5,621...

Asif Mehmood
November 15, 2023

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA: The population of Pakistan's national animal, the Markhor, has witnessed a noteworthy surge in the province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

Renowned for its agility, long winter coat, and distinctive large spiral horns, the Markhor predominantly inhabits the lofty mountains of Chitral, Kohistan, and Kalam within the K-P province, as well as the northern Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) region.

According to the Wildlife Department's recent findings, the Markhor population in K-P has experienced a substantial increase, reaching a count of 5,621.

This surge is attributed to heightened awareness regarding illegal hunting practices, showcasing a positive impact on conservation efforts. Notably, specific regions such as Swat and Kohistan have witnessed pronounced increments in Markhor populations.

The detailed breakdown reveals specific figures for Chitral, Kohistan, and Swat, indicating a population of 2,427, 660, and 159 Markhors, respectively. These numbers provide insights into the distribution and concentration of the wild goat species across different regions, shedding light on the success of conservation initiatives and the preservation of this iconic animal in Pakistan.

Likewise, in January 2023, the sighting of a rare Markhor in Chitral city generated considerable excitement among the local population. Subsequently, the male Markhor was successfully captured and released into a national park where hunting is strictly prohibited, as enforced by wildlife watchers.

 

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Green turtles fight to survive against Pakistan’s urban sprawl​

AFP

KARACHI: Against the backdrop of the mega port city of Karachi, choked with traffic and construction, four green turtles emerge from the frothy Arabian Sea seeking a spot to lay their eggs.

Three immediately retreat to the water, put off by the glittering lights and heavy beat of a nearby beach party.

But one trundles towards the end of the beach bank, its flippers whipping sand into the air before settling on a dry spot of sand in which to deposit 88 golf ball-sized eggs.

Six conservationists tasked with protecting the last surviving turtle species to nest in Pakistan stand guard nearby.

“Being human doesn’t only call for loving another human being. These animals also require the same attention and love,” said Ashfaq Ali Memon, the head of marine wildlife at Sindh province’s Wildlife Department.

Ashfaq Ali Memon (L), the head of marine wildlife at Sindh province’s Wildlife Department, releases newly-hatched green turtles on Sandspit beach in Karachi. AFP


Sandspit Beach is a beloved recreation spot for the city’s 22 million residents, as well as a critical habitat for Pakistan’s endangered green turtles.

The eight-kilometre (five-mile) stretch of beach is being relentlessly encroached upon by the construction of concrete beach houses that have, metre-by-metre, eaten into the strip of sand where turtles nest.

“Once I saw someone disturbing a turtle while she was laying eggs. She ran off for safety, leaving a trail of eggs behind her. That was a very painful scene,” said Haseen Bano, Memon’s wife who supports the work of the volunteers.

Pollution threat

Marine turtles have covered vast distances across the world’s oceans for more than 100 million years but human activity has tipped the scales against the survival of these ancient creatures, the World Wildlife Fund says.

Until the early 2000s, the beaches of Pakistan’s Arabian coast were the nesting habitat for five endangered turtle species.

Now only the green turtles come to shore to lay their eggs on just two beaches in Karachi and on uninhabited islands in Balochistan province, further down the coast towards Iran.

Wildlife Dept inks ‘management agreement’ with Punjab Rangers

Alongside construction, noise and garbage pollution, WWF-Pakistan has also reported that diesel and petrol fumes have caused deformities in hatchlings.

As well as major disruption to their nesting habitats, thousands of turtles are also injured or killed in fishing nets every year.

Named for the greenish colour of their cartilage and fat, they are classified as endangered across the world.

Living dinosaurs

Sindh Wildlife Department has a dedicated team of six volunteers, paid according to fluctuating donations, who patrol the beaches after dark during nesting season between August and January.

“When the turtles arrive to use the pits, our volunteers are present to take care of them and to ensure no one can disturb them,” Amir Khan told AFP.

The 88 – a decent batch for a young female – were delicately collected the same night and taken to a protected coastal conservation centre and reburied in the sand for the 45-60 day hatching cycle, away from the danger of stray dogs, mongoose and snakes.

Baby turtles just a few hours old and only about two inches long are meanwhile brought to the water’s edge in buckets by volunteers and released one-by-one, swimming off into the night.

Data on the number of green turtles is not available in Pakistan but, for the past few years, the number of hatchlings has increased.

Members of Sindh province’s Wildlife Department keep green turtles’ eggs in a bucket on Sandspit beach in Karachi. AFP

In 2022, volunteers successfully hatched 30,000 eggs and the current year’s count has already passed 25,000 just over halfway through the season.

Khan said these “living dinosaurs” will continue to struggle against the accelerating urban sprawl of the city and the dangers posed by fishermen.

“It feels good to take care of these turtles, they boost the beauty of our beach,” said Mohammad Javed, a 29-year-old volunteer who inherited the caretaker legacy from his father.

 

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Animals That Live In Pakistan — Pakistan Animals​

Rhesus macaques are native to the Southeast, Central, and South Asia.

Pakistan is a South Asian state with a diverse fauna which includes 660 bird and 177 mammal species. The country’s unique fauna is related to its position in the transitional zone right between Oriental and Palearctic zoogeographical regions. Pakistan’s fauna reflects the state’s varied climate. Majority of the birds in the country are migratory coming from India, Central Asia, and Europe. Some of the animals of Pakistan include:

10. Snow Leopard​

The snow leopards are huge cat species which are indigenous to the mountainous ranges of South and Central Asia. These creatures are listed as vulnerable since their population had reduced to between 4,678 and 8,745 by 2016. The body weight of the snow leopards ranges from 49 to 121pounds with some bigger male weighing up to 165 pounds.

Their head-and-body length is about 59 inches while their shoulder height is approximately 22 inches. These cats have a 41-inch long tail. Their fur is gray to white with numerous black spots on its neck and head.

They have large rosettes on their bushy tails, flanks, and backs. The hairs on their furs are about 4.7 inches long. The bodies of these snow leopards are stocky with short legs, and they are smaller in size than all the other cats belonging to the genus Panthera. Their eyes are grey or pale green.

9. Rose-Ringed Parakeet​

The rose-ringed parakeets are medium-sized psittacines which belong to the genus Psittacula. These parrots are sexually dimorphic. The mature rose-ringed parakeets have black and red neck rings while the female and young ones have no ring or a shadow-like dark grey ring. They have a unique green color and are 16 inches long, with their feathery tails representing a bigger part of their length. The wings of a mature parrot are about 6.9 inches each. They are noisy creatures with a unique squawking call. A rose-ringed parakeet can be taught how to speak.

8. Indus Valley Toad​

The Indus valley toads, also known as Bufo stomaticus, are toad species which are indigenous to numerous Asian countries including Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Peninsula India. These toads do not have a cranial crest, and the gap between their eyes is larger than their upper eyelids. They have a spiny ridge on their tarsus with their second and first fingers being almost equal in size. The toads have a white underside with some darker mottling on their throat. They have three dark bands on their forearms.

7. Pallas's Cat​

Pallas’s cats are small wild felines which are indigenous to Central Asia. The Pallas’s cats are listed as Near Threatened. They were named after Peter Pallas, a German naturalist who described them under Felis manul in 1776. Their body size ranges from 18 inches to 26 inches with a 12.2 inch tail. These cats weigh about 9.9 pounds. Their dense, long fur and stocky posture make them appear plush and stout.

Their furs are ocher with some darker vertical bars on their forelegs and torso. Their winter coats are greyer with fewer patterns than their summer coats. Their foreheads have some dark spots. They have black rings on their tails. The throat and chins of these cats are white. They have white cheeks with some black stripes which run from the corner of their eyes.

6. Ladakh Pika​

Ladakh pikas are mammal species belonging to the family Ochotonidae and are indigenous to Pakistan, India, and China. The Ladak pika was previously known as plateau pika because of their similarities and color. However, the difference between these two species includes the small auditory bullas which are on the Ladak pika, plus they have differently arched skulls.

Their furs are light grey/brown with their underside being white/yellow. The body length of these species ranges from 7 inches to 9 inches.

10 Animals That Live in Pakistan — Pakistan Animals​

A list of 10 animals of Pakistan.
www.worldatlas.com​

 

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Cont'd

5. Rhesus Macaque​

Rhesus macaques belong to the Cercopithecidae family. These monkeys are native to the Southeast, Central, and South Asia. They are grey or brown with a pinkish face which has no fur. Their tails are about 9 inches long.

The length of adult male Rhesus macaque is 21 inches, and they weigh about 17 pounds. The females are way smaller averaging approximately 12 pounds in weight and 19 inches in length.

4. Bharal​

Bharal, also known as Naur, is a goat-antelope indigenous to the high Himalayas of Pakistan, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and India. The male Bharals are larger than the females with their body weight ranging from 77 to 165 pounds.

Their maximum body-and-head length is 65 inches. The Naurs have a 7.9 inch long tail. Bharals have a slate grayish coat which has a bluish sheen at times.

The front parts of their legs and chest are black while the other parts of their legs and under-parts are white. They have a charcoal colored stripe which separates their white belly from their grey back.

Both sexes have horns which are ridged on the top surface. The length of the horns on females is 7.9 inches while on males they can grow to about 31 inches long.

3. Long-Tailed Marmot​

The long-tailed marmots are huge squirrels which belong to the Sciuridae family. They reside in the mountainous areas of Central Asia. Their typical habitat is the alpine meadows and rough grasslands among rocks. These marmots are sturdy and large rodents which weigh about 20 pounds.

The eyes of these rodents are near the top of their flat heads. The long-tailed marmots have short necks and smaller ears. Their hind legs are shorter than their forelegs. The long-tailed marmots have longer tails than all the other marmot species.

2. Lahore Pigeon​

Lahore pigeons are domestic pigeons which are well-known for their gentle nature and impressive size. Just like all the other domesticated pigeons, the Lahore pigeons are the descendants of the Columba livia (rock pigeons). They are large pigeons which are about 11.5 inches long with 10.5 inch tails.

The base color of these pigeons is white with another color starting at the place where the wattle and beak meet and then spread over their eyes and across their wings and back. Their tail and rump are white. They are bred in numerous colors including black, brown, blue and red among others.

1. Golden Jackal​

Golden jackals are wolf-like Canidae which are indigenous to South Asia, Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, and Southeast Europe.

They are believed to be the descendants of the Arno river dogs which resided in Southern Europe about 1.9 million years ago.

The body length of male golden jackals is between 28 inches to 33 inches while the females measure between 27 inches to 29 inches. The female weighs about 24 pounds while the average weight of the male golden jackal is 31 pounds.
The shoulder height of the golden jackal is approximately 20 inches. They have coarse and short golden fur. Their color varies with the season from dark tawny to pale creamy yellow.

They have a mixture of white, brown and black hair on their back which gives them a saddle-like appearance.

10 Animals That Live in Pakistan — Pakistan Animals​

www.worldatlas.com​

 

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Trophy hunting season begins in Gilgit-Baltistan.

A hunter from Belgium hunted the Markhor for Rs. 54.4 million. It should be remembered that the government of Gilgit-Baltistan issues licenses for five Markhors every year.

 

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[H2]Four Paws is back to treat eight rescued bears in Islamabad[/H2]
Jamal Shahid
April 6, 2024

Head Veterinarian at Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Dr Frank Goritz treats a bear at the old Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad. — White Star

ISLAMABAD: In an important development for wildlife conservation, Four Paws, an international animal welfare organisation, has returned to Islamabad to provide crucial medical treatment to eight bears rescued since 2021.

On a five-day visit, Four Paws went to work immediately and put Aneela (female bear) under anesthesia to remove the nose ring and gave it a complete health check-up. About seven years old, Aneela had had the nose ring for five years and removing it required delicate procedure which was performed by Dr Frank Goritz, head veterinarian at Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin.

Four Paws returned on the urgent request of Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB). The team of veterinarians and wildlife experts will support the wildlife authorities with the treatment and neutering of eight resident bears at the rescue and rehabilitation centre (old Islamabad zoo). The team would also assist in planned rescue and relocation of new confiscated bears from bear baiting, dancing and breeding activities.

Teaming up with the IWMB came after Punjab Minister for Wildlife Maryam Aurangzeb ordered all wildlife departments to raid districts in Punjab and confiscate dancing bears. Aneela, the female bear, was confiscated by Gujranwala wildlife department and handed over to IWMB's wildlife rescue centre for rehabilitation.

Animal welfare body says it aims to end illegal bear keeping practices in Pakistan

"Aneela was treated by expert veterinarians from Four Paws. She underwent a comprehensive medical examination during which the team removed a nose pin and treated broken teeth and injuries inflicted by poachers. Other injuries were identified and successfully treated, ensuring Aneela's well-being and future health," IWMB Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan told Dawn.

According to the official, Four Paws was set to examine the remaining seven bears rescued by IWMB in coming days, providing them with the necessary medical attention and care. Four Paws had recommended establishing a permanent sanctuary for bears at the site of the old zoo, providing a safe and suitable environment for the rescued animals in the near future, she said.

"They will now be working with IWMB to establish a permanent sanctuary at the site of the old zoo. This collaboration between Four Paws, IWMB and the Punjab Wildlife Department marks a significant step forward in wildlife conservation efforts in Pakistan. It highlights the importance of cooperation between governmental and non-governmental organisations in protecting and preserving the country's precious wildlife," she said.

Four Paws maintained that the cruel practices violated local animal welfare regulations and caused massive animal suffering. In cooperation with the Pakistani government, it aimed to end illegal bear keeping practices in the country.

After arriving at the rescue and rehab centre, the experts said they would examine and treat the bears already located at the rescue centre. The focus would be on implementing measures to prevent breeding among the rescued bears. The team would also provide recommendations to ensure the future high quality and species-appropriate care of all the bears. Moreover, Four Paws was awaiting a pending court decision that would decide the fate of four Asiatic black bear cubs in Punjab.

"It is crucial to assess the health of all bears and our priority to neuter them to prevent unwanted breeding. That way we can ensure ethical wildlife management going forward. We are grateful for the trust of the Pakistani authorities in our expertise and committed to improve the lives of as many bears as possible. We will also support the preparation of enclosures for the new arrivals at the rescue centre and ensure proper care for all animals going forward," said Four Paws veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil, who leads the action in Pakistan.

IWMB's rescue and rehabilitation centre is housing eight Asiatic black bears rescued from illegal private keeping as dancing bears.

"In our decades-long work to help exploited and abused bears around the world, we have seen the terrible suffering of bears mistreated for human entertainment such as baiting or dancing. Four Paws welcomes the action the Pakistani government is taking against such cruel practices, and we are happy to work together on this important cause. Our collaboration aims to find sustainable long-term solutions for the animals and help law enforcement to effectively put an end to the illegal practices of dancing bears and bear baiting in Pakistan," said Josef Pfabigan, the CEO and president of Four Paws.

The IWMB chairperson said that her office was considering a forever home for the rescued Asiatic black bears at the rescue and rehab centre where there was ample space. "These bears are captured as cubs and cannot be released back into the wild due to old age or injury – many die of starvation as they never learned how to hunt for food or had their claws and teeth removed," she said.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2024

 

[Ghazi52]

Lichtenstein's sandgrouses have always been on top of my list among the many birds and animals I have seen and shot at Kheerthar National Park on my regular wildlife photography trips for the past five years.

It has always been moment of immense pleasure to see and photograph these breathtakingly beautiful birds in the wild.

Their natural camouflage makes them extremely difficult to spot when they are not moving or making any sound, which they virtually ever do.
#kheerthar_national_park Sindh, Pakistan.

 

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When feathers fly, Battle of the Egrets.
Oct 2024 - Sialkot , Pakistan.

 

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The Beautiful Common Merganser in various glorious settings in the heavenly settings of Deosai National Park, GB.
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July ‘2024...

All reactions

 

[Ghazi52]

Tufted Duck & Common Pochard
Sialkot
Nov-2023

 

[Ghazi52]

The kalij pheasant
March-2019

 

[Ghazi52]

Red Fox
Islamabad
12-15-2014