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Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keenjhar Lake
4.1 Mammals
4.1.1 Summary
There is no significant difference in results of the summer and winter surveys of
the study areas. The same 20 species were recorded from the study areas during
both the surveys. However, during the winter survey, the population of Humpback
dolphin was larger in different creeks at Keti Bunder. This is probably due to
the availability of fish which they feed on. Moreover, most of the mammals
particularly the nocturnal mammals were found more active during the summer
survey and less active comparatively during the winter survey. The reasons seem
to be the homoeothermy and the hibernation factors for less activeness of
mammals during winter.
The existence of Indian otter was doubtful in Chotiari Reservoir prior to these
studies. During the present surveys both in summer and winter, the existence of
this animal was confirmed in Chotiari Reservoir and Keti Shah and its population
was estimated at both the sites.
Estimated populations of mammals at different sites during two different surveys
do not show any significant differences. For example, Hog deer population at Pai
forest estimated during the summer survey was 18 animals whereas estimates
during winter survey showed a population of 20 animals. During the summer
survey 7 otters were estimated at Chotiari Reservoir but during winter survey
about 12 animals were estimated. However, the locations where the otters were
found during the summer survey were different from the locations during winter
surveys. The locations along Nara canal where otters were found during summer
survey showed no sign of otters during winter survey as the Nara canal was dry
during winter survey. It shows that food availability, shelter and health of the
habitat are the main factors.
Local people as well as most of the conservationists believed that there exists the
Asiatic wild ass in north eastern side of Chotiari. The present studies revealed
that the existing population is apparently the feral donkeys known as “Asses of
Achhro Thar” and not the Asiatic wild ass. There is close resemblance of these
animals with the Asiatic wild ass and their coexistence in the same habitat with
the Asiatic Wild Ass for the last 7 decades. Investigation through genomic studies
is trying to identify if these animals are wild asses, feral donkeys or some race of
the Asiatic wild ass. In this regard a genomic analysis of all the three races will
clearly suggest that either the Asses of Achhro Thar are feral donkeys or they are
a separate race or subspecies. Concerns about wild animals among the local
residents are not much severe.
Habitat loss and natural disasters affect wildlife species but the mammalian fauna
of the area is facing serious threats from anthropogenic activities. The apparent
low abundance of many large mammalian species is strong evidence that hunting
and habitat degradation is having a considerable effect on their populations.
A few wildlife species also create problems for the local people and thus are
considered as problem species. The major concerns about wild animals in
different sites of Indus for All Programme are the damages to crops through
agricultural pests like wild boar and porcupine and threats to human lives from /
feral dogs and snake bites.
WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme Page 117 of 188