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Disclaimer note - WWF - Pakistan

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Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keenjhar Lake<br />

4.1 Mammals<br />

4.1.1 Summary<br />

There is no significant difference in results of the summer and winter surveys of<br />

the study areas. The same 20 species were recorded from the study areas during<br />

both the surveys. However, during the winter survey, the population of Humpback<br />

dolphin was larger in different creeks at Keti Bunder. This is probably due to<br />

the availability of fish which they feed on. Moreover, most of the mammals<br />

particularly the nocturnal mammals were found more active during the summer<br />

survey and less active comparatively during the winter survey. The reasons seem<br />

to be the homoeothermy and the hibernation factors for less activeness of<br />

mammals during winter.<br />

The existence of Indian otter was doubtful in Chotiari Reservoir prior to these<br />

studies. During the present surveys both in summer and winter, the existence of<br />

this animal was confirmed in Chotiari Reservoir and Keti Shah and its population<br />

was estimated at both the sites.<br />

Estimated populations of mammals at different sites during two different surveys<br />

do not show any significant differences. For example, Hog deer population at Pai<br />

forest estimated during the summer survey was 18 animals whereas estimates<br />

during winter survey showed a population of 20 animals. During the summer<br />

survey 7 otters were estimated at Chotiari Reservoir but during winter survey<br />

about 12 animals were estimated. However, the locations where the otters were<br />

found during the summer survey were different from the locations during winter<br />

surveys. The locations along Nara canal where otters were found during summer<br />

survey showed no sign of otters during winter survey as the Nara canal was dry<br />

during winter survey. It shows that food availability, shelter and health of the<br />

habitat are the main factors.<br />

Local people as well as most of the conservationists believed that there exists the<br />

Asiatic wild ass in north eastern side of Chotiari. The present studies revealed<br />

that the existing population is apparently the feral donkeys known as “Asses of<br />

Achhro Thar” and not the Asiatic wild ass. There is close resemblance of these<br />

animals with the Asiatic wild ass and their coexistence in the same habitat with<br />

the Asiatic Wild Ass for the last 7 decades. Investigation through genomic studies<br />

is trying to identify if these animals are wild asses, feral donkeys or some race of<br />

the Asiatic wild ass. In this regard a genomic analysis of all the three races will<br />

clearly suggest that either the Asses of Achhro Thar are feral donkeys or they are<br />

a separate race or subspecies. Concerns about wild animals among the local<br />

residents are not much severe.<br />

Habitat loss and natural disasters affect wildlife species but the mammalian fauna<br />

of the area is facing serious threats from anthropogenic activities. The apparent<br />

low abundance of many large mammalian species is strong evidence that hunting<br />

and habitat degradation is having a considerable effect on their populations.<br />

A few wildlife species also create problems for the local people and thus are<br />

considered as problem species. The major concerns about wild animals in<br />

different sites of Indus for All Programme are the damages to crops through<br />

agricultural pests like wild boar and porcupine and threats to human lives from /<br />

feral dogs and snake bites.<br />

<strong>WWF</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> – Indus for All Programme Page 117 of 188

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