Disclaimer note - WWF - Pakistan

Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keti Bunder
small mammal population through direct poisoning and reduction of foodsource,
especially in the case of insectivores;
• The presence of a substantial feral dog population (unknown figure) in the
area is probably may be having a detrimental affect on the local small
mammal species. The dogs probably are additional predators to small
mammals and themselves have no main predators.
• Hunting of Desert Hare and to some extent Indian Porcupine is common
at Keti Bunder as it is throughout the region. The pressure on Desert Hare
is present throughout the year and has probably caused the decline of the
species in the Sindh Province
3.2.5.2 Recommendations
• Farmers should be e aware about the importance of small mammal as
natural pest controllers and be given instructions on wise-use of
pesticides and other agro-chemicals on farmed land;
• Some attempts should be e to control the feral dog population in and
around Keti Bunder. This would not only remove some of the pressure on
small mammal populations but would bring benefit to a lot of the wildlife in
the region;
• Public awareness about the need to control certain mammal populations
that are known carriers of disease e.g. the Black Rat;
• Mark and recapture studies should be part of the Indus for All team at Keti
Bunder. This assignment can be given to the Natural Resource
Management Officer who can monitor the local population of selected
small mammal as an indicator of the ecosystem.
WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme Page 44 of 188