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Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keenjhar Lake
2.1 Large Mammals
2.1.1 Team composition
Apart from the permanent team members from WWF Pakistan, different
professionals, field biologists and supporting staff members from different site
offices of Indus for All Programme, Sindh Wildlife Department, Sindh Forest
Department and Karachi University accompanied the study team. The study
teams comprised of 6-9 members for different sites during summer and winter
surveys. Details of study teams for each site are given in Appendix I.
Most of the large mammals reported from the sites are mostly nocturnal whereas
few diurnal medium sized and larger mammals are also distributed in the area.
The aquatic mammals are reported only from Keti Bunder and Keti Shah.
Therefore, different direct and indirect methods of detection were applied; first to
locate various mammalian species and secondly, to estimate the populations of
some mammals of concern. The following direct and indirect observation
methods applied during the survey included;
2.1.2 Point surveys
In this method, observation points were established along roads, edges of ponds
or marshes, at a higher place or at any other location suitable for viewing the
habitat. For a period of 15 to 60 minutes at each observation point, the observer
recorded all sightings of the mammals at that site and then calculated an index of
abundance of each species as the number of animals seen per hour of
observation (Brower et. al 1990).
2.1.3 Roadside counts
Roadside counts technique was applied at Keenjhar Lake mostly for the nocturnal
mammals like foxes, jackals and cats. Additionally this technique was used in
Keenjhar Lake as a means to locate different nocturnal mammals using search
lights on 4x4 jeeps as well as diurnal mammals like mongooses.
2.1.4 Track counts
Tracks can be the first indication of the presence of animals in an area. Track
counts especially after rain can be useful in identifying different animals
especially those which are nocturnal and secretive in habits. A fresh rain
eliminates the previous tracks and the recent tracks of animals entering or leaving
the study area can be used as a measure of their abundance. During the survey
period, track counts technique was applied at all the five study sites and at
Keenjhar Lake this technique was applied just for the confirmation of the
presence of nocturnal mammals.
2.1.5 Line transects
The line transect or strip census method of population estimation involves
counting the animals seen by an observer traversing a predetermined transect
line and recording the distances at which they were seen or flushed. The average
of the flushing distance is determined and used to calculate the effective width of
the strip covered by the observer. The population for the entire area then is
considered to be the number of animals flushed, divided by the area of the strip
and multiplied by the total area (Schemnitz 1980).
WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme Page 23 of 165