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Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keenjhar Lake
.254”, E 68º 01’ .215”) and seven animals near Sonehri on southern side of the
lake at (N 24º 59’ .989”, E 68º 07’ .002”). Records of howling and observations of
Jackals at Keenjhar Lake during summer survey are given in Table 9 and Table
10 respectively.
Table 9 – Records of howling of jackals around Keenjhar Lake
Survey Team Animal groups Estimated animals Total Animals
No.
Observed
A 3 04 + 05 + 04 13
B 4 03 + 05 + 06 + 04 18
C 3 04 + 05 + 06 15
Total Animals observed around 3 different sites 46
Table 10 – Records of direct observations of jackals around Keenjhar Lake
Sr.
Location Animals Directly
No.
Observed
1 N 24º 50’ .190”, E 68º 06’ .081” 03
2 N 25º 01’ .254”, E 68º 01’ .215” 04
3 N 24º 59’ .989”, E 68º 07’ .002” 07
Total Animals directly observed 14
3.1.5.2 Population of wild boar
Two dead specimens of Indian wild boar killed by hunters with the help of hunting
dogs were observed along southern side of the lake at N 25º 02’ .375”, E 68º 08’
.209”. Based on the information provided by the hunters and locals regarding the
number of wild boar in the area, it is estimated that about 15 animals are present
around and within the buffer zone of Keenjhar Lake.
3.1.6 Threats and recommendations
3.1.6.1 Threats
• Presence of feral dogs: Presence of a large number of feral as well as
hunting dogs kept for wild boar hunting in the area is a threat for wild
animals. It is also a causal factor for the disappearance of hog deer and
Indian otter from Keenjhar. Feral dogs have no natural threat on them and
are provided with good shelter by humans, has caused severe damage to
Indian otter as young otters are attacked which are now extinct in
Keenjhar.
• Hunting: Scores of hunters particularly during winter season visit the lake
to shoot migratory birds. This definitely poses a threat to the wild animals
around Keenjhar. Similarly, wild boar hunting with dogs and guns also
disturbs the existing wildlife in the study area.
• Persecution of large mammals: In some areas of the Indus Eco-region,
Indian otter is considered a blessing among the poor fishermen. The otter
helps in catching fish in the nets. Due to this positive role, some fishermen
keep tamed otters but now these are extinct in Keenjhar. Despite all this,
the fish farmers don’t like the existence of otters near fish ponds as it
attacks and steals the fish from fish ponds.
3.1.6.2 Recommendations
Ban on hunting around Keenjhar: There are still some chances of
existence of Indian otter in KEFL canal near Chul Side (near inlet of the
WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme Page 38 of 165