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Knowledge of a species' distribution is important for developing effective conservation programs. In Pakistan, little is known about the status or distribution of most carnivores coexisting in the same landscape. To address this knowledge gap, we studied distribution patterns of coexisting carnivores in Margalla Hills National Park, using both conventional as well as DNA-identified scats, and other signs. Although scat surveys remain a popular approach to study carnivores, scat identification based on morphology alone is error-prone. As part of our study, we therefore evaluated accuracy of morphological identification of scats using genetic techniques. Field surveys were conducted from September 2015 to December 2018. Using 593 direct (sighting, camera trapping, road kills) and indirect (scats, footprints) field signs, we detected total 11 carnivore species in the park, including 10 that were represented in the subset of 248 (47.7%) scats identified from DNA. The molecular analyses confirmed that the misidentification rate was highest for red fox (Vulpes vulpes) (8.47%), followed by Asiatic jackal (Canis aureus) (7.66%), but least for small Indian civet (Viverricula indica) (3.63%). For investigating habitat association of carnivores, and to test for the associations between species presence and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), we compared the mean and standard deviation of NDVI of each species' presence locations with the mean and standard deviation of NDVI along the 23 sampling transects. Based on DNA-verified and all scats, carnivore species showed a range of mean NDVI, suggesting, preliminarily, some species may utilize a greater diversity of habitat types than others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus laniger) inhabits deciduous, broad-leaved forests, thorn brush forests, and coniferous forests, occurring from 1500 up to 4,000 m above sea level. The species, in many areas of its range, is in conflict with humans, however, data on its population and economic losses are scanty in the country. We investigated its occurrence, population and human conflict in Mansehra District during 2016-2017. A total of 66 indirect signs of Asiatic black bear were recorded with an altitudinal variation of habitat ranging from 1511m to 2570m elevation including 17 dens and 44 scats of the bear from 10 different sampling sites. The sign density of black bear ranged between 17/km² (Paris MRF site) and 1.2/km² (Sharan site). Sign density was high in habitats having thick, dense and broad-leaved forest with steep slopes having the water resource/s. Sightings of the bear were the highest in the month of July (32%), and the least from November 2016 to March 2017. A total of 74 livestock were killed (in previous five years span) by Asiatic black bear including goats (75%), sheep (14%), and cows (11%), amounting to economic loss of 15,240 US$. Moreover, 16,420 kg maize was damaged by Asiatic black bear having a worth of 3284 US$. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grey wolf Canis lupus, categorized as “Endangered” in Pakistan, is one of the largest species of Canid family; it occurs in various parts of the country including upper Swat area. Reportedly, species population is declining in its range, however, data on its ecological aspects are scanty in the country. In the current study, we investigated distribution and diet of grey wolf and the level of its human conflict in Mahoodand valley of Swat District. Results revealed the occurrence of grey wolf at an elevational range between 2332 m to 2926 m above mean sea level (amsl); a total of 7 dens, 30 pug marks and 33 scats of the species were recorded. A careful estimate gave a population density of 0.45 individuals/km² in the study area. Scat analysis for diet composition showed 5 domestic and 8 wild prey species in its diet menu, with major share (53 %) from livestock and relatively less (46%) from wild prey. The grey wolf has emerged as one of the major predator in the study area consuming mainly donkey, horse, cow, sheep and goats, resulting in a negative perception among the locals. Most of the depredation occurs at night time while maximum livestock are depredated during winter season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gray wolf (Canis lupus; Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most widespread terrestrial species and occurs in a variety of habitats. While well studied in North America and Europe, wolf populations in Asia are among the most evolutionarily distinct, endangered and data deficient. The Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) is a subspecies of gray wolf that ranges from Southwest Asia to the Indian Subcontinent. Despite being categorized as "Endangered" in Pakistan, data on the gray wolf's status, ecology and distribution are poorly understood. The current study investigates its genetic distinctiveness, distribution, feeding ecology and wolf livestock conflict in the Suleman Range, South Waziristan, Pakistan. We confirmed that the gray wolf is present in South Waziristan and is genetically similar to the wolves of Iran and Saudi Arabia based on their mtDNA D-loop haplotypes. The gray wolf was recorded at eight different sampling sites in the study area with elevational range between 1642 m to 2688 m. We estimated a population of 15 wolves, with a density of 0.62 individuals/km2 area surveyed. An analysis on scats revealed 52% contribution from livestock (with goats and sheep being the preferred prey) and 48% from wild prey. Biomass consumption showed gray wolf relied heavily on domestic prey (88%) during the summer season, resulting in human conflict with 28 wolves killed in response to livestock depredation during 2016–2017, requiring immediate conservation measures to save its remaining population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wide distribution of a predator can reflect its flexibility in adapting to various ecosystems. The common leopard (Panthera pardus) is "Critically Endangered" in Pakistan while the IUCN Red List categorizes it globally as "Vulnerable". This study investigated the distribution of the common leopard and the contribution of livestock in its diet in District Sudhanoti of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. During the surveys, scats, pugmarks, prey remains, and dead bodies of the common leopard were recovered in a scanned area of approximately 262 km2. The scats were mostly found on tracks and trails in hilly terrain, and pugmarks in the riparian zone and nallas, while prey remains were found mostly in dense bushes and rocks. Dead common leopards were recovered within or around village areas. All signs of the species were found between 418 m and 2016 m elevation above sea level. Scat analysis revealed a total of ten prey species including seven domestic mammals and only three wild meso-mammals. Domestic animals were most frequently consumed while wild prey contributed significantly less. The consumption of domestic prey species was found not to differ between the summer and winter season. We conclude that the common leopard was sustaining mainly on livestock with a much smaller contribution from wild prey. This fact, along with the "Critically Endangered" status of the species in the country, demands effective conservation measures to be taken to save common leopards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Endangered Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata , a burrowing, armoured mammal, plays an important role in the food web by consuming insects and termites. In Pakistan the species' range includes the 22,000 km2 Potohar Plateau, where it is under pressure from illegal hunting for its scales and requires conservation attention. We used a geographical information system to quantify the range of the Indian pangolin on the Plateau and to compare this with the range estimated in the IUCN Red List assessment of the species. We found that the species occupies c. 89% of the Plateau, in eight of the 10 protected areas, compared with the IUCN estimate of 71%, and we recorded the species at 40 locations on the Plateau outside the range predicted by the IUCN assessment. We collected data on the illegal capture and killing of the species, recording 412 individuals that had been killed at 48 locations between January 2011 and the end of April 2013. The highest number of killings was recorded in Chakwal District (n = 156, at 13 sites) followed by the Attock District (n = 149, at eight sites). Although the Indian pangolin's range on the Potohar Plateau is c. 18% larger than that estimated in the IUCN assessment, the species is under pressure from illegal killing and requires urgent conservation measures to save the small remaining population and avoid the extirpation of this vital insectivorous predator from the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]