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The objective of this study was to determine the optimal timing, sperm concentration, and body condition score (BCS) for laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI) in the subtropical Lohi sheep breed. In Experiment 1, Lohi ewes (n = 80) were synchronised through progestin‐sponges (day 0–day 11), administering PGF2α (d‐cloprostenol 75 μg/mL; i.m. @ 75 μg /ewe) on day 09 and eCG (i.m. @ 300 IU/ewe) on day 11. Ewes were divided equally into four groups (n = 20 each) and then LAI was performed at 48 (T48), 60 (T60), 72 (T72) and 96 (T96) hours post‐sponge removal using 200 million sperm/insemination. In Experiment 2, ewes (n = 81) were synchronised as in Experiment I. Following synchronisation ewes were divided into four groups, each subjected to LAI employing varying sperm concentrations: 10 (S10; n = 21), 20 (S20; n = 20), 50 (S50; n = 20), or 100 (S100; n = 20) million per insemination. Inseminations were performed within a time window of 48–60 h post‐sponge removal, based on the findings from Experiment 1. In both experiments ewes were categorised according to BCS, that is, medium 3 and high > 3. Results of Experiment 1 revealed a quadratic response that ewes inseminated at 60‐h post‐sponge removal exhibited significantly higher pregnancy and twinning rates (p = 0.02). The results of Experiment 2 revealed that sperm concentration had a quadratic effect, 50 million sperm per insemination resulted in maximal pregnancy rates (p = 0.01). Additionally, ewes with medium BCS (≤ 3) had higher pregnancy rates than high BCS (> 3) ewes. In conclusion, ewes with medium BCS (≤ 3) are ideal candidate for LAI and can be inseminated at 60 h with minimal sperm 50 × 106/dose post‐sponge removal to achieve a maximum pregnancy rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nidification and breeding success of Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) was conducted in Village Takoro, District Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KP), Pakistan in March-July 2021, as there is no documented information available in Pakistan. The present study was designed to investigate the nidification and breeding success of spotted dove in the study area. A total 87 nest cavities were observed of which 31 contained active nests whereas 56 were failed nests. The highest percentage of successful position of nidification was found in the middle (44.82%) of the tree followed by fork (35.63%) and terminal (19.54%). The findings on nest height indicate that spotted dove preferred (32.18%) nest height of 3.6-4 m, which was followed by (24.13%) and (21.83%) with heights of 3.1-3.5 m and 4.1-4.5 m, respectively. Successful nest cavities were noticed on Quercus incana with 29.03% followed by Olea ferruginea (22.58%), Broussonetia papyrifera (19.35%), Quercus dilatata (9.67%), Rosa bronii (9.67%) and Ailanthus altissima (6.45%) trees. A total of 62 eggs were found in active nests with 70.96% hatching success and a low percentage of nestlings fledged i.e. (29.03%). The percentage of fledgling success was lower than the hatching success. One was at the North pole, the other was at the South pole, one was at the west pole thus the other was at east. It’s interesting to note that the spotted dove’s new young ones lie at 180° angle as the clutch size is two. Some of the major threats are fledgling failure, egg loss and nestling loss of spotted dove during breeding success which were due to human predation on nests (i.e., removing young from cavities) and predators (i.e., snakes, civets, cats, and crows). Furthermore, the egg loss percentage was also noticed due to hunters (19.35%) whereas the predators showed 12.90% damage. The nestling loss due to hunters was 34.48% whereas the predation loss rate and nestlings fell out from nests were 20.68% and 18.39%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Livestock herding is an essential and time-honored practice in Balochistan, playing a pivotal role in the region's economy, culture, and way of life. The livestock sector is of utmost important in the province, catering to nearly 20% of the national stock. Over centuries, large predators and their prey species, including livestock, have coexisted in these mountainous landscapes. Consequently, large carnivores are more likely to interact with humans due to their extensive home ranges. This research aims to explore the impact of livestock depredation by large predators on livelihoods and conservation efforts in two districts of Balochistan, Pakistan. A human–carnivore conflict survey was conducted from July to September 2019, gathering data from 311 residents in the selected study area. Large predators in the region preyed on a total of 876 livestock over a year, comprising 560 goats, 292 sheep, 19 cows, and 5 donkeys. The gray wolf emerged as the primary predator, accounting for 66.3% of livestock depredation, which was followed by the caracal (24.3%), Asiatic jackal (8.9%), and striped hyena (0.6%). The economic loss totaled USD 78,694. Notably, 80% of respondents held negative perceptions toward wolves compared to 24.4% for caracals. Only 20.6% of respondents were aware of the importance of conserving carnivores. Livestock depredation by carnivores has fostered negative perceptions among locals toward these animals. There exists a lack of awareness regarding the significance of conserving carnivore species and their ecological roles. It is crucial to raise awareness among communities about the ecological importance of predators like the gray wolf, caracal, Asiatic jackal, striped hyena, and Balochistan black bear through community meetings and educational seminars. Furthermore, providing basic education to herders on effective livestock guarding practices is recommended to mitigate human–carnivore conflicts and promote coexistence between wildlife and local communities in Balochistan. Livestock herding is a vital practice in Balochistan, contributing to the economy and culture. The livestock sector is significant in Balochistan, providing 20% of the national stock. Large predators and their prey species, including livestock, have coexisted in these mountainous landscapes for centuries. The aim of the present research is to investigate the impacts of livestock depredation by large predators on livelihoods and predator conservation in two districts of Balochistan, Pakistan. A human–carnivore conflict survey was conducted from July to September 2019, collecting data from 311 residents in a selected study area. Large predators in the study area preyed on a total of 876 livestock during a one-year period, including 560 goats, 292 sheep, 19 cows, and 5 donkeys. The gray wolf is the leading predator, responsible for 66.3% of livestock depredation, followed by the caracal (24.3%), Asiatic jackal (8.9%), and striped hyena (0.6%). The total economic loss was USD 78,694. Overall, 80% of respondents had a negative perception of wolves compared to 24.4% for caracals. Only 20.6% of respondents knew about the importance of conserving carnivores. Livestock depredation by carnivores in the study area created a negative perception of these animals among people. There is a lack of awareness about the importance of conserving carnivore species and their role in the ecosystem. This lack of understanding has ultimately led to detrimental effects on predator populations. It is imperative to raise awareness among people about the ecological significance of carnivores through community meetings, seminars in educational institutions, and providing basic education to herders about effective livestock guarding practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Livestock herding is a vital practice in Balochistan, contributing to the economy and culture. The livestock sector is significant in Balochistan, providing 20% of the national stock. Large predators and their prey species, including livestock, have coexisted in these mountainous landscapes for centuries. The aim of the present research is to investigate the impacts of livestock depredation by large predators on livelihoods and predator conservation in two districts of Balochistan, Pakistan. A human-carnivore conflict survey was conducted from July to September 2019, collecting data from 311 residents in a selected study area. Large predators in the study area preyed on a total of 876 livestock during a one-year period, including 560 goats, 292 sheep, 19 cows, and 5 donkeys. The gray wolf is the leading predator, responsible for 66.3% of livestock depredation, followed by the caracal (24.3%), Asiatic jackal (8.9%), and striped hyena (0.6%). The total economic loss was USD 78,694. Overall, 80% of respondents had a negative perception of wolves compared to 24.4% for caracals. Only 20.6% of respondents knew about the importance of conserving carnivores. Livestock depredation by carnivores in the study area created a negative perception of these animals among people. There is a lack of awareness about the importance of conserving carnivore species and their role in the ecosystem. This lack of understanding has ultimately led to detrimental effects on predator populations. It is imperative to raise awareness among people about the ecological significance of carnivores through community meetings, seminars in educational institutions, and providing basic education to herders about effective livestock guarding practices.