Threats and Hunting Methods of Crane Species in District Karak of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

This study aim to determine threats to crane species, reasons of hunting, hunting methods and affective approach for conservation in district Karak, Pakistan. Study area fall on the migratory rout of the refuges flocks of Cranes species so it is extended to its migratory routs. The data were collected through semi structured questionnaires and field visits in three campuses in the months of October and November, 2010. The study find out that migratory flocks of cranes decrease by 95% in the last 15-20 years and now rarely passing through these routes. The number of cranes in each flock decrease and changed the migratory rout from Karak to Dera Ismail Khan. It is also investigated that captive population and number of individual as well as breeding pairs increased in the district Karak. This study played an important role in the awareness of local community through various methods for conservation of cranes in district Karak. The study also reports to the wildlife conservators and high officials that habitat protection is suggested to be very helpful in the conservation of crane species at district Karak.

Keywords: Threats to cranes, Migratory routs, Different methods for huntting of cranes in district Karak