Bears in Pakistan: Distribution, Population Biology and Human Conflicts

Fakhar -i- Abbas,Zahid Iqbal Bhatti,Jibran Haider,Afsar Mian

doi:10.35691/jbm.5102.0015

Abstract

We conducted questionnaire based interviews (n = 1873) of respondents coming from 258 localities about bear tracts in northern parts of Pakistan in 2012-2014 to study Himalyan brown (U. arctos isalbellinus) and Himalayan black (U. t. laniger) bears. Brown bears were more frequent in northern latitudes (northern Chitral, Ghizer, Gilgit and Skardu), while black bears were widely distributed in southern latitudes (Battagram). Both brown and black bears are present in central latitudes (Astor, Diamir, Kohistan and Mansehra). We identified 34 populations of brown bears; a large population in the Deosai Plateau and small to very small populations in other localities. We identified 9 isolated meta-populations sharing common gene pools; 7 (Bomborat, Gias, Chowgram, Laspur-Malkov, Koshi-Palas, Phunder-Yasin, Khunjerab) very small with serious inbreeding and threat of extinction, while Deosai and Diamir-Astor populations were large but were expected to have a high level inbreeding. Black bears were present in 45 localities; larger populations in three localities of Battagram (Nagram, Rahing and Shamli). We identified 6 meta-populations of black bears; Kohistan-Batagram-Mansehra, Diamir-Astor and south Chitral meta-populations were large; but 3 other populations (Thack, Hisper-Minipin and Chasma) were small/very small, possibly having high inbreeding. Bears raid standing maize crops (regular and severe in 2 localities and irregular and severe in 6) and fruit (apricot, grape, mulberry and walnut). Average annual bears depredation of 54 cattle, 188 goat/sheep, 4 yaks, and 9 horses/donkeys/mules were reported, inflicting an economic loss of Pak Rs. 2,840,000 (US$ 28,400) to the livestock farming community. Respondents reported 4 incidences of bear attack (1 killed, 3 injured) and 2 cases of cub poaching during 2013.

Highlights

Ursidae is represented in the fauna of Pakistan by 3 subspecies, viz., Baluchistan black bear (Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus), Himalayan black bear (U. t. laniger) and Himalayan brown bear (U. arctos isalbellinus) (Roberts 1997)
Himalayan brown and Himalayan black bears were widely distributed in the hills/valleys of the Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges, but recent decline has restricted their populations to selected pockets (Woods and Kalpatrick 1987, Schaller 1977, Roberts 1997)
Molecular biology studies on the Deosai population indicated high homozygosity and movements of individuals between adjacent populations (Bellemain et al 2007). Both Himalayan brown and Himalayan black bears have a vulnerable status in Pakistan, with populations decreasing in size and ranges of distribution shrinking (Sheikh and Molur 2005)

Summary

Introduction

Ursidae is represented in the fauna of Pakistan by 3 subspecies, viz., Baluchistan black bear (Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus), Himalayan black bear (U. t. laniger) and Himalayan brown bear (U. arctos isalbellinus) (Roberts 1997). Himalayan brown and Himalayan black bears were widely distributed in the hills/valleys of the Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges, but recent decline has restricted their populations to selected pockets (Woods and Kalpatrick 1987, Schaller 1977, Roberts 1997). Both Himalayan brown and Himalayan black bears have a vulnerable status in Pakistan, with populations decreasing in size and ranges of distribution shrinking (Sheikh and Molur 2005).

Results

Conclusion