Chukar ppts.pptx
- 2. INTRODUCTION Animal Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae Genus: Alectoris Species: A. chukar
- 3. Species and Sub species of Genus Alectoris The genus Alectoris consists of 7 species and 24 subspecies worldwide, including 16 subspecies of Alectoris chukar (Del et al, 2011). The Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) is a game bird. It is the national bird of Pakistan. They are more abundant then other species and also considered as sign of good luck in native culture.
- 4. Appearance The species has white and black stripes on the sides and a black pitches across the eye running from the forehead and down the crown to make a chain that encircles a snowy throat. The Chukar partridge is 32 – 35 cm in body length, by way of grey breast, buff belly and light brown back. The colour varies among different populations. The Chukar has coral red bill, red legs. Male and female are similar, the male is slightly larger in size than female (Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005).
- 5. Distribution Overall distribution around the globe Its native range is in Eurasia, Turkey, Israel, India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan along the inner ranges of the Western Himalayas to Nepal. (Roberts, 1991). Distribution in Pakistan It is distributed throughout Pakistan. Common Name Scientific name Status Sindh Punjab Balochistan KPK Azad kashmir N.area Chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar C.E P P P P P P
- 6. Habitat, Range Chukar partridge is very adaptable to all kinds of arid, rocky, hilly, stony, sparsely scrub-covered hillsides. This bird is mainly found at elevation of 2000 m to 4000 m except in Pakistan where it is found around 600 m elevation. They are rarely found in highly humid or rainfall areas. (Rasmussen & Anderton 2005, Whistler & Hugh, 1949, Roberts 1991).
- 7. Feeding Chukar partridge is diurnal in nature and feed on the ground in the morning and afternoon (Christensen 1954). Chukar partridge eat a wide variety of seeds and insects as food.
- 8. Breeding The breeding season of Chukar partridge is summer. They mature at the age of 9 to 10 months. The breeding season starts from April to May, a normal clutch size of 6 to 9 eggs, however, in heavier rainfall areas, the clutch size may vary from 15 to 19 eggs and incubation period is 22 to 24 days. Males are monogynous. The male may performs a high step stiff walk while making a special call. The female may then crouch in acceptance and the male mounts to copulate, while grasping the nape of the female. (Whistler and Hugh 1949, Baker and Stuart 1922, Finn and Frank 1915, Ali and Ripley, 2001).
- 9. Other behaviors observed in Chukar partridge Chukar partridge is a very challenging bird, usually Chukar move in group of 5- 40 birds especially in winter and when alone, they are mostly running instead of flying. Chukar partridge have distinct voice calls for threat on ground and in air. For hunters, Chukar is one of the most difficult birds to hunt and hence the name Game Bird. Chukar have the ability to take brisk flights and can disappear in bushes within seconds (Christensen, 1996; Del, et al., 1994)
- 10. Status Alectoris Chukar has most recently been assessed for the IUCN Red list of threatened species in 2018 (IUCN,2018). Alectoris Chukar is listed as “Least Concern”. But it is estimated to be declining at a slow to moderate rate.
- 11. Sign of declining The number of Partridge species has dwindled to such an extent, the sound of a half birds is occasionally heard or occasionally seen. Whenever we hear the sound of the Partridge so it reminds us of our childhood and youth, now we don’t see the same groups of birds here, the birds and animals have stopped going to human settlements.
- 12. Reasons of decline 1. Increase in population 2. Illegal and intensive hunting 3. Habitat destruction 4. Predators
- 13. 5. Diseases: Bird in captivity die from mycoplasma infection and outbreak of disease i.e. Newcastle, Coccidiosis and bird flue (Lateef, 2006). 6. Overgrazing 7. Use of insecticides pesticide and herbicides
- 14. 8. Increase in temperature The progressive increase in temperature as a result of global warming might have an effect on the timing of primary moult. This could affect a bird’s annual cycle, influencing reproductive success and population dynamics (Christensen, 1996). 9. Use of farm machinery and technology.
- 15. 10. Anthropogenic activities The song of chukar seems to be noising for many people in the world but not for the people of Balochistan who love its sound very much. Due to its melodious song for Pushtons and Baloch, this bird is kept in cages which could be high risk for its conservation (Talaal ,2022).
- 16. Steps to conserve Chukar partridge The Wildlife Departments are doing its best to save the Partridges from extirpation. Awareness campaigns and enforcement of legislation are recommended to save the population of chukar partridge. Legal hunting of Partridges is allowed every year only for three months from November to January and a licensed hunter can hunt only five birds a day in small game areas. Shooting is allowed only on weekly and gazetted holidays. Shooting of a maximum bag limit of eight birds per shooting day is allowed. Different protected areas are built to conserve the partridges. Prevention of Coccidiosis in the Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) by Medication with Sulfadimethoxine .
- 17. Chukar partridge has a greater breeding potential in captive conditions compared to natural environment, which supports its healthy population (Qadeer, 2022). Establishment of Wildlife organizations Community Participation in Wildlife Conservation Species and habitat conservation
- 18. Gene Introgression Genetic data indicates that hybridization of the red-legged partridge with rock partridge is widespread phenomena across the entire world. The main risk of interbreeding within species cause the outbreak of abnormal phenotypes and a decrease in genetic diversity of that species (Ahmad et al., 2017). Lack of sufficient information about protection and conservation of chukar is possibly harmful for the status and genetic preservation of national bird of Pakistan .
- 19. Objective To find the presence, releasing and survivability of Red Legged Partridge (A. rufa), Ram Chukar and Alectoris chukar species in, either reintroduced or in their native range. To find the risk of genes introgression in reintroduced, restocked and wild populations of Alectoris chukar. To find the impact of game and companion rearing activities on the said phenomenon. To find out the involvement of local communities in the gene introgression phenomenon.
- 20. Methodology Study Area In this study our main focus will be on Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) in protected areas, associated local communities and in captivity. The potential study sites will be selected after reconnaissance surveys from all the provinces of Pakistan.
- 21. Methodology Punjab Wild Habitat: Salt Range, series of hills and low mountains between the valleys of the Indus and Jhelum river, located in the northern part of the Punjab region of Pakistan. The range extends along with the south of the Pothohar Plateau and the North of the Jhelum River. In east west, the salt range start from Jhelum district along with the bank of river and enter to Chakwal RM district at its extreme south-west corner with altitude of 250- 1600m. This range mainly contain Scrub forests. These forests provide an ideal habitat to the wildlife. Captive (Zoo): Islamabad Zoo, Bahawalpur Zoo, Lahore Zoo.
- 22. Methodology Sindh Wild Habitat: Kirthar range in Sindh . The Kirthar Range forms the boundary between the Lower Indus Plain (east) and southern Balochistan (west). It consists of a series of parallel rock hill ridges rising from 4,000 feet (1,200 m) in the south to nearly 8,000 feet (2,500m) in the north. Captive (Zoo): Rani bagh Zoo
- 23. Methodology KPK Wild Habitat: Chukar partridge occupies all habitats in district Bajaur, in Malakand division. In Chitral. Lower Dir. In sawat valley. Indus Kohistan. Captive (Zoo): Peshawar Zoo.
- 24. Methodology Balochistan Alectoris chukar is found on many high hills of Quetta Ziarat Pishin Killa Saifullah Killa Abdullah Mastung Kalat districts of Balochistan Pakistan. Captive (Zoo): Hazargani Zoo
- 25. Methodology Gilgit Baltistan It has two divisions. Gilgit and Skardu. Potential habitat for Chukar spp. This province is close to China. The close vicinity with China might suggest the same genetic composition in Chukar of both areas.
- 26. Model Case Study In Padhri Game Reserve (Salt Range), a sustainable conservation project for Chukar Partridge is ongoing, since 2016. The birds are acquired from different breeding farms across the Pakistan e.g. in 2018 birds were brought from Quetta and in 2021 from Gilgit Baltistan (wild birds) to change their bloodline and breeding performance. In 2020, a stock of 46 Chukar were released at a site, in which 4 pairs survived and flourished to the more than 50 individuals. These are then either used for breeding purposes and/or for restocking the wild fauna. These birds can also be a good source for studying gene introgression.
- 27. Methodology Study design Submission of proposal to the Ministry of Climate Change, relevant provincial departments and research institutes for the collaboration and for the provision of NOC for the said research project. Questionnaire will be distributed to the field staff of the relevant departments and local communities in the study sites.
- 28. Methodology Study 1: Distribution and habitat use of Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar). The presence of the animal will be confirmed by direct observation of the animals or indirect methods (calls, nest and fecal pellets). Elevation and coordinates of Chukar Partridge occurrence sites will be noted for making distribution map. The map will be developed by Arc GIS software.
- 29. Study 2: Trapping of Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) for Sampling A combination of following trapping methods will be used: Noose trapping, Mist netting, Lure trappings,
- 30. References Ahmad, B., Anwar, M., & Khan, M. S. (2015). HABITAT STUDY OF CHUKAR PARTRIDGE (ALECTORUS CHUKAR) IN DISTRICT MALAKAND-A CASE STUDY OF TOWN THANA. Pakistan Journal of Forestry, 65, 1. Ali. S. and S. D. Ripley, 2001. Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan. 2nd edition. Volume 2.Oxford University Press, New Delhi. Baker. E. C. Stuart 1922. The game birds of India, Burma and Ceylon, Part 31. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 28 (2): 306–312. Christensen, G. C., 1954. The Chukar partridge in Nevada.Nevada Fish and Game Commission. Report Biological Bulletin No. 1. Christensen, G. C., 1996. Chukar (Alectorus chukar). In: The Birds of North America, No. 258 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and the American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C., USA. Del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott and J. Sargatal,1994. eds. Handbook of Birds of the World Vol 2: New World Vultures to Guinea Fowl. Lynx Edicons, Barcelona Discover Life. 2011. Fact sheet: Chukar partridge. Downloaded from http://www.discoverlife.org/20/q Accessed March 2011.
- 31. References Finn and Frank, 1915. Indian Sporting Birds. Francis Edwards, London. pp. 236– 237. Lateef, M., U. Rauf and M. A. Sajid, 2006. Outbreak of respiratory syndrome in Chukar Partridge (Alectorus chukar). J. Anim. Pl. Sci. 16 (1– 2). Qadeer, S., Ejaz, R., Husna, A. U., Azam, A., & Khan, M. A. (2022). Breeding Potential of Pakistan’s National Bird Chukar Partridge: Captivity vs Natural Habitat. RADS Journal of Biological Research & Applied Sciences, 13(1), 70-75. Roberts, T.J., 1991. The Birds of Pakistan. Vol. I. Regional studies and non passeriformes. Oxford Univ. Press. Karachi, Pakistan, pp: 598. Rasmussen, P. C. and J. C. Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Volume 2. Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions. 120 pp. Whistler and Hugh, 1949. Popular Handbook of Indian Birds.Edition 4.Gurney and Jackson, London. pp. 428–430.
- 32. THANK YOU