Assessment of Seasonal Distribution and Threats to Avian Fauna of Lahore Safari Zoo

Shahid Mehmood1,*, Bushra Nisar Khan1, Hassan Raza1, Rida Ahmad1, Azhar Muhammad3, Zulfiqar Ali2, Farhan Abid1, Fehmeeda Bibi4 and Syed Maviz Ahmed5

1Centre for Undergraduate Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore

2Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore

3Safari Zoo Lahore, Lahore

4Department of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan

5National College of Arts, Lahore

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to observe the year round bird species diversity from October 2014 to September 2015 at Safari Zoo Lahore (31° 22’57 N, 74° 12’ 47 E and elevation 208m) located in district Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. In total, 5456 birds belonging to 71 species, 40 families and 12 orders were recorded. Bird species distribution was: year round residents 50 (70.4%), winter migrants 12 (16.9%), summer breeders eight (8) (11.3%) and passage migrant one (1) (1.4%). More birds were observed in winter season compared to summer season. The most dominant species were house crow, Corvus splendens (n=2518), house sparrow, Passer domesticus (n=772), common myna, Acridotheres tristis (n=327), black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax (n=190) and jungle babbler, Turdoides striatus (n=186). Among 71 species, Alexandrine parakeet, Psittacula eupatria was the only near threatened species: all other species were least concern. Human population pressure, habitat degradation and lack of awareness are the main threats that ultimately will cause reduction in species numbers around the study area. Therefore, there is an urgent need to save and protect bird diversity by maintaining the suitable habitat of the area.

Article Information

Received 02 August 2016

Revised 28 July 2017

Accepted 01 November 2017

Available online 15 February 2018

Authors’ Contribution

SM, BNK and ZA compiled the data and wrote the article. FA, FB, HR, FA and RA collected the data. AM and SMA photographed the birds.

Key words

Birds diversity, Seasonal occurrence, Threats, Lahore Safari Zoo.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/2018.50.2.533.538

* Corresponding author: mrshahid0786@gmail.com

0030-9923/2018/0002-0533 $ 9.00/0

Copyright 2018 Zoological Society of Pakistan

Introduction

About 729 bird species have been reported from Pakistan and their presence in three zoogeographical regions (Oriental, Palaearctic and Ethiopian region) is unique in the world due to wintering provision for migratory birds (Grimmett et al., 2001; Mirza and Wasiq, 2007). Waite (1948) recorded bird diversity of Salt Range, Pakistan. Chaudhary et al. (1992) recorded the avifauna of Changa Manga wildlife sanctuary. Baig (1992) recorded the avian fauna of Jallo Wildlife Park, district Lahore. Iqbal et al. (2007) recorded the Birds of Lahore Cantonment. Munir (2010) and Altaf (2010) described the avian fauna of Ravi siphon along River Ravi, district Lahore, and Head Qadirabad at River Chenab, district Gujranwala, respectively. Irfan (2010) reported on the fauna and flora of Changa Manga irrigated forest plantation, Kasur district. Present study is unique in that it is the first endeavour to explore the year around avifauna diversity of Safari Zoo Lahore as the bird fauna of the area has never been described.

Biodiversity conservation in urban areas has gained significance because of increasing human population in urban centers as this is the measure to conserve biodiversity recommended by various worldwide environmental conventions (Kheraa et al., 2009). According to McKinney et al. (2001) and Crooks et al. (2004) during successive urbanization only those species would survive that are best fitted to their habitat as compared to less successful diverse groups of birds. Species richness of a particular area informs us of the ecological importance regarding their natural habitat (Raza et al., 2015; Khalid et al., 2017). Raza et al. (2015) reported the “Avian Diversity of Safari Zoo Lahore, Pakistan during Winter Season” and recorded 52 bird species. The present study was conducted from October 2014 to September 2015 for the assessment of seasonal distribution throughout the year and threats to avian fauna at Safari Zoo Lahore.

Materials and methods

Safari Zoo Lahore (31° 22’57 N, 74° 12’ 47 E) elevation 208m, 10 km from Thokar Niaz Baig on Lahore Raiwind road was established on 26 ha area in 1981 as a forest park. In 1996 the park was transferred to Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department with the name of Woodland Wildlife Park, later to be known as Safari Zoo Lahore extending its area to 96.4 ha. Safari Zoo Lahore is a composite of terrestrial ecosystem. Out of 96.4 ha area, 12 ha area is occupied by the tiger and lion safari each, 4 ha area by two moated ungulate enclosures, one ha area by bird aviary; the safari park lake is spread over two ha. Remaining area is occupied by trees, shrubs planted in the form of wood- lots or groves within or around the grassy lawns and animal enclosures, residential colony and cafeteria.

Study area was divided into three main categories viz., the lake area, woodlots, tree groves around and within the animal enclosures and trees/shrubs planted around the grassy lawns and residential colony (Fig. 1) to observe, identify and estimate the number of birds.

Surveys were conducted on fortnightly basis (26 days in a year) at dawn (6:00 to 9:00 hours) and at dusk (16:30 to 19:00 hours) in summer and in winter from (6:30 to 9:00 hours) at dawn and (15:00 to 17:30 hours) at dusk. Five observers observed birds. Binoculars (10×50mm) were used to identify the bird species.

For direct species identification during field surveys Roberts (1991), (1992), Grimmett et al. (1998), (2008) and Mirza and Wasiq (2007) were consulted.

Number of individuals of a species indicates the local occurrence status including its frequency and comparative abundance (Bull, 1974). The bird species having daily occurrence of individuals at the study area were categorized as very abundant (more than 1000), abundant (200 to 1000), very common (51 to 200), common (21 to 50), fairly common (7 to 20), and uncommon (one to six). One to six individuals of a species recorded in a season (summer or winter) were considered as rare, infrequent or vagrants.

Results

The island within the lake area is richly populated with a variety of trees, shrubs and herbs that provide shelter and food for the avifauna. Woodlots and tree groves exist within and around the animal enclosures including the tiger safari, lion safari, ungulate moated enclosures and antelope safari. Around the residential area, trees and shrubs have been planted that provide natural habitat to birds.

The average temperature typically varied from 6°C to 40°C and only occasionally below 2°C or above 44°C. Relative humidity on an average ranged from 20 to 25% during summer, rising to 40 to 65% during July and August (rainy season) and during winter.

The important flora of Safari Zoo Lahore includes mulberry Morus alba, safaida Eucalyptus camaldulensis, keekar Acacia nilotica, date palm Phoenix dactylifera and sukh chain Pongamia monosperma. Important grasses are: Kana Saccharum bengalensis and Cat tail Typha australis. Herbs and grasses include Cynodon dactylon, Dichanthium annulatum, Panicum antidotale, Poa annua, Parthenium hysterophorus, Imperata sp. along with Qxalis sp.; Calotropis procera is the dominant shrub.

A total of 5456 birds belonging to 71 species, 40 families and 12 orders were recorded during the survey (Supplementary Table I). Fifty (70.4%) bird species observed were resident, 12 (16.9%) winter migrant, and eight (8) (11.3%) summer breeders. Only Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus (0.014%) was the passage migrant (Fig. 2).

The highest number of birds were recorded of order Passeriformes (n=4608) (84.46%). The least number of birds were recorded of Galliformes (n=16) (0.29%), Anseriformes (n=10) (0.18%) and Strigiformes (n=7) (0.13%), respectively were represented by only one species (Fig. 3). Most dominant birds were house crow, Corvus splendens (n=2518), house sparrow, Passer domesticus (n=772), common myna, Acridotheres tristis (n=327), black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax (n=190) and jungle babbler, Turdoides striatus (n=186), and the least dominant pied kingfisher Ceryle rudis (one); their relative abundance is represented in Table I.

Study area is a composite of terrestrial ecosystem, as a whole it provides favourable shelter to diverse avian fauna regarding their natural habitat, food availability as well as suitable climatic conditions favouring diverse populations of birds. Raza et al. (2015) recorded 52 bird species belonging to 30 families and 12 orders during winter from October to December 2014. In the present study 71 bird species belonging to 40 families and 12 orders were recorded that shows high profile of seasonal avian diversity. In Raza et al. (2015) study, among 52 bird species, 37 (71.1%) were resident, eleven (21.1%) winter migrants and four (7.6%) were summer breeders while in the present study, 50 (70.4%) were resident, twelve (16.9%) winter migrants, and eight (11.3%) were summer breeders. Only Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus (0.014%) was recorded as the passage migrant.

Table I.- Relative abundance as well as percentage abundance of five most dominant bird species.

In the present study out of 12 orders, maximum number of bird species (37; 52%) belonging to 21 families were of Passeriformes followed by eight (11.27%) species of Coraciiformes and six (8.45%) species of Columbiformes. Raza et al. (2015) recorded 12 orders, maximum number of bird species (29; 55.7%) belonging to 17 families were of Order Passeriformes followed by three (5.7%) species of Charadriiformes and two (3.84%) species of Coraciiformes. Both studies indicated that Passeriformes was the most prevalent order of the recreational park. Zareen et al. (2016) recorded 65 bird species representing 44 genera and 33 families at Jallo Wildlife Park, Lahore from January to August 2015. Qazi and Hadi (2016) conducted a study at Safari park, Karachi during the period from April to December 2015 and recorded 36,179 birds belonging to 22 species and 15 families. Safari Park, Karachi shows low profile of avian diversity that may be due to inadequate food availability, scarcity of shelter and climatic conditions that are not very conducive to vegetation growth. The Safari Zoo Lahore in comparison to Jallo Wildlife Park, Lahore and Safari Park, Karachi supports more diverse avian fauna i.e., more number of bird species, that might be due to diverse habitats and variety of food enrichment that support more diverse avifauna.

Study area carries plenty of food resources specifically including insects, small invertebrates, crustaceans, grains, arachnids, seeds, fruits to some extent and food remains from the safari visitors, directly or indirectly favouring the avian fauna, particularly to order Passeriformes like barn swallow, common myna and house sparrow (Tanveer et al., 2002). For instance common myna which feeds particularly on the ground in grass for insects, especially on grasshoppers that’s why it has attained its generic name Acridotheres, “grasshopper hunter” (Ali et al., 2001). Variety of herbs and grasses provide many insects, molluscs and vegetable matter that comprise the diet of many bird species including red vented bulbil Pycnonotus cafer, blue-throat Luscinia svecica, Indian blue robin Saxicoloides fulicata etc. (Roberts, 1992). Poa annua provides best habitat for chats Saxicola torquata, Cercomela fusca, Saxicola caprata and for shrikes Lanius isabellinus and Tephrodornis pondicerianus (Tanveer et al., 2002).

Breeding season, habitat conditions and food enrichment might have close relationship with birds’ relative abundance (Bibi and Ali, 2013). Thirty seven species of 21 families belonged to order Passeriformes mainly due to the most suitable habitat conditions (Khan and Ali, 2015); and particular food presence such as insects, crustaceans, small invertebrates, arachnids and food remains from the safari visitors; plays significant role in the diversity and abundance of various bird orders such as Passeriformes, Coraciiformes and Columbiformes. Various bird species show different scales of preference and attraction towards the availability of particular kind of food (Khan and Ali, 2015).

Study area is richly populated with diversified plant species which directly or indirectly provide enough food resources and shelter, facilitating nest building for different bird species including common myna, house sparrow, and jungle babbler etc. Climatic conditions are semi-arid with four seasons, all this prominently supports the Passeriformes and winter migrants. Diversified plant species have a direct or indirect relation with the availability of shelter including their nesting space, food and water, perching and roosting facilities (Mahboob et al., 2013).

Bird species (52) recorded during winter season by Raza at el. (2015) were remarkably more in number than the species recorded during summer season. This increase in number of species simply illustrates that the increase was due to winter migrants; 12 out of 71 bird species that were not seen during the summer season. Lahore Safari Zoo indeed is an important wintering place for many migratory birds such as mallard Anas platyrhynchos, temminck’s stint Calidris temminckii, blue-throat Luscinia svecica etc. due to suitable better habitat and favourable climatic conditions.

Rapid increase in human population and the development of new housing colonies (LDA etc.) are causing natural habitat degradation which ultimately leads to the decline of diverse avian fauna. Lack of awareness among the people about the importance of wildlife, diversity and conservation due to low literacy rates also has serious negative impact upon the study area i.e. interference in their breeding sites, natural habitat or their nesting places. Development projects according to future master plan of the construction of new enclosures for more captive animals will also have some negative impacts reducing the species number around the study area such as in case of Indian roller Coracias benghalensis habitat, it was frequently observed near the safari lake but after the construction of ostrich enclosure, it has not been observed probably due to additional disturbance. Figure 4 shows that the area in green colour is under usage in the form of captive enclosure; for lion and tiger safaris at present but the area other than green in colour is the future master plan and after the completion of master plan project, the present ecosystem favouring the diverse avian fauna would be disturbed that could result in the decline of bird diversity. Better awareness among communities in surrounding areas and improvement in habitat conditions is strongly recommended to support the diverse avian fauna.

Conclusion

It is concluded that the Safari Zoo Lahore supports a rich diversity of avian fauna. Rapid increase in urbanization due to development of different housing schemes would increase pollution around the locality that would affect the avian fauna in future because many bird species are sensitive to pollution e.g. house sparrow. Cutting of trees, for the construction of new enclosures that can alter natural habitat or shelter for avifauna, should be properly planned at study site. Recording 71 bird species is an indication of a healthy ecosystem. Any anthropological and natural change could disturb the bird population and harmony of the safari. For protection and propagation of avifauna awareness among visitors and communities around should be promoted through publicity campaigns, leaflets, brochures, boards, media etc. at local level and any disturbance in the habitat by visitors should also be prohibited. Dos and don’ts guides should be advertised in the safari and also widely circulated to conserve the habitat.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Syed Zafar ul Hassan (Deputy Director Safari Zoo Lahore) and field staff of Safari Zoo Lahore for supporting and guiding us in the conduct of study.

Supplementary material

There is supplementary material associated with this article. Access the material online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/2018.50.2.533.538

Statement of conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest with this publication.

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