Damages Done by Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) in Moji Game Reserve and its Surroundings, Leepa Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Pakistan)

Abstract

Photoperiod and shelter have direct or indirect effects on phenotypic traits expression in different fish species. The present study was, therefore, intended to explore whether these light and shelter could influence some phenotypic traits of African catfish larvae under laboratory condition. Newly hatched larvae were stocked in plastic aquaria (10L) at a rate of 5 individuals/L and reared for one month under four treatments such as 24h light (24L), 24 h dark (24D), 12h light and 12h dark with PVC (12DL_PVC), and 12h light and 12h dark without PVC (12DL) conditions. A total of 108 larvae were sampled for phenotypic traits analysis. The results revealed that complete darkness (24D) significantly improved the overall growth parameters (total length, standard length, caudal peduncle length, anal fin length, caudal fin length, total body depth, dorsal fin length, pre dorsal distance, pre anal distance, pre ventral distance, head width, head length, eye diameter, maxillary barbell length, inter orbital length, and specific growth rate) than all other treatments, while no significant variation was found among other treatments. Although shelter did not show any significant role in the overall growth, it significantly reduced the larval mortality than those reared without shelter. The survival rates were also significantly different among various light regimes in which the highest was found in 24D (86%) followed by 12DL_PVC (74%), 24L (71%), and 12DL (60%). The study also revealed that larvae reared in 24D exhibited maximum dark brown body colouration (63%), while in 24L showed maximum light brown colouration (96%). On the other hand, maximum larvae were appeared as medium brown color (76%) in tanks having PVC, whereas many of them were light brown (61%) in non-PVC tanks. Taken together, the study suggests that C. gariepinus larvae should be reared in completely dark condition to enhance their overall production.

Activity pattern of Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in Machiara National Park, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

“…Previous studies reported high intensities of human black bears con icts in Pakistan (Ali et al 2017; Kazmi et al 2019;Waseem et al 2020;Zahoor et al 2021c;Zahoor et al 2021d), however, there is no study available on activity pattern of black bears. In Taiwan, it was reported that in oak poor season, bears activity decreased and vice versa (Hwang and Garshelis 2007).…”

“…Black bears are often involved in livestock depredation and crop raiding, therefore are usually killed in retaliation by the local people (Charoo et al 2011; Jamtsho and Wangchuk 2016). The con ict starts from late spring that gradually intensi es at the end of autumn and attains its peak when maize (Zea mays) crop, one of its favorite food, is at ripening stage (Ali et al 2017, Kazmi et al 2019Zahoor et al 2021c; Zahoor et al 2021d). People using maize grains as a staple food source and other vegetal parts as fodder for livestock (Zahoor et al, 2021c) come in con ict with black bear during crop raiding.…”

“…Zea mays) starts to ripen, black bears movements increase out of the forest usually at night that leads to exponential increase in the rate of con icts(Ali et al 2017;Kazmi et al 2019;Zahoor et al 2021c). The results of the camera traps indicated that black bears resumed their activity from late April that gradually increased with time.…”

“…Thus, insu cient Quercus spp.inside the forest is likely to make Asiatic black bears switch over its activities out of the forests in autumn. (ii) Maize crop is much nutritious, and milky in nature(Zahoor et al 2021c) and its ripening in September attracts black bears to reside at the fringes of forest, from where they could raid nearby maize crop elds easily. Beside Quercus spp Zahoor et al (2021d).…”

“…2012;Bashir et al 2018). However, it often involves in the livestock depredation and crop raiding in summer and autumn seasons(Chauhan, 2003;Waseem et al 2020; Yadav et al 2009;Zahoor et al 2021c). On the beginning of autumn season, when maize crop (forest was usually pre-hibernation phase (i.e., summer and autumn) when surplus food is available in the form of fruits, green vegetation and nuts(Hashimoto 2002; Hwang and Garshelis 2007; Sathyakumar et al 2013; Zahoor et al 2021a).…”