Hasina Ali and

Arshad Ali

Department of Biological Sciences

Karakoram International University

Gilgit- Baltistan

IntroductionObjectivesMaterials and MethodResults ConclusionRecommendationsAcknowledgement

Himalayan Ibex Wild animals plays an

important role in making food chain

Add beauty of an environment

Animal needs adequate resources so that their population not only survive but thrive (Nemgail 2009).

In past ages Himalayan Ibex is very common in all regions of Gilgit Baltistan.

Due to un control hunting Himalayan Ibex is only confined to some areas.

Due to conservational measures no of Ibex are increased in KNP.

Himalayan IbexIbex live in herdStructurally dimorphicInhabitant of high

elevationsPopulation size and

density place obvious constrain on maximal group size (Shackleton, 1984).

Population study is important to find viability of species.

No ungulates yet studied has remain constant in number due to fluctuation in conditions these fluctuations can effect the age distribution of the animals( Caughley, 1969).

Himalayan Ibex

ObjectivesStudy was made to achieve fallowing

goals Population size Population Distribution Population structure of Himalayan Ibex

Materials and MethodsStudy area: Khunjerab National Park

KNP was established in April 29, 1975.Main purpose of the establishment of the park was to conserve ruminant population of Marco polo sheep and IbexPark consist of three valleys •Khunjerab• Ghujerab•Shimshal

located 269 km from Gilgit in Gojal region between coordinates Longitude 74° 55’ E to 75° 57’ E and Latitude 36° 01’ N to 37° 02’ N.Total Area 6,150 square km(Khan, 2006).

Study area KNP

Research DesignWe conducted about three field surveys of the

area during spring, summer and autumn 2009.Line transect method was used in about 52km

area.Made 10 vantage points Used

• Binoculars• Spotting scope • GPS• Digital camera

Spotting by using spotting scope Himalayan Ibex herd at Dhee nullah

Materials and Methods

A herd of Himalayan Ibex

Results Number of Ibexes in different season in KNP

Habitat Spring Summer

Autum

n Elevation/m

Pamerchi

bridge o 0 0 3000

Dhee 26 0 0 3160

Karchanai 0 0 3 3272

Torqeen 50 0 0 3400

Burkhoon 0 0 0 3499

Arbab kook 8 0 0 3690

Boozgill 29 0 0 3700

Gozoosh 16 0 0 3800

Koksil 15 0 0 3918

Khunjerab Top 62 100 0 4530

.

General population of Ibex with respect to habitat

Habitat Total population

Pamerchi bridge 0

Dhee 26

Karchanai 3

Torqeen 50

Burkhoon 0

Arbab kook 8

Boozgill 29

Gozoosh 16

Koksil 15

Khunjerab Top 162

Population structure of Ibex during spring season

Habitat Male Female Yearling Kids

Pamerchi

bridge

0 0 0 0

Dhee 5 19 2 0

Karchanai 1 2 0 0

Torqeen 15 22 13 0

Burkhoon 0 0 0 0

Arbab kook 1 6 1 0

Boozgill 5 16 8 0

Gozoosh 4 10 2 0

Koksil 9 5 1 0

Khunjerab

Top

42 15 5 0

Population structure of Ibexes at different valleys of KNP during summer

Habitat Male Female Yearling Kids

Pamerchi

bridge

0 0 0 0

Dhee 0 0 0 0

Karchanai 0 0 0 0

Torqeen 0 0 0 0

Burkhoon 0 0 0 0

Arbab kook 0 0 0 0

Boozgill 0 0 0 0

Gozoosh 0 0 0 0

Koksil 0 0 0 0

Khunjerab

Top

31 45 11 13

Population structure of Ibex during autumn season

Habitat Male Female Yearlings Kids

Pamerchi bridge 0 0 0 0

Dhee 0 0 0 0

Karchanai 1 2 0 0

Torqeen 0 0 0 0

Burkhoon 0 0 0 0

Arbab kook 0 0 0 0

Boozgill 0 0 0 0

Gozoosh 0 0 0 0

Koksil 0 0 0 0

Khunjerab Top 0 0 0 0

Distribution of trophy size animals in KNP Habitat Spring Summer Autumn

Pamerchi bridge 0 0 0

Dhee 1 0 0

Karchanai 0 0 0

Torqeen 4 0 0

Burkhoon 0 0 0

Arbab kook 0 0 0

Boozgill 5 0 0

Gozoosh 0 0 0

Koksil 15 0 0

Khunjerab Top 20 0 0

Population structure of Ibex at KNP habitat wise:

Habitat Male Female Yearlings Kids Trophy

size

Pamerchi

bridge

0 0 0 0 0

Dhee 5 19 2 0 1

Karchanai 1 2 0 0 0

Torqeen 15 22 13 0 4

Burkhoon 0 0 0 0 0

Arbab kook 1 6 1 0 0

Boozgill 5 16 8 0 5

Gozoosh 4 10 2 0 0

Koksil 9 5 1 0 10

Khunjerab

Top

73 60 16 13 20

Total population structure of Himalayan Ibex season wise.

Season Males Females yearlings Kids Trophy

size

Spring 81 93 32 0 40

Summer 31 45 11 13 0

Autumn 1 2 0 0 0

ConclutionsIbex groups contains males, females, yearlings,

and trophy size.Although in the present study we observed

abundant number of Ibex in KNP, as the data shows that the number of kids are less this indicates population decline in future.

Other threats are increasing human and livestock population and destruction of habitat.

Population distribution of Ibex is greatly influenced by temperature variation.

Road construction and its impact on wildlife

Livestock grazing pressure

RecommendationsReduce grazing pressure by keeping livestock

away from the park.Decrease human interruption in the park.Establish breeding centers to increase Ibex

population in future.Awareness about importance of Ibex among

the community should be increased.

AcknowledgementWWF for financial assistance

Pakistan wetlands program

NUFU (HIMUNET) for financial assistance

Karkoram International University, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan