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Small Kashmir Flying Squirrel (SKFS) Eoglaucomys fimbriatus (Gray, 1837) is a resident of thick forests in northern parts of Pakistan. The species faces many threats in Pakistan and is listed as vulnerable in Pakistan. A camera trapping study was carried out in the Musk Deer National Park (MDNP) from 11 May to 26 June 2014, with the main purpose to study the distribution of SKFS. A total of 40 trail cameras were deployed for 1,025 trap nights in different watersheds of the park territory. The species was photocaptured at seven stations during 11 capture events. The camera-trapping results showed that SKFS was present in the central and western parts of the park. The photo-captured history of the species shows nocturnal activity between 20:00 to 3:00 hrs. Based on photo-captured data, we assume that moon phases do not affect the activity of SKFS in MDNP. Rainfall had a negative impact, while the temperature was directly correlated with the species’ activity. Current research has helped to redefine this species’ range, as its presence was confirmed about 38 km from the IUCN nearest declared range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) historically occupied the vast mountain ranges of South and Central Asia. Their range has shrunken significantly in the past century and they currently live in small and isolated populations. Most of their range has not been surveyed; hence information on their distribution is largely based on anecdotal information and expert judgments. The present study investigated the species' current distribution in the Hindu Kush Range in Pakistan, gathering information on human-brown bear conflict along with other large carnivore species in the study area. Multiple survey techniques questionnaire surveys, sign surveys and camera trapping were used during the period 2008-2010 in five study blocks delineated on natural watersheds in Pakistan's Chitral district. Based on questionnaire surveys, sign surveys and direct sighting, Himalayan brown bear presence was confirmed only in the Yarkhun and Laspur valleys. Ninety-six respondents (59 from Laspur Valley and 37 from Broghil Valley) reported a total of 449 livestock losses (90 heads per year) to carnivore species--grey wolf (Canis lupus), snow leopard (Panthera pardus), Himalayan lynx (Lynx lynx isabellinus)--during the five-year (2005-2009) period, which translated into an economic loss of USD 34,297 (PKR 2,931,022); USD 357 (PKR 30,531) per household. Himalayan brown bear was not accounted for any livestock loss. Though the public was seen to be strongly against large carnivores, brown bear was considered 'less dangerous'. Despite limited conflict with humans, brown bear has lost a large part of its historical range in the Hindu Kush Range. The species is confined to the eastern valleys where it is maintaining connectivity with brown bear in Gilgit-Baltistan towards the east and with Afghan populations towards the west. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The snow leopard is one of the highly valued species from high-altitude mountain ecosystems of Central and Southeast Asia, including Pakistan. This keystone species is facing a myriad of conventional and emerging threats, including poaching and trade, that are poorly documented in Pakistan. To understand the dynamics and drivers of the poaching and trading of snow leopards in Pakistan, we investigated the issue in depth through a multifaceted survey in the snow leopard range of the country. We recorded 101 snow leopard poaching incidences from 11 districts during 2005--2017. The reported poaching incidences varied spatially (x̄ = 9 ± 2.6 [95% Cl: 3-15]) and temporally (x̄ = 7.8 ± 1.09) and accounted for 2-4% annual population loss (n = 200-420) in a period of 13 years. Poaching and trade together constituted 89% of the total incidence reported and animals were mostly shot (66%), poisoned (12%), snared (12%) and captured (4%), respectively. Only a fraction (3%) of the incidences were reported to the relevant law enforcement agencies. Trade routes included large cities and neighbouring countries, even the Middle East and Europe. The average base and end prices for each item were 245 ± 36 USD and 1,736 ± 520 USD, respectively, while maximum monetary fines set as per the law were 275 USD. Our results establish the need for developing multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms at regional, national and international levels and information sharing to curb this menace. Improving the existing laws and surveillance system, while taking the local communities onboard, will further help to this end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To observe pattern and variation of root morphology of maxillary 1st premolar teeth in orthodontic extraction cases among local population. Study Design: Prospective Observational study. Setting: Dental College-HITEC Institute of Medical SciencesTaxilla Cantt. Period: 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2019. Material & Methods: A total of 160 patients and 320 maxillary 1st premolars were studied clinically for gross root morphology after orthodontic tooth extraction, variation of gross root morphology was studied among extracted teeth, frequency distribution was observed on basis of gender and both quadrants in each patient, a critical analysis is also made about variation of root morphology among various populations across the world. Result: Out of 160 patients, 49 were males and 111 were females. 151 patients had bilateral similar root morphology, out of 320 clinically examined teeth 206 had two roots, and 123 teeth had fused root morphology, 83 teeth had two bifurcated (separate) roots while 114 teeth were single rooted. Conclusion: Maxillary 1st premolar is unique in terms of wide variation in root morphology which is evident among various population studies. Two roots with fused root morphology is most prevalent in Pakistani population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camera trapping, paired with analytical methods for estimating occupancy, abundance and other ecological parameters, can yield information with direct consequences for wildlife management and conservation. Although ecological information is the primary target of most camera trap studies, detectability influences every aspect from design to interpretation., Concepts and methods of time-to-event analysis are directly applicable to camera trapping, yet this statistical field has thus far been ignored as a way to analyse photographic capture data. To illustrate the use of time-to-event statistics and to better understand how photographic evidence accumulates, we explored patterns in two related measures of detectability: detection probability and time to detection. We analysed camera trap data for three sympatric carnivores (snow leopard, red fox and stone marten) in the mountains of northern Pakistan and tested predictions about patterns in detectability across species, sites and time., We found species-specific differences in the magnitude of detectability and the factors influencing it, reinforcing the need to consider determinants of detectability in study design and to account for them during analysis. Photographic detectability of snow leopard was noticeably lower than that of red fox, but comparable to detectability of stone marten. Site-specific attributes such as the presence of carnivore sign (snow leopard), terrain (snow leopard and red fox) and application of lures (red fox) influenced detectability. For the most part, detection probability was constant over time., Species-specific differences in factors determining detectability make camera trap studies targeting multiple species particularly vulnerable to misinterpretation if the hierarchical origin of the data is ignored. Investigators should consider not only the magnitude of detectability, but also the shape of the curve describing the cumulative process of photographic detection, as this has consequences for both determining survey effort and the selection of analytical models. Weighted time-to-event analysis can complement occupancy analysis and other hierarchical methods by providing additional tools for exploring camera trap data and testing hypotheses regarding the temporal aspect of photographic evidence accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on a camera trap study in Qurumber National Park in Pakistan that reveals the first photographic evidence of the Pallas' cat Otocolobus manul in Gilgit-Baltistan Province. Topics discussed include the Pallas' cat's distribution across Central Asia and Tibetan highlands, its listing as Near Thretened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, and the need for further studies targeting Pallas' cat in northern Pakistan's mountain system.