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Eurasian/Himalayan
Lynx
(Lynx lynx isabellinus)
STATUS
OF THE HIMALAYAN LYNX IN DISTRICT CHITRAL, NWFP,
PAKISTAN
Jaffar. U. Din and M. A.
Nawaz*
Snow Leopard Trust, Pakistan Program, House:
15-A, Street- 21, F-7/2, Islamabad *Department
of Wildlife and Ecology, University of
Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore
Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
The Eurasian lynx, listed Near Threatened in
IUCN Red List, has one of the widest ranges of
all cat species. Its Himalayan populations are
known to be distributed in northern Pakistan,
including Chitral district. However, actual
status of the species and its real distribution
limits are not known in Pakistan. This study
provides an assessment of the status and
distribution of the Himalayan Lynx in Chitral
District, NWFP along with intensity of its
conflicts with humans. Lynx occurrence was
confirmed through public reports and livestock
depredation cases were documented in five
tehsils of the district. One hundred and
sixty-four reports of lynx occurrence and 214
incidents of livestock depredation were recorded
from 2001-2008 in an area of 14,850km2 of the
district. Highest reports were from the Mastuj
and lowest from the Torkhow tehsil. Livestock
especially sheep lambs and goat kids were the
major victims of lynx attack followed by
poultry. This livestock loss means an economic
hardship for the poor communities, thus, is a
major source of human-cat conflicts. The prime
threats to the existence of carnivores were
retaliatory .
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