Distribution, population, and habitat utilization of Alectoris chukar in district Malakand Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

A study was conducted to collect information about the distribution, population, presence and habitat utilization of Alectoris chukar in District Malakand. Surveys were usually scheduled early in the morning (4 to 7 AM) and at evening (5 to 10 PM). The areas, which Alectoris chukar occupied, had dominant vegetation of Acacia arabica, Acacia modesta, Pinus wallichiana, Pinus roxburghii, Dodonaea viscosa, Dilbergiasisso, Ailanthus altissima, Melia azedarach, Celtis eriocarpa and grasses. The destruction of habitat (by overgrazing, grass cutting and landslides) hunting, shooting, capturing, dynamite, digging and road construction were the major threat to existing wildlife including Alectoris chukar.