Pressure from hunting on crane species in southern districts of northern Pakistan

This study was carried out to assess the biological status of two crane species, the Common Crane (Grus grus L.) and the Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo L.), with respect to the hunting pressure in two southern districts of northern Pakistan, Bannu and Lakki. Field surveys, interviews and questionnaires were the major tools for data collection. We visited 165 hunting camps in the fall of 2008 and 85 in the spring of 2009 in the two districts. Of the hunters, most possessed wildlife permits for hunting and most people hunted for recreation. According to our survey, the population of two crane species is declining due to overhunting, destruction of natural habitats, anthropogenic activities and geographical factors. Suggestions for protection of the cranes are proposed.