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Population structure and distribution pattern of
barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) in margalla hills
National park,
Pakistan
ABSTRACT
 The belt transect sampling of the
population of the barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) over some 71 km2 of the
favorable habitat in Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan (western
extremities of Lesser Himalayas), during winter 2004-05 suggests that an
estimated population of 86 is distributed in southern slopes with an average
density of 1.21+0.14/km2 (range 0.80 - 1.45).The population exhibits a growth rate of
4.14% per annum (1971 and 1991) and 1.94% (1991 and 2005). This population
exhibits a sex ratio of 1.45 (female/male) and a fawn/female ratio of 0.25.
The majority of the sightings (64.29%) are singles and 35.71% in groups of
two (two females 10%, male-female 20%, female-fawn 70%). The deer habitat
has reasonably good plant diversity (35 species). The population density appears to increase
with the increasing altitude, plant diversity and herb/grass cover. The
maximum density appears at medium tree cover (19%) and shrub cover has no
effect on density.
Population Structure and  Distribution pattern of Barking Deer
(Muntiacus muntjak)
     
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