Population status and distribution pattern of Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus murghi) in Deva Vatala National Park,Azad Jammu & Kashmir,Pakistan: A pioneer study

A study was conducted during april- september,2008 to determine the abundance and distribution a study was conducted during april-september,2008 to determine the abundance and distribution of red jungle fowl (gallus gallus murghi) in deva vatala national park,azad jammu and kashmir. study area was divided in to four localities/sites: chhumb,deva,burmala and vatala. line transects and calling site counts methods were used to estimate the population of red jungle fowl at study sites. a total of 34 line transects were walked in study area. a population of 109 individuals of red jungle fowl was estimated in the study area for an overall density of 7.87 birds/km 2 . however,the bird density varied among the sites and was 6.07,6.25,8.75 and 15.63 birds/km 2 in chhumb,deva,burmala and vatala localities,respectively. red jungle fowl occupied densely vegetated,hilly areas between 350m and 415m elevation,especially areas with grassland habitat followed by habitats with zizyphus mauritiana and lantana camara as dominant vegetation. red jungle fowl seem to have pushed back into densely vegetated areas of the park mainly to avoid disturbance by local hunters,shepherds and grass cutters. results of this pioneer study are important for conservation planning for this important and beautiful species in deva vatala national park. copyright 2010 zoological society of pakistan.