Feeding Behavior of Blackbuck, Chinkara and Spotted Deer in Captivity at Lal Sohanra National Park Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Abstract

Lal Suhanra National Park is one of the important protected areas of Pakistan. From many years endangered species of deer are being raised in captivity at Lal Suhanra National Park. In this study, we have observed the blackbuck, chinkara and spotted deer which are highly endangered. The the findings of study showed that blackbuck, chinkara and spotted deer eat daily any of the seasonal grasses like e.g., Maize (Zea mays), Jantar (Sesbania bisbinosa), Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) Bajra (Pennsietum glaucum) 4 to 6 kg, 3-5 kg and 4-5 kg respectively. Softened parts of the plants were also being eaten, which included Jandi (Prosopis spicigera), Kikar (Acacia sp.), Sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo), Lamb (Aristida depressa), Gorkha (Lasiurus hirsutus), Khawai (Cymbopogon jawarancusa), Murat (Panicum antidotale), Dhaman (Cenchrus pennisetiformis), Lana (Haloxylon recurvum), Ber (Zyziphus sp.), Katran (Cymbopogon martinii), Khiri (Euphorbia prostrata), Khip (Leptadenia pyrotechnica), Chag (Crotalaria burhia), Dele (Capparis decidua), Phel (Neslia sp.), Ghandeel (Eleusine flagillifera), Ak (Callotropis sp.) and Jal (Salvadora oleoides). While the all showed the similar amount of parched channa consumption. Softened plant parts of various species were also being given in their feeding. It is concluded that these species can live on the variety of fodders where the deer eat little amount of grass in a single day for survival as compared to other fodder types.