Abstract:
Many game reserves have been set up to protect game birds, wildlife, and other natural resources in Pakistan. However, assessing the conservation threats of species is crucial to implement effective conservation measures. In the current study, we first evaluated population density and key threats to game birds in ten game reserves in the district Mansehra. Second, we investigated whichthreat is the key factorinfluencingthe density of game birds. The study was conducted from 2018-2020 and the population density of game birds in the long-term monitoring plots was collected using the line transect method. Data about key threats to game birds were collected via a questionnaire. For this, we approachedexperienced local management staff of wildlife and reservesto rate threat levels for game birds in connection with seven categories: overgrazing, forest management, urbanization, leisure, climate change, hunting, and forest fire. In total, we found four species of partridges in the ten game reserves of the district Mansehra: the Black partridge (Francolinus francolinus), the Chukar (Alectoris
chukar), the Grey partridge (Francolinus pondicerianus), and the Quail (Coturnix coturnix). All ten game reserves have been found to have the Black partridges and the Grey partridges, however, only five game reserves have the Chukar and the Quail. Additionally, the density of each species varies among different reserves. Parhena game reserve has a greater overall density of game birds followed by Sheikhabad. While Krair game reserve possesses the highest but similar density of Black partridges and Grey partridges 7.2 ± 4.2 birds/km2. However, among the ten game reserves only Parhena game reserve possesses the highest density of the Chukar and the Quail 9.8 ± 5.7 birds/km2 and 16.53 ± 9.8 birds/km2 respectively. According to expert opinion, the top four risks to the reserves are climate change (CC), urbanization (UR), leisure (LE), and fire (FF). The overall analysis of multiple regression indicates that key threats negatively influence the density of ame birdsexcept for forest management, leisure, and climate change. Intercept, estimate 1428.78, SE, 668.69, overgrazing, estimate, -691.38, SE,425.34, forest management, estimate,253.61, SE, 154.40,urbanization, estimate -18.62, SE 83.85, leisure,estimate 1064.05, 530.84, climate change, 71.34, SE, 231.25, hunting, estimate -420.92, SE 264.48, and forest fire, estimate, -324.27, SE155.54. This is the first study that covers all game species, their population density, and key threats. Based on our results we urge more monitoring of illegal activities, conservation awareness programs, and improved habitat management in order to safeguard fewer of these species of game birds.