Desert hare

Abstract: Our aim to establish the metal (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn) levels of wild mammalian scat samples deriving from sanctuaries of Western Rajasthan and compare the concentrations between Desert National Park, Jaisalmer and Gajner Wildlife sanctuary, Bikaner. Restrictions on the sampling because of Wildlife Protection Act (1972) prevents taking of samples of living tissues to analyse body burdens of contaminants that the wildlife may be carrying. According to our results the concentrations of metals (µg/g (ppm) dry weight) in fecal samples were in the range of 1.02 to 1.88 (Pb), 0.90 to 1.49 (Cd), 1.14 to 1.69 (Cr), 0 to 34.3 (Cu) and 0 to 25.53 (Zn) in DNP whereas in Gajner it was in range between 0.40 to 2.17 (Pb), 0.96 to 2.6 (Cd), 4.44 to 9.9 (Cr), 3.63 to 22.23 (Cu) and 4.61 to 10.15 (Zn). Background concentration in Soil, vegetation samples were also analysed . Detail data on contamination is presented in this paper. Wildlife sanctuaries, Desert National Park (DNP), Jaisalmer., and Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, Bikaner., are situated in western Rajasthan. Desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar desert and its divers fauna. An area of 3162 sq kms and is situated 45 kms south-west from Jaisalmer. The major landform consists of craggy rocks and compact salt bottoms. The average rainfall is 100mm or less and the maximum temperature is 47 - 48 °C, minimum is 0 - 2 °C. In DNP, the vegetation is of xerophytic nature due to the dry, adverse climatic conditions. The chinkara, Gazella gazelle., Indian wolf, Canis lupus., desert cat, Felis libyca., desert fox, Vulpes vulpues., monitor lizard, Varanus griseus, and the rarest the great Indian bustard, Choriotis nigriceps., the spiny tailed lizard, Uromastrix hardwickii, more like phrehistoric animal, and desert hare, Lepus nigricollis dayanus, are the main animals. Gajner sanctuary is located at 27* 57 'N latitudes 73* 03 'E longitudes and 233 meter MSL altitude. It is situated about 25 kms south-west of Bikaner which covers an area of 38 sq kms and shows typical arid conditions; extreme high temperature, low annual rainfall, xerophytic vegetation and animals inhabiting the sanctuary are well adapted to desert conditions. Various methods were employed to assess and draw a concentration profile of a variety of pollutants that might reach the wildlife habitats and wildlife itself. In fact the human race in its selfish design has used wildlife species as biological indicators to study the ambient concentration of the toxicants in his own ecosystem, both urban and industrial. However, mammals, which are much closer to human beings, are rarely used. In one such study rats, captured from either side of the highways indicated that the body concentration of the lead was directly proportional to the distance from the highway (Way et al., 1982).

Abstract: In Pakistan, Lehri/Jindi evergreen open scrub forest is a characteristic habitat of critically or locally endangered species including Punjab urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis) and leopard (Panthera pardus), and the important game species desert hare (Lepus nigricollis), black francolin (Francolinus francolinus), grey francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus), see–see partridge (Ammoperdix griseogularis) and chukor partridge (Alectoris chukar). Four separate fenced enclosures were established to maintain captive Punjab urial population in a semi-wild state. Vegetation surveys were conducted through permanently laid quadrats to explore its impact on native flora in 1987–1992 before the fencing was installed and then 2003–2007 over a decade after the fencing was installed.

Abstract: La grossesse dans le lievre,Lepus nigricollis dayanus Blanford, n'a pas d'influence directe sur le poid des glandes surrenales. Le poid surrenal n'augmente pas la grossesse.