No abstract

Despite being classified as critically endangered, little work has been done on leopard protection in Pakistan. Once widely present throughout this region, leopards are now sparsely distributed, and possibly extinct from much of their previously recorded habitat. While leopards show morphological and genetic variation across their species range worldwide, resulting in the classification of nine different subspecies, the leopard genetic structure across Pakistan is unknown, with previous studies including only a very limited sampling. To clarify the genetic status of leopards in Pakistan we investigated the sequence variation in the subunit 5 of the mitochondrial gene NADH from 43 tissue samples and compared it with 238 sequences available from online databases. Phylogenetic analysis clearly separates the Pakistani leopards from the African and Arabian clades, confirming that leopards from Pakistan are members of the Asian clade. Furthermore, we identified two separate subspecies haplotypes within our dataset: P. p. fusca (N = 23) and P. p. saxicolor (N = 12).

Authors' Contributions AHF presented the main idea of research. FA arranged the funding and supervised the research. MH did statistical analysis. LZF conducted lab work.

No abstract

Pythons are facing the threat of extinction due to pernicious activities of humans and their interference in the natural habitat of pythons. The Indian rock python (Python molurus) has been stated as Lower Risk/Near Threatened by International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Therefore, it is essential to change the perception of people to encourage a positive symbiosis of pythons and humans. Current study involved the rescue and rehabilitation of an Indian rock python (P. molurus) spotted at the shrine of Baba Shah Jeevan, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The Python was grasped by skilled snake catchers and taken to the wildlife sanctuary in Balkasar Research Complex, Chakwal, Pakistan for the purpose of conservation. The python was kept in a cage designed for reptiles (especially for snakes) with proper soil bed and shelter. Proper hygienic conditions were maintained in the cage with climbing structures for the python and an adult chicken was fed to it every week. After rescuing, the python was force-fed, however the natural feeding behavior of constriction and killing of prey was resumed by it after a few weeks. Rescue, rehabilitation and release of pythons creates a cooperative environment between pythons and humans instead of a conflict-oriented symbiosis, ultimately decreasing the risk of population decline of large snakes.