ETHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF A SELECTED SPECIES (AXIS PRONICUS) UNDER CAPTIVE CONDITIONS FROM VEHARI PUNJAB PAKISTAN

Abstract

Management practices/strategies to re-modulate the wild behaviour of animal species could increase their number in natural areas. The behavioral adaptations of selected specie of  Axis Pronicus were studied in zoo in Vehari, Punjab Pakistan using different strategies from January to March at different temperatures (morning to evening) and time intervals to understand the captive behavioural changes due to environmental pressure or stress. And to find out the reasons, Why this animal going towards extinction? And make different recommendations, plains and strategies to protect animal from being extinct. Hog deer belong to the family Cervidae (spotted deer). Male has branched antlers while female do not have antlers. Male antlers shaded annually and new developed. Female give birth to young one after 8 months. Breeding season of hog deer is March, April, and October. Adults 4 males, 9 females and 5 fawns were chosen for research purpose. Different behavior were studied such as feeding, grooming, resting, foraging, territorial, walking, running and mating behaviors. The mean values of selected specie of Axis pronicus (male) for these behaviours (feeding, grooming, moving, resting and mating) were 2.666, 0.333, 2.666, 1.333 and 0.333 respectively. The confidence level of these behaviours changes ( feeding , grooming , moving , resting and mating ) was 3.794, 1.434, 5.736, 5.736 and 1.434 respectively. The mean values of selected specie of Axis pronicus (female) for these behaviours (feeding, grooming, moving, resting and mating) were 10, 0.333, 10.666, 4.333 and 0.333 respectively. The confidence level of these behaviours changes (feeding, grooming, moving, resting and mating) was 15.513, 1.434, 12.74, 12.747 and 1.434 respectively. By using different tools and method we noticed these behaviors (like producing sounds by different means such as whistle and providing different kind of feed and cues). Mostly the adults were active during day time in morning and show resting behaviour in the afternoon. Fawns were less active as compare to adults. Males show less parental care as comparison to female. By studying wild behaviour of animal we protect animal from extinction. We try to provide natural environment to notice the actual behavior of the animal in captive conditions. There is need to examine that how limited space and altered activity patterns affect breeding behaviors, fertility rates, and cub survival rates in zoo populations.