Punjab First Wildlife Survey Reveals Surprising Animal Population Numbers

Punjab's first comprehensive provincial wildlife survey has recorded 5, 128 Punjab urials, 1, 276 chinkaras and 540 Indus River dolphins, along with thousands of birds, reptiles and amphibians throughout the province, according to initial findings.

Key points

• Among bird species, the survey counted 92, 636 grey francolins, 40, 526 black francolins, 6, 052 chukars, 1, 821 houbara bustards, 345 vultures and 49 kalij pheasants.
• The findings additionally include 7, 600 skittering frogs, 1, 070 Bengal monitor lizards, 720 Indian softshell turtles, 85 Indian cobras, 78 saw-scaled vipers and 22 Indian rock pythons.
• The project is being carried out jointly by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Pakistan and the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department.
• Hassan continued that the preparation of Pakistan's first Red Data Book is part of the project and is anticipated to be completed by 2028.
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Notably, the survey additionally recorded 160 blue bulls, 138 hog deer and 93 blackbucks. Nevertheless, the complete and final findings have not yet been officially issued for public access.

Among bird species, the survey counted 92, 636 grey francolins, 40, 526 black francolins, 6, 052 chukars, 1, 821 houbara bustards, 345 vultures and 49 kalij pheasants. KP Recommends 50 More Names for Civil Awards.

For context, the findings additionally include 7, 600 skittering frogs, 1, 070 Bengal monitor lizards, 720 Indian softshell turtles, 85 Indian cobras, 78 saw-scaled vipers and 22 Indian rock pythons.

Meanwhile, a number of plant species, including shisham, kikar, peepal, phulai, pilu and kava, were additionally documented as part of the survey.

Notably, the project is being carried out jointly by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Pakistan and the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department. It was formally introduced in Lahore in April 2025 with an estimated cost of Rs. 530 million.

IUCN Pakistan Project Manager Asim Jamal remarked the project seeks to scientifically assess the population, distribution, habitats and threats faced by wildlife and plant species throughout Punjab.

While the preparation of a Red Data Book based on the survey findings is additionally a key component of the project, he remarked the collected data would provide a reliable scientific basis for future conservation policies.

Project Director Wildlife Rangers Mudassar Hassan remarked preparations for the second phase of the survey are underway. Diseases Emerge in Low-Lying Areas of Rawalpindi, Islamabad After Rain.

While the collected data will be further verified and refined in the coming years, according to Hassan, the first phase focused on conducting a wildlife census.

He remarked factors such as the migration and movement patterns of different species would be considered during the verification process. The data would subsequently be aligned with the requirements of the IUCN Red List.

Modern technologies, including GPS, camera traps, drones and Geographic Information System (GIS), were applied to conduct the survey. The collected information is additionally being preserved in a digital database. Obtain the latest news and stories wherever you prefer.

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Taken together, the developments around punjab First Wildlife Survey Reveals Surprising Animal Population Numbers point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.