Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 9(2): 403 - 406. Published September 2008.
Analysis of the diet of wild boar in Islamabad City, Pakistan
Shahid Hafeez*^ , Mazher Abbas** , Zahoor Husain Khan* and Ehsan-Ur-Rehman
*Department of Forestry, Range Management and Wildlife, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad,,Pakistan; **Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, Islamabad.
^Corresponding author email: shahid_frw@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Objective: To examine the stomach contents of wild boars (Sus scrofa cristatus) in Islamabad area of Pakistan.
Methodology and results: 117 wild boars were killed and their stomach contents examined. The contents correlated to the types of plants and other materials found at the feeding sites. The plant materials comprised 25.2% of total mass, 16% was animal mass, and 0.8% mud and 58% garbage matter. Wheat leaves dominated in the samples collected in December 2005 until March, when wheat grains became the major part of diet until July. Maize first appeared in the diet in March and was present until June. A small quantity of tree bark and leaves of Zizyphus (bari) were also present, while Mesquite was heavily consumed in June and July. Several grasses and weeds appeared prominently in the diet in August up to November. Garbage matter was present in the stomach throughout the year.
Conclusion and application of findings: The diet of wild boars in Islamabad comprises of a significant amount of plant food. The damage caused by wild boars to crop and forest plantations could be reduced if effective control measures are developed. Based on the findings of this study such alternative measures could be based on habitat management and diet manipulation.
Key words: wild boar, diet, Islamabad.
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