The present study was conducted in the Kalabagh game reserve (KGR) from July 2015 to April 2016. The surveys were conducted with the help of managing and supporting staff from Kalabagh wildlife Foundation in order to know the diversity and various threats to amphibians and reptiles in the study area.
A total 23 species belonging to three orders, 16 families and 23 genera were recorded including six amphibians and 17 reptiles. Amphibians included one toad and five frogs whereas; reptiles included one turtle, ten lizard and six snake species. Three species out of the six recorded snakes are venomous rests all the amphibian and reptiles are non-venomous. All the recorded species were captured directly.
Amphibians were searched actively in their potential breeding areas and resting places like ponds, water channels and along streams during day and night. Simple hand nets or scoop nets were used for amphibian collection; however, calling males are best caught by hands. Hand picking through bare hands or with the help of long forceps or snake clutch has always been the most efficient way of collecting different reptiles. . Snakes were mostly collected using snake catcher and every snake being collected was considered as venomnous in order to avoid any mishap. Road-Killed snakes were also collected.
Following the specific criteria , two species were evaluated as Abundant, eight species as Common, and five species as Fair, one species as Rare and seven species as Occasional.
Out of the recorded 23 species, two reptiles were found among endemic species to Pakistan including one lizard; Salt range ground gecko and one snake; slender blind snake.
Six of the recorded 23 species are CITES Species with one species (Varanus bengalensis) is enlisted in Appendix I, while five species (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Lissemcieys punctata, Eryx johnii, Uromastyx hardwickii and Naja naja,) are enlisted in Appendix II of the CITES category 2016. The only one species Varanus bengalensis is having decreasing IUCN population trend.
There are some potential threats to herps in the study area. Some snakes that get trapped are killed by the local residents. The Spiny tailed lizard is also captured by some hunters for sale to local Hakeems to extract oil. Black cobra is captured by snake charmers to entertain people and for extraction of venom. The evidences reveal that the populations of various amphibians and reptiles including snakes in the study area are not facing any decline rather they are stable except spiny tailed lizard and Bengal monitor. Most of the recorded herps from the study area also occupy a vast distribution in the country. No crocodilians and tortoises are found in the study area. The existing herps include; frogs, toads, freshwater turtles, lizards and snakes.