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Balkasar Bear Sanctuary

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Balkasar Bear Sanctuary , established in 2010 by Fakhar-i-Abbas of CBR , is an animal sanctuary in Balkassar , Chakwal District , Punjab , Pakistan . The sanctuary provides a retirement and rehabilitation home, and veterinary care for rescued bears from bear-baiting events. It houses the endangered species of Asian black bears and Himalayan brown bears . Balkasar Bear Sanctuary also has ornithology and herpetology research stations.

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47-704: In 2000, Kund Bear Sanctuary was established by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) through the efforts of Fakhar Abbas , president of WSPA member society Bioresource Research Centre (BRC). The park was a retirement and rehabilitation home to the rescued bears, who could never adapt to life in the wild, because as tame bears they are without teeth. "When our monitoring work officially started in 2003 there were around 300 bears used for baiting. Now, by our recent estimates, there are only around 70 left," said Abbas. With construction planning beginning in 2009, it

94-725: A molecular phylogenetic study by Carey Krajewski and collaborators that was published in 2010. Grey crowned crane ( Balearica regorum ) Black crowned crane ( Balearica pavonina ) Siberian crane ( Leucogeranus leucogeranus ) Sandhill crane ( Antigone canadensis ) White-naped crane ( Antigone vipio ) Brolga ( Antigone rubicunda ) Sarus crane ( Antigone antigone ) Wattled crane ( Grus carunculata ) Blue crane ( Grus paradisea ) Demoiselle crane ( Grus virgo ) Red-crowned crane ( Grus japonensis ) Whooping crane ( Grus americana ) Common crane ( Grus grus ) Hooded crane ( Grus monacha ) Black-necked crane ( Grus nigricollis ) The fossil record of cranes

141-625: A crane digging for them remains in place for some time digging and then expanding a hole to prise them out of the soil. In contrast both to this and the stationary wait and watch hunting methods employed by many herons, they forage for insects and animal prey by slowly moving forwards with their heads lowered and probing with their bills. Where more than one species of cranes exists in a locality, each species adopts separate niches to minimise competition. At one important lake in Jiangxi Province in China,

188-455: A large proportion of cranes that are not territorial, breeding pairs. The cranes are diurnal birds that vary in their sociality by season and location. During the breeding season , they are territorial and usually remain on their territory all the time. In contrast in the non-breeding season, they tend to be gregarious, forming large flocks to roost, socialize, and in some species feed. Sarus Crane breeding pairs maintain territories throughout

235-553: A much wider range of trophic levels. Some crane species such as the Common/ Eurasian crane use a kleptoparasitic strategy to recover from temporary reductions in feeding rate, particularly when the rate is below the threshold of intake necessary for survival. Accumulated intake of during daytime shows a typical anti-sigmoid shape, with greatest increases of intake after dawn and before dusk. Cranes are perennially monogamous breeders, establishing long-term pair bonds that may last

282-611: A sixth. Australia, Europe, and North America have two regularly occurring species each. Of the four crane genera, Balearica (two species) is restricted to Africa, and Leucogeranus (one species) is restricted to Asia; the other two genera, Grus (including Anthropoides and Bugeranus ) and Antigone , are both widespread. Many species of cranes are dependent on wetlands and grasslands, and most species nest in shallow wetlands. Some species nest in wetlands, but move their chicks up onto grasslands or uplands to feed (while returning to wetlands at night), whereas others remain in wetlands for

329-403: Is Γερανος ( geranos ), which gives us the cranesbill , or hardy geranium. The crane was a bird of omen. In the tale of Ibycus and the cranes, a thief attacked Ibycus (a poet of the sixth century BCE) and left him for dead. Ibycus called to a flock of passing cranes, which followed the attacker to a theater and hovered over him until, stricken with guilt, he confessed to the crime. Pliny

376-435: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Crane (bird) See text Cranes are a type of large bird with long legs and necks in the biological family Gruidae of the order Gruiformes . The family has 15 species placed in four genera which are Antigone , Balearica , Leucogeranus , and Grus . They are large birds with long necks and legs, a tapering form, and long secondary feathers on

423-405: Is either acoustic with both birds performing the unison call, or more rarely, physical with attacks usually by the male. Because of this, females are much less likely to retain the territory than males in the event of the death of a partner. Rarely, breeding territorial crane pairs allow a third crane into the territory to form polygynous or polyandrous trios that improves the chances of survival of

470-462: Is incomplete. Apparently, the subfamilies were well distinct by the Late Eocene (around 35 mya ). The present genera are apparently some 20 mya old. Biogeography of known fossil and the living taxa of cranes suggests that the group is probably of ( Laurasian ?) Old World origin. The extant diversity at the genus level is centered on (eastern) Africa , although no fossil record exists from there. On

517-443: Is the position and length of the trachea . In the two crowned cranes, the trachea is shorter and only slightly impressed upon the bone of the sternum , whereas the trachea of the other species are longer and penetrate the sternum. In some species, the entire sternum is fused to the bony plates of the trachea, and this helps amplify the crane's calls , allowing them to carry for several kilometres. The family name Gruidae comes from

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564-570: Is usually timed to coincide with the wet or monsoon seasons. Artificial sources of water such as irrigation canals and irregular rainfall can sometimes provide adequate moisture to maintain wetland habitat outside the normal wet season, and allows for occasional aseasonal nesting throughout the year in few tropical species. Territory sizes also vary depending on location. Tropical species can maintain very small territories, for example sarus cranes in India can breed on territories as small as one hectare where

611-459: The Siberian crane was moved to the resurrected monotypic genus Leucogeranus , while the sandhill crane, the white-naped crane, the sarus crane, and the brolga were moved to the resurrected genus Antigone . Some authorities recognize the additional genera Anthropoides (for the demoiselle crane and blue crane ) and Bugeranus (for the wattled crane ). The following cladogram is based on

658-406: The Siberian cranes feed on the mudflats and in shallow water, the white-naped cranes on the wetland borders, the hooded cranes on sedge meadows, and the last two species also feed on the agricultural fields along with the common cranes. In Australia, where Sarus Cranes live alongside Brolgas, they have different diets: Sarus Cranes' diet consisted of diverse vegetation, while Brolga diet spanned

705-713: The 22 pairs studied remained together for an 11-year period. Of the pairs that separated, 53% was due to the death of one of the pair, 18% was due to divorce, and the fate of 29% of pairs was unknown. Similar results had been found by acoustic monitoring (sonography/frequency analysis of duet and guard calls) in three breeding areas of common cranes in Germany over 10 years. Cranes are territorial and generally seasonal breeders. Seasonality varies both between and within species, depending on local conditions. Migratory species begin breeding upon reaching their summer breeding grounds, between April and June. The breeding season of tropical species

752-470: The Elder wrote that cranes would appoint one of their number to stand guard while they slept. The sentry would hold a stone in its claw, so that if it fell asleep, it would drop the stone and waken. A crane holding a stone in its claw is a well-known symbol in heraldry , and is known as a crane in its vigilance. Notably, however, the crest of Clan Cranstoun depicts a sleeping crane still in vigilance and holding

799-461: The area is of sufficient quality and disturbance by humans is minimal. Even in areas with a high density of humans, in the absence of directed persecution, species like Sarus Crane maintain territories as small as 5 ha when agricultural crops and landscape conditions are suitable. In contrast, red-crowned crane territories may require 500 hectares, and pairs may defend even larger territories than that, up to several thousand hectares. Territory defence

846-413: The diet varies by location, season, and availability. Within the wide range of items consumed, some patterns are suggested but require specific investigation to confirm; the shorter-billed species usually feed in drier uplands, while the longer-billed species feed in wetlands. Cranes employ different foraging techniques for different food types and in different habitats. Tubers and rhizomes are dug for and

893-400: The entirety of the breeding season. Even the demoiselle crane and blue crane, which may nest and feed in grasslands (or even arid grasslands or deserts), require wetlands for roosting at night. The Sarus Crane in south Asia is unique in having a significant breeding population using agricultural fields to breed in areas alongside very high density of humans and intensive farming , largely due to

940-411: The exception of Antarctica and South America . Some species and populations of cranes migrate over long distances; others do not migrate at all. Cranes are solitary during the breeding season, occurring in pairs, but during the non-breeding season, most species are gregarious, forming large flocks where their numbers are sufficient. They are opportunistic feeders that change their diets according to

987-506: The forest species is thought to help them maintain a less conspicuous profile while nesting; two of these species (the common and sandhill cranes ) also daub their feathers with mud which some observers suspect helps them to hide while nesting. Most crane species have bare patches of skin on their heads and can expand the patches in order to communicate aggression. Species lacking these bare patches use specialized feather tufts to signal similar information. Also important to communication

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1034-480: The genus Grus , this genus name is obtained from the epithet of the common crane which is Ardea grus , it is named by Carl Linnaeus from the Latin word grus meaning "crane". The 15 living species of cranes are placed in four genera . A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2010 found that the genus Grus , as then defined, was polyphyletic . In the resulting rearrangement to create monophyletic genera,

1081-605: The heaviest is the red-crowned crane , which can weigh 12 kg (26 lb) prior to migrating. They are long-legged and long-necked birds with streamlined bodies and large, rounded wings. The males and females do not vary in external appearance, but males tend to be slightly larger than females. The plumage of cranes varies by habitat. Species inhabiting vast, open wetlands tend to have more white in their plumage than do species that inhabit smaller wetlands or forested habitats, which tend to be more grey. These white species are also generally larger. The smaller size and colour of

1128-400: The largest and the only male brown bear at the sanctuary, required little treatment before his release. Shabnam was also released soon, but Pari was kept longer in the quarantine zone because of her injured paw. On night of July 29, 2012, a few days after her release into the enclosure, Pari was presumably bitten by a poisonous snake and died the latter morning, which saddened the staff. Around

1175-452: The least classified as threatened, if not critically endangered. The plight of the whooping cranes of North America inspired some of the first US legislation to protect endangered species . Cranes are very large birds, often considered the world's tallest flying birds. They range in size from the demoiselle crane , which measures 90 cm (35 in) in length, to the sarus crane , which can be up to 176 cm (69 in), although

1222-494: The lifetime of the birds. Pair bonds begin to form in the second or third years of life, but several years pass before the first successful breeding season. Initial breeding attempts often fail, and in many cases, newer pair bonds dissolve (divorce) after unsuccessful breeding attempts. Pairs that are repeatedly successful at breeding remain together for as long as they continue to do so. In a study of sandhill cranes in Florida, seven of

1269-664: The most due to their loud duet calls that can be used to distinguish individual pairs. Sarus crane trios produce synchronized unison calls called "triets" whose structure is identical to duets of normal pairs, but have a lower frequency. The cranes consume a wide range of food, both animal and plant matter. When feeding on land, they consume seeds, leaves, nuts and acorns, berries, fruit, insects, worms, snails, small reptiles, mammals, and birds. In wetlands and agriculture fields, roots, rhizomes, tubers, and other parts of emergent plants, other molluscs, small fish, eggs of birds and amphibians are also consumed, as well. The exact composition of

1316-535: The other hand, it is peculiar that numerous fossils of Ciconiiformes are documented from there; these birds presumably shared much of their habitat with cranes back then already. Cranes are sister taxa to Eogruidae , a lineage of flightless birds; as predicted by the fossil record of true cranes, eogruids were native to the Old World. A species of true crane, Antigone cubensis , has similarly become flightless and ratite-like. Fossil genera are tentatively assigned to

1363-565: The pair's chicks. Trios of Sarus cranes were seen largely in marginal habitats and third birds were young suggesting that third cranes would benefit by gaining experience. The cranes' beauty and spectacular mating dances have made them highly symbolic birds in many cultures with records dating back to ancient times. Crane mythology can be found in cultures around the world, from India to the Aegean , Arabia , China , Korea , Japan , Australia , and North America. The Sanskrit epic poet Valmiki

1410-585: The positive attitudes of farmers towards the cranes. In Australia, the Brolga occurs in the breeding areas of Sarus Cranes in Queensland state, and they achieve sympatry by using different habitats. Sarus Cranes in Queensland largely live in Eucalyptus -dominated riverine, while most Brolgas use non-wooded regional ecosystems that include vast grassland habitats. The only two species that do not always roost in wetlands are

1457-441: The present-day subfamilies: Gruinae Sometimes considered Balearicinae Sometimes considered Gruidae incertae sedis The cranes have a cosmopolitan distribution , occurring across most of the world continents. They are absent from Antarctica and, mysteriously, South America. East Asia has the highest crane diversity, with eight species, followed by Africa, which is home to five resident species and wintering populations of

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1504-452: The quarantine zone of the sanctuary, where they received treatment. In January 2012, Milla and Shama were released from the quarantine zone into their enclosure shared with Nita. Lala was released in early May 2012 after receiving treatment for her muzzle . Three more bears were rescued in May 2012, a male Himalayan brown bear named Reech and two female Asian black bears Shabnam and Pari. Reech, now

1551-510: The rock in its raised claw. Aristotle describes the migration of cranes in the History of Animals , adding an account of their fights with Pygmies as they wintered near the source of the Nile . Battles between cranes and dwarf peoples, or geranomachy, is a widespread motif of antiquity and come from China and Arabia at least from the fifth century. Aristotle describes as untruthful an account that

1598-540: The same date, three more rescued female Asian black bears, Rene, Sihu and Zilla, were brought to the sanctuary and released into their enclosures after treatment in August 2012. In late August 2012, two more female Asian black bears, Robin and Yarrow, were rescued and brought to the Balkasar Bear Sanctuary. They were released into their enclosure after veterinary care in early November 2012. The following bears live in

1645-421: The sanctuary lost when the water rose as high as 60 feet above river level." By early August 2010, it was reported that Babu, Sohrab and Maylu, three of the bears that were housed at Kund Park, were rescued from the flooded area and safely transported to the new sanctuary at Balkasar which was still very much under construction. This article on a zoo , aquarium , safari park , dolphinarium , or aviary

1692-500: The sanctuary, listed in order of induction: Kund Park Kund Park (also known as Kund Bear Park ), established in 2000, is an animal theme park located in Nowshera , Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , Pakistan . The park is a conservation center and sanctuary for Asian black bears and Himalayan brown bears . It also houses leopards as well as various species of cranes , deer , ducks , parrots , peafowls and pheasants . The park

1739-543: The sanctuary, they received necessary medical care. In September 2011, three Asian black bears were rescued from Muzaffargarh and brought to Balkasar Bear Sanctuary. The males, Sawan and Azad, died while in medical care. Post-mortem analysis showed that the former died because of heart failure while latter died due to liver failure . The only female, Nita, survived her fellows and was released into her enclosure after treatment. In October 2011, three more female Asian black bears, Lala, Milla and Shama, were rescued and brought to

1786-441: The season and their own nutrient requirements. They eat a range of items from small rodents , eggs of birds, fish , amphibians , and insects to grain and berries . Cranes construct platform nests in shallow water, and typically lay a clutch of two eggs at a time. Both parents help to rear the young, which remain with them until the next breeding season. Most species of cranes have been affected by human activities and are at

1833-401: The two African crowned cranes ( Balearica ), which are the only cranes to roost in trees. Some crane species are sedentary, remaining in the same area throughout the year, while others are highly migratory , traveling thousands of kilometres each year from their breeding sites. A few species like Sarus Cranes have both migratory and sedentary populations, and healthy sedentary populations have

1880-565: The wild because as tame bears, they are without teeth. “We’re the victims of our own success,” said Abbas. “When our monitoring work officially started in 2003 there were around 300 bears used for baiting. Now, by our recent estimates, there are only around 70 left.” In 2010, the first of the many enclosures for a new planned Balkasar Bear Sanctuary was finished, which was aimed to provide a more "natural" environment for bears to live. In late July, 2010 Pakistan floods resulted in severe damage at Kund Park. As many as 23 bears that were living in

1927-401: The wing that project over the tail. Most species have muted gray or white plumages, marked with black, and red bare patches on the face, but the crowned cranes of the genus Balearica have vibrantly-coloured wings and golden "crowns" of feathers. Cranes fly with their necks extended outwards instead of bent into an S-shape and their long legs outstretched. Cranes live on most continents, with

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1974-620: The year in south Asia, and non-breeding birds live in flocks that can also be seen throughout the year. Large aggregations of cranes likely increase safety for individual cranes when resting and flying and also increase chances for young unmated birds to meet partners. Cranes are highly vocal and have several specialized calls . The vocabulary begins soon after hatching with low, purring calls for maintaining contact with their parents, as well as food-begging calls. Other calls used as chicks include alarm calls and "flight intention" calls, both of which are maintained into adulthood. Cranes are noticed

2021-459: Was established by World Society for the Protection of Animals (Now known as World Animal Protection ) after efforts of Fakhar Abbas , president of WSPA member society, Bioresource Research Centre (BRC). Kund 'Bear' Park served as a home for an Asian black bear confiscated from a bear baiting event following the enforcement of the ban in 2001. By December 2004, the park was a retirement home to seven rescued bears, who could never adapt to life in

2068-531: Was in 2010 when the first of many enclosures for a new planned sanctuary in Balkasar was finished. It aimed to provide a more "natural" environment for bears to live. In late July 2010, heavy flooding resulted in severe damage at Kund Park in Nowshera . As many as 23 bears that were living in the Kund Park sanctuary went lost when the water rose as high as 60 feet (18 m) above river level. By early August 2010, it

2115-477: Was inspired to write the first śloka couplet by the pathos of seeing a male sarus crane shot while dancing with its mate. In Mecca , in pre-Islamic Arabia, Allāt , Uzza , and Manāt were believed to be the three chief goddesses of Mecca, they were called the "three exalted cranes" ( gharaniq , an obscure word on which 'crane' is the usual gloss ). See The Satanic Verses for the best-known story regarding these three goddesses. The Greek for crane

2162-467: Was kept in quarantine for veterinary care. She was named Chowti, meaning "fourth", and became the fourth resident at the sanctuary. In January 2011, two female Himalayan brown bears , Bhoori and Leela, and a female Asian black bear, Kaali, were rescued from a village in Layyah District . WSPA reported that the owners had accepted the alternative livelihood package. Once Bhoori, Leela and Kaali got to

2209-486: Was reported that Babu, Sohrab and Maylu, three of the Asian black bears that were housed at Kund Park, were rescued from the flooded area and safely transported to a new sanctuary at Balkasar which was still very much under construction. In late 2010, a severely injured female Asian black bear was rescued after she was forced to fight dogs in a bear-baiting event by her owner Fida Hussain. The bear went blind due to her injuries and

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