Introduction

Humans have long been fascinated by a myriad of animals around them. Besides performing several services for the ecosystems, these animal species are of source of direct monetary, health and aesthetic value. The Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries has embarked on a mission to produce quality human resource in this discipline. The department programs such as BS, MPhil and PhD through a blend of student-centered learning, quality teaching and problem-based research. The department comprises of learned faculty working on, but not limited to, Microbiology, Parasitology, Reproductive Physiology, Endocrinology, Developmental Biology, Animal Physiology, Environmental Biology, Animal genetics, Wildlife Management and Fisheries.

 

Pakistan contains some of the world's highest cold areas and lowest hot areas and many intermediate stages, resulting in a great diversity of ecological systems. This has resulted in a variety of habitat types, hosting rich and diversified wildlife species. Presently, 174 mammals, 668 birds, 177 reptiles, 22 amphibians and 198 freshwater and 788 marine fish species are reported in Pakistan. Pakistan is also inhabited by one of the world's smallest surviving mammals, the Mediterranean Pygmy Shrew and occasionally in its coastal waters, the largest mammal ever known to exist, the Blue Whale. Pakistan also has global importance due to its location on the flyway to Central Asia and Northern India. The birds breeding in Central and Northern Asia migrate via Afghanistan as well as higher parts of the Himalayas and usually follow Indus valley which provides ample food and favorable habitat for them. Hence, Pakistan provides winter refuge for millions of migratory ducks, geese, flamingoes, houbara bustard and other migratory bird species.

 

History

The Department of Zoology was under the umbrella of Biological Sciences till August 2003. The M.Sc, M.Phil and Ph.D degree programmes in Zoology were initially started in 1997, 2006 and 2001, respectively. The Department of Wildlife Management was initiated in 2007 and had been offering degrees in MSc, M.Phil and Ph.D up to 2020. The departments of Zoology and Wildlife Management have recently been merged as "Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries." The BS Zoology has been started in Fall, 2021 both morning and evening programs. At present all the faculty bears doctorate degree and majority of them did their post-docs from foreign esteemed institutions.

 

The department is coordinating research projects in collaboration with several local and international NGOs and with different international universities of North America and Europe.

 

Research Facilities

The well-equipped laboratories are engaged in contemporary research which integrates animals, environment and humans. Following facilities are available:

 

PCR Machine, Gel documentation system, Elisa reader, Laminar Flow, Horizontal gel electrophoresis, Water quality analyzers, Infra-Red motion-triggered Camera Traps, Radio- Telemetry (VHF) transmitters and receivers, PIT Tags, PIT Tag reader, Weather meter (hand held), Sound recorder (hand-held and automated), Histology and Light Microscopy, Dart gun / tranquillizer gun, eDNA Extraction (water) equipments, Stream flow meter, Phase Contrast Microscope, DIC Microscope, Handheld GPS device, Electronic weighing balance Binoculars, Camera DSLR , Spotting scope, Search lights, Fishing nets Aquaria, ArcGIS (Licensed), Raven software,

 

Symposia, Seminar and Workshop

 

• Conserving Wetlands Biodiversity: Examples from the field and captivity, World Wetlands Day, 3 rd February, 2020. PMAS-AAUR. ("Caring for Herpetofauna: A Guide to Managing Wetland Species in Captivity" by Miss Katie Sipra, USA, and "Slithering with Wet Feet: Snakes in the Fields and their Impact" by Mr. Sheheryar Bokhari, Spain).
• Five days Virtual Training on "Bio-risk Management" at Department of Zoology, PMAS AAUR (4-8 January, 2021)
• World Pangolin Day, 26 February 2021
• Principles of species conservation planning and remote conservation during a pandemic situation", PMAS- Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi and Virtual University Lahore, Tuesday, 3 rd June, 2021(2 PM Pakistan Standard Time).
• DEBMPs: An innovative Approach to Safeguard Ecological Integrity of the Landscape with Energy Infrastructure Development in Northern Pakistan, 17 November 2021

 

Vision Statement

 

To achieve excellence by promoting basic and applied aspects of Zoology through teaching and research.

 

Mission Statement

 

To produce quality graduates able to contribute in the development of knowledge based society through an outcome-based education, training, and research.

 

Objectives and Outcomes

 

• Produce graduates able to understand and appreciate the broader picture of animal life.
• Train the students to identify research gaps/ problems for generating scientific knowledge.
• Enable the students to synthesize and integrate acquired knowledge to solve practical issues of natural and agro- ecosystem.
• Hands-on-practice/ training on recently emerging technologies in multidisciplinary fields such as genetics, biodiversity environmental science, wildlife and conservation, pests and pest management, aquaculture and fisheries, Parasitology, reproductive biology, etc. )

 

Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)

 

• Graduates demonstrating basic and applied knowledge of Zoological science.
• Ability to analyze problems and provide solutions keeping in view the ethical principles and environmental safety.
• Graduates able to work independently as well as in a team-setup as a member or leader to execute research processes for innovation and development in their field of specialization.
• To produce graduates willing to enhance knowledge, communicate and apply at suitable forums for the development of the nation.

 

Program Learning Objectives (PLOs)

 

1: Knowledge
To produce experts in the subject.

2: Problem Analysis
Training graduates for problem identification, formulation, analyzing and reaching a rationale justification.

3: Design/Development
Graduates able to design and develop methods for the solution of problems in their field by using modern technologies and tools, but keeping in view the safety of all components of the environment.

4. Investigation
Trained graduates in the scientific method including literature review, taking observations in the field and laboratory setups, analyzing data and interpreting results to reach a valid and reliable conclusion.

5. Modern Tool Usage
Graduates able to design, choose and use modern and valid tools to solve complex problems.

6. The Graduates and Society
Graduates trained to perceive social, cultural, health and safety problems due to their field of action and feel the responsibility to avoid and mitigate.

7. Environment and Sustainability
Graduates have sufficient knowledge to observe and assess the effect of any research activity on the environment. They will act only keeping in view the sustainable development.

8. Ethics
Graduates would demonstrate ethical values and principles in their profession.

9. Individual and Teamwork
Graduates will be able to work independently as well as in a team setup.

10. Communication
Training to communicate effectively through presentations in seminars and attending workshops.

11. Project Management
To improve skills of the management of time, human, and other resources in the effective execution of a project.

12. Lifelong Learning
To inculcate lifelong learning behavior for innovation and development.

 

Linkages Established

 

International

• University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
• The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, UK
• Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, University of California, Davis, US
• Amphibians Survival Alliance, UK
• Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
• Zoological Research Museum Alexander Konig, Germany

 

National

• Department of Fisheries, Punjab
• Fisheries Development Board, Islamabad
• Forest, Wildlife and Environment Department Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)
• GRS, Attock
• BARI, Chakwal
• Livestock and Dairy Development, Punjab
• National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad