Dr. Waseem Ahmad Khan

M.Sc. Zoology (PU), M.Sc. Applied Environmental Sciences (PU),
M. Phil. Zoology (GCU, Lahore), Ph. D. Zoology (PU)

Associate Professor & Chairman
Phone:  0092-49-4427104, Cell: 0092-333-5214333
Email: waseem.khan@uvas.edu.pk

Biography  

Dr. Waseem Ahmad Khan is an Associate Professor and Chairman, Department of Wildlife & Ecology, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, Pakistan. Dr. Khan is a qualified professional having PhD degree in Zoology with specialization in Wildlife Management. Has a number of International and national trainings to his credit in wildlife related fields including; Wildlife Conservation Techniques, Small Mammals Field Techniques, Herpetological Survey Techniques, Ornithological Survey Techniques, Animal Preservation & Taxidermy Techniques, Modern Techniques for the Analysis of Ecological Data, Wildlife Photography Field Training, Recent Techniques for Conservation of Plant Genetic Diversity, GIS Training, First Aid Training, GEF Projects Development and Project Management. Dr. Khan is a wildlife ecologist and biodiversity specialist having good understanding of wildlife conservation, environmental management, natural history museology and project planning and management. Have supervised and managed 13 different projects during the last five years. Well versed with community based conservation and having over 20 years’ conservation, administration and research experience with different government and non-government conservation organizations including; Wildlife Departments of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, WWF-Pakistan, Falcon Foundation International, Houbara Foundation International, GC University Lahore, Punjab University Lahore and Modern Institute of Informatics and Management Islamabad. Have 33 research articles, two review articles and 13 popular articles to his credit while three books are under the process of publication. Supervised / Co-supervised two PhD, three M Phil, seven M Sc and six BS theses at GCU Lahore, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF), University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi (UAAR) and University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore in the field of Herpetology, Ornithology and Mammalogy. Currently supervising two PhD, three M Phil, six M Sc and five BS theses at Department of Wildlife & Ecology, UVAS, Lahore. Dr. Khan has conducted more than 100 International and national wildlife surveys to study herpetological, ornithological and mammalian fauna and produced more than 100 survey reports. Dr. Khan has good drafting skills with having reviewed and commented on several EIA, IEE and general reports from different organizations sent by Pak EPA. Referee of six International peer-reviewed research journals; Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, Journal of Plants & Animal Sciences, Punjab University Journal of Zoology, National Geographic Society, IUCN OSG Bulletin and Biologia-Pakistan; editor of Pakistan Journal of Wildlife and Managing Editor of Pakistan Journal of Fisheries. Member, Country Representative and Deputy Asian Coordinator of IUCN Otter Specialist Group and Species Contact for Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) out of the 13 species contacts worldwide. Founder and Chairman of Pakistan Wildlife Foundation, General Secretary of Kalabagh Wildlife Foundation (Volunteer work) and Technical Advisor of Urial Conservation & Trophy Hunting Committee, Kalabagh. Have good communication skills in English, Urdu, Hindi, Persian, Punjabi and Sindhi. Core competencies include; an organized professional, good in setting priorities and ability to work independently and under extreme pressures.  

Areas of Interest

• Zoology (Major)

  • Wildlife Ecology
  • Wildlife Management
  • Ornithology
  • Herpetology
  • Ethology
  • Zoogeography
  • Population Ecology
  • Conservation Biology

Publications

TRAINIGS AND COURSES (ATTENDED)

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING

• Otter Conservation Techniques: Attended 8-day training on Asian Otter Research and Conservation organized jointly by IUCN OSG, Conservation International (CI) and International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) from February 24 to March 03, 2009 at Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

NATIONAL TRAININGS

• Zoo Animal Keeping, Zoonosis and Bio-safety Measures: A 2-day hands-on-training in “Zoo Animal Keeping, Zoonosis and Bio-safety Measures” jointly organized by Department of Wildlife & Ecology, UVAS, Pakistan Wildlife Foundation and National Academy of Young Scientists, Pakistan at Department of Wildlife & Ecology, UVAS, Ravi Campus, Pattoki (August 27-28, 2015).
• Animal Stuffing & Taxidermy Techniques: A 3-day hands-on-training in “Animal Stuffing & Taxidermy Techniques” jointly organized by Department of Wildlife & Ecology, UVAS, Pakistan Wildlife Foundation and Kalabagh Wildlife Foundation, Pakistan at Department of Wildlife & Ecology, UVAS, Ravi Campus, Pattoki (June 24-26, 2015).
• Dart Gun & Its Use in Wildlife Studies: A one-day training on “Dart Gun & Its Use in Wildlife Studies” organized by Department of Wildlife & Ecology, UVAS, Ravi Campus, Pattoki (January 15, 2015).
• Wildlife Photography Field Training: A 3-day training workshop on Wildlife Photography jointly organized by Pakistan Wildlife Foundation and Directorate of Biodiversity, Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan in Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan (February 11-13, 2013).
• Project Management: A 6-month’s diploma in Project Management from Modern Institute of Informatics and Management, Islamabad (Nov. 2004 to April 2005).
• GEF Projects Development: A 3-day training on GEF Project Development organized by Ministry of Environment, Government of Pakistan in Islamabad (May 14-16, 2007).
• Recent Techniques for Conservation of Plant Genetic Diversity: Participated in an international symposium on plant genetic diversity conservation organized jointly by PMNH Islamabad and NARC, Pakistan on March 13, 2010 in Islamabad.
• Modern Techniques for the Analysis of Ecological Data: A 2-day workshop on Modern Techniques for the Analysis of Ecological Data jointly organized by Pakistan Museum of Natural History and Snow Leopard Trust in Islamabad (September 29-30, 2009).
• First Aid Training: A 3-day training on Emergency First Aid with CPR organized jointly by Pakistan Red Crescent and Pakistan Wetlands Programme in Islamabad (June 23-25, 2008).
• GIS Training: Attended 5-day training on Principles and Applications of Conservation GIS organized by National Council for Conservation of Wildlife (February 25-29, 2008).
• Small Mammals Field Techniques Training: Attended 3-day workshop on Small Mammals FieldTechniques Training, organized jointly by Pakistan Science Foundation and Zoo Outreach, India,in Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Islamabad (October 2004).
• Certificate of Information Technology: A 6-month’s computer course from Zen-Tech     Education System, Islamabad including MS Word, Excel and Power Point (Feb-Aug, 2005).

TRAINIGS & WORKSHOPS ORGANIZED

• Insect Collection & Preservation Techniques: A 3-day training workshop on “Insect Collection & Preservation Techniques” from November 4-6, 2015 at Department of Wildlife & Ecology, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Ravi Campus, Pattoki.
• Zoo Animal Keeping, Zoonosis and Bio-safety Measures: A 2-day hands-on-training in “Zoo Animal Keeping, Zoonosis and Bio-safety Measures” jointly organized by Department of Wildlife & Ecology, UVAS, Pakistan Wildlife Foundation and National Academy of Young Scientists, Pakistan at Department of Wildlife & Ecology, UVAS, Ravi Campus, Pattoki (August 27-28, 2015).
• Animal Stuffing & Taxidermy Techniques: A 3-day hands-on-training in “Animal Stuffing & Taxidermy Techniques” jointly organized by Department of Wildlife & Ecology, UVAS and Pakistan Wildlife Foundation at Department of Wildlife & Ecology, UVAS, Pattoki (June 24-26, 2015).
• Dart Gun & Its Use in Wildlife Studies: A one-day training on “Dart Gun & Its Use in Wildlife Studies” organized by Department of Wildlife & Ecology, UVAS, Pattoki (January 15, 2015).
• Wildlife Photography Field Trainings: Two 3-day training workshops on Wildlife Photography jointly organized by Pakistan Wildlife Foundation, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore and Directorate of Biodiversity, Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan in Salt Range, Punjab and Tharparkar, Sindh (February 11-13 & March 26-28, 2013).
• Short Courses in Wildlife Management: Organized a number of short training courses in wildlife related fields through distant learning from the platform of Pakistan Wildlife Foundation. More than 30 nature lovers and wildlife managers have completed different such courses under my supervision.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

• Project Manager / Principal Investigator: Honeybee Farming at UVAS Wildlife Breeding Farms, Pattoki (March 2016 onwards). UVAS Funded Project.
• Project Manager / Principal Investigator: Distribution and Status of Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) in Punjab and Balochistan, Pakistan (July 2015 to March 2016), HEC Funded Project.
• Project Manager: Conservation Breeding of Indian Python (Python molurus) at UVAS Wildlife Breeding Farms, Pattoki, Pakistan (February 2015 to December 2018), UVAS Funded Project.
• Project Manager: Distribution, Status and Habitat Evaluation of Punjab Urial (Ovis vegnii) in Punjab, Pakistan (October 2014 to December, 2015), WWF-Pakistan Funded Project.
• Project Manager: Himalayan Climate Change Adaptation Program (HICAP) in Upper Indus Basin including Hunza, Gilgit and Chitral (October 2012 to December, 2013), ICIMOD Funded Project.
• Project Manager: Distribution, Status and Habitat Evaluation of Hog Deer (Axis porcinus) in Indus Eco-region, Pakistan (January to December, 2011), WWF-Pakistan Funded Project.
• Project Manager: Distribution, Status & Management of Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) in Indus Eco-region, Pakistan (October 2008 to September 2010), WWF-Pakistan Funded Project.
• Project Supervisor: Biogas plants installation project in different villages of Tehsil Murree, District Rawalpindi (2007-2008), WWF-Pakistan Funded Project.
• Project Supervisor: Post Earthquake Environmental Impact Assessment of selected sites of NWFP and AJK (2006-2007), WWF-Pakistan Funded Project.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / WILDLIFE SURVEYS CONDUCTED

Conducted more than 100 International and national wildlife surveys to study amphibian, reptilian, avian and mammalian fauna. A brief list of different surveys is given below.

• November 2015: Distribution and Status of Smooth-coated otter in Balochistan, Pakistan.
• May 2015: Study of wildlife fauna around Tarbela Dam as part of EIA for Tarbela Dam 5th Extension
• April 2015: Herpetological survey around Karot (Punjab) and Kotli (AJK) as part of EIA for Karot Hydro Power Project
• February 2015: Population estimation of Punjab Urial (Ovis vignei), Indian Gazelle (Gazaella bennettii) in Kala Bagh, District Mianwali, Pakistan.
• March 2015: Population estimation of Grey Francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus) and Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus) in Kala Bagh, District Mianwali, Pakistan.
• June 2014: Survey of Gilgit, Hunza, Shimshal and Khunjerab for collecting blood and skin samples of Markhor, Blue sheep, Himalayan ibex and Snow leopard for their genomic studies at UVAS, Lahore.
• May 2014: Survey of Tharparkar to investigate the causes of mortalities in Indian peafowl.
• September 2013: Capturing of Punjab Urial (Ovis vignei) in Salt Range using Dart Gun for taking blood samples to study the Genetic Diversity among Urial populations in Pakistan.
• August 2013: Herpetological survey around Kotli, AJK as part of EIA for Gulpur Hydro Power Project.
• June 2013: Study of wildlife fauna around Rahim Yar Khan as part of EIA for Pakistan Petroleum.
• June 2013: Study of wildlife fauna in Chakwal & Attoak districts as part of EIA for Pakistan Petroleum
• December 2012: Study of Eco-system services at selected sites in Gilgit, Hunza & Chitral
• April 2012: Ornithological survey in Tharparkar, Pakistan under EIA of Thar-coal power project
• January 2012: Wildlife survey along Nara Canal in Khairpur and Sanghar districts, Sindh, Pakistan
• January 2012: Status of Marsh crocodile (Crocodilus palustris) in Haleji Lake, Sindh, Pakistan
• December 2011: Population status of Hog deer (Axis porcinus) in Indus Eco-region, Pakistan
• November 2011: Ornithological monitoring at Jhimpir, Sindh, Pakistan for 50 MW wind power project

• October 2011: Distribution of Amphibians & Reptiles in Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan
• August 2011: Distribution and status of Amphibians and Reptiles in Baltistan Region, GB, Pakistan
• July 2011: Distribution & status of Punjab Urial (Ovis vignei) in Soan Valley, Punjab, Pakistan
• January 2011: Herpetological survey along coastal areas in Balochistan Province.

• November 2010: Herpetological, avian & mammalian surveys in Logar, Afghanistan.
• January 2010: Water quality analysis in otter habitats in Sindh, Pakistan.
• August 2009: Avian & mammalian surveys at Khanpur Dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• July 2009: Ecological baseline studies in Shimshal valley in Gilgit-Baltistan.
• May 2009: Habitat evaluation for Smooth-coated otter in Sindh, Pakistan.
• February 2009: Distribution & population estimation of Smooth-coated otter in Sindh, Pakistan.
• December 2008: Reconnaissance survey for Smooth-coated otter in Sindh, Pakistan.
• January 2008: Study of large mammals in Indus Eco-region for WWF Pakistan.
• June 2007: Study of large mammals in Indus Eco-region for WWF Pakistan. 
• February 2007: Study of large mammals in Hingol National Park, Balochistan, Pakistan.
• November 2006: Population estimation of Hog deer (Axis porcinus) in Pai Forest, Sindh, Pakistan.

• June 2006: Ecological baseline studies in Khunjerab National Park, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.

• March 2006: Study of large mammals in Hingol National Park, Balochistan, Pakistan.
• 2002-2003: Seven different surveys of Hadiara Drain throughout its 55 km stretch in Pakistan for interviewing local communities, collecting samples of water, sediments and aquatic fauna (turtles) to estimate the level of heavy metal contamination.
• September 1998 and March 1999: Studies on cranes (Grus grus and Anthropoides virgo) in South Waziristan Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
• May-July 1998: Herpetological studies in South Waziristan Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
• September 1996 to March 1998: Studies on feeding behavior of Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata) in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur districts in Punjab, Pakistan.
• May to August 1995 & July to August 1996: Surveys of Cholistan Desert, DG Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, Fort Abbas and Mandi Yazman to assess the major threats to Laggar Falcon (Falco jugar) and to organize awareness raising workshops about ecological role of Laggar Falcon.
• 1993-94: Surveys in and around Lahore city for herpetological collections for the Natural History Museum of Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan.

EDITORIAL EXPERTISE

• Editor               :  Pakistan Journal of Wildlife (Peer-reviewed Research Journal)
• Editor               :  Wildlife of Pakistan (Magazine)
• Reviewer           :  Raffles Bulletin of Zoology (Peer-reviewed Research Journal)
• Reviewer           : Journal of Plants & Animal Sciences (Peer-reviewed Journal)
• Reviewer           :  Punjab University Journal of Zoology (Peer-reviewed Journal)
• Reviewer           :  IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin (Peer-reviewed Journal)
• Reviewer           :  Biologia - Pakistan (Peer-reviewed Research Journal)
• Reviewer           :  National Geographic Society (Conservation Projects)

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• Founder / Chairman                   :  Pakistan Wildlife Foundation
• Deputy Asian Coordinator          :  IUCN / SSC Otter Specialist Group
• Country Representative              :  IUCN / SSC Otter Specialist Group
• Species Contact                        :  IUCN / SSC OSG Smooth-coated Otter
• Life Fellow                                :  Zoological Society of Pakistan
• Life Fellow                                :  Fisheries Society of Pakistan
• Fellow                                       :  Biological Society of Pakistan
• Managing Director                     :  Kalabagh Wildlife Foundation
• Technical Advisor                     :  UVAS Wildlife Society

POST-GRADUATE SUPERVISION

UNDER-GRADUATE SUPERVISION

CONSERVATION BREEDING OF THREATENED WILDLIFE SPECIES

A number of Threatened and Economically Important wildlife species are being kept, reared and managed under my supervision at UVAS Wildlife Breeding Farm, Pattoki. Some of the key species are mentioned below;

• Indian Rock Python: Three pairs of Indian Rock Python (Python molurus) are being kept for their Conservation Breeding and to support university research students.
• Indian Gazelle (Chinkara): Ten Indian Gazelles (Gazaella bennettii) are being kept and reared for their Conservation Breeding and to support university research students.
• Grey Francolin: More than 40 Grey Francolins (Francolinus pondicerianus) are being kept and reared for their Conservation and Commercial Breeding and to support university research students.
• Blue Bull (Nilgai): Two pairs of Blue Bull (Boselephus tragochemilus) are being kept and reared for their Conservation Breeding and to support university research students.
• Indian Peafowl: Ten pairs of Indian Peafowl (Pavo crustatus) are being kept and reared for their Conservation & Commercial Breeding and to support university research students.
• Ostrich Breeding: Twelve ostrich (4 trio) are being kept and reared for Commercial Breeding and to support university research students.
• Alexandrine Parakeet (Parrot): Three pairs of Alexandrine Parakeet are being kept and reared for their Conservation Breeding and to support university research students.
• Marsh Crocodile: Three pairs of Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) are being kept and reared for its Conservation Breeding and to support university research students.