Takatu National Park

30°20′58″N 67°01′57″E / 30.34944°N 67.03250°E / 30.34944; 67.03250

Takatu National Park
تکتو نیشنل پارک
Interactive map of Takatu National Park
LocationBalochistan
Nearest cityQuetta,& Pishin Districts
Area13,524.594 ha (52.21875 sq mi)
Established2025
Governing bodyBalochistan Wildlife Department

Takatu National Park is a national park in Quetta District and Pishin District, Balochistan, Pakistan. Declared as a national park on 13 January 2025,[1] Takatu is known for its flora and fauna, among which several are endagered species—notably the Sulaiman markhor. Koh-i-Takatu, the third highest peak in Balochistan, is also situated here.

Flora and Fauna

Takatu Park is roughly located 15 to 16 miles in the North-East of Chiltan Park which makes its environment very similar to Chiltan. Due to this both parks have a similar bio-diversity.

Animals

Name of animal Scientific name
Afghan hedgehog Hemiechinus auritus megalotis
Brandt's hedgehog Paraechinus hypomelas
Balochistan short-tailed shrew Crocidura gmelini
Zarudny's rock shrew Crocidura zarudnyi
Greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum
Indian wolf Canis lupus pallipes
Asiatic jackal Canis aureus
Red fox Vulpes vulpes
Caracal Caracal caracal
Jungle cat Felis chaus
Beech marten Martes foina
Marbled polecat Vormela peregusna
Striped hyena Hyaena hyaena
Chiltan ibex Capra aegagrus chialtanensis
Cape hare Lepus capensis
Afghan pika Ochotona rufescens
Grey dwarf hamster Cricetulus migratorius
Baluchi mouse-like hamster Calomyscus baluchi
Small five-toed jerboa Allactaga elater
Forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula
Indian crested porcupine Hystrix indica
Sundevall's jird Meriones crassus
Persian jird Meriones persicus
Libyan jird Meriones libycus
Southern mole vole Ellobius fuscocapillus
Brown spiny mouse Mus saxicola
Black rat Rattus rattus
Sand-colored soft-furred rat Millardia gleadowi
House mouse Mus musculus
Indian bandicoot rat Nesokia indica

Birds

Name of animal Scientific name Distribution Type
Shikra Accipiter badius Near rest-house WV/SBV
Eurasian sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus SBV
Black kite Milvus migrans SBV
Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos R/WV
Tawny eagle Aquila rapax R
Bonelli's eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus R
Short-toed snake eagle Circaetus gallicus R
Bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus WV/R
Griffon vulture Gyps fulvus R
Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus SBV
Cinereous vulture Aegypius monachus SBV/WV
Long-legged buzzard Buteo rufinus WV
Hen harrier Circus cyaneus R/WV
Common kestrel Falco tinnunculus R/WV
Eurasian hobby Falco subbuteo WV
Saker falcon Falco cherrug WV
Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus SBV/WV
Merlin Falco columbarius SBV/WV
See-see partridge Ammoperdix griseogularis R
Chukar partridge Alectoris chukar R
Houbara bustard Chlamydotis undulata WV/PM
White-tailed lapwing Chettusia leucura PM/SBV
Spotted sandgrouse Pterocles senegallus PM/WV
Rock dove Columba livia R
Common wood pigeon Columba palumbus R
European turtle dove Streptopelia turtur WV
Eurasian collared dove Streptopelia decaocto R/SBV
Laughing dove Spilopelia senegalensis R/SBV
Rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri SBV
Common cuckoo Cuculus canorus SB
Spotted owlet Athene brama R
Eurasian eagle-owl Bubo bubo R
Eurasian scops owl Otus scops SBV
Pallid scops owl Otus brucei SBV
European nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus SBV/WV
Common swift Apus apus SBV
Little swift Apus affinis SBV
Alpine swift Apus melba SBV
European bee-eater Merops apiaster SBV
Asian green bee-eater Merops orientalis SBV
Eurasian hoopoe Upupa epops SBV
Scaly-bellied woodpecker Picus squamatus R
Hume's short-toed lark Calandrella acutirostris SBV
Greater short-toed lark Calandrella brachydactyla WV
Oriental skylark Alauda gulgula R
Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor WV
Lesser whitethroat Sylvia curruca WV
Bay-backed shrike Lanius vittatus WV
Eurasian skylark Alauda arvensis WV

See also

References

  1. ^ Ahmed, Naveed. "Takatu National Park – A Life Haven in the Balochistan Mountains". DGPR Balochistan. Retrieved 20 January 2026.