Species diversity, distribution and habitat utilization of urban wildlife in a megacity of Bangladesh

Mohammad Firoj Jaman, Abdur Razzaque Sarker, Mahabub Alam, Mokhlesur Rahman, Fazle Rabbe, Abu Sayeed Rana, Ashikur Rahman Shome, and Sakhawat Hossain

Urban environments harbour many species of wildlife. Such environments may provide a wide range of benefits, although these species could also face more threats in them than outside of the cities, without proper consideration. A comprehensive study of the wildlife in Dhaka, a megacity of Bangladesh, was conducted from September 2015 to November 2018 at eleven sites to estimate the extent of their presence. We collected data following transect line surveys for birds and mammals, and visual encounter surveys for herpetofauna. A total of 209 species belonging to 79 families of wildlife were recorded: 12 amphibians, 19 reptiles, 162 birds and 16 mammals. This study recorded a total of 13,805 individuals: 12,183 birds, 872 mammals, 605 amphibians, and 145 reptiles. In Shahbag site in total 3,039 individuals of wildlife were counted followed by Ramna (2,576), Uttara (2,108) and Mirpur (1,872). Seventeen species were shared between habitats and an average 33% of the total species were shared between sites (range 13–52%). Slightly more than half of the wildlife was recorded on trees, followed by grasslands and urban settlements. We identified some anthropogenic activities such as pollution, rapid construction work, random vehicle movements, using parks and gardens as a short passageway that may have a negative effect on urban wildlife distribution and survivability. Our baseline data on vertebrate wildlife diversity indicate that urban green patches in the study sites may contribute to maintain and conserve biodiversity in the megacities. We hope that the results of this baseline data on wildlife diversity will be valuable to urban decision makers for the development and implementation of more informed megacity master plans. Wildlife diversity in such areas can be significant and without proper planning, can be affected by unchecked human activities in urban settings.