Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii is reportedly declining rapidly in all the range states and its population believed to be much less now than some 10-12 years ago (Goriup, 1997). Rough estimates of the de- clining rates from causal observations in diffe- rent parts of Balochistan indicate a declining rate around 10% per annum (Mian 1984)and an equivalent decline has been suggested for Sind (Surahio 1985) and Iran (pers. obs.). Falconry and the hunting of Houbara are de- eply integrated in Arab tradition and culture. Since mid-1960s, Pakistan has hosted falco- ners from the Gulf countries who come to hunt Houbara Bustards. Until the mid 1980s, the hunting parties were estimated to kill between 3,000 to 4,000 birds each year (Goriup 1983; Mian 1984). Mian & Dasti (1985) and Mian (1984) have also reported hunting activities in Western Balochistan. According to them, in 1982-83 only, 5,000 to 6,000 birds were hun- ted. In addition, there is poaching, trapping and smuggling to the Middle East by local hunters, where they are used to train the falcons. This harvest is considered to be between 4,000 and 7,000 birds (Goriup, 1997). The status of Houbara Bustard has always been a controversial subject, probably due to the extreme difficulties in counting the birds in their natural environment. Although globally threatened, it is reportedly declining in almost every range state (Del Hoyo et. al., 1997). Go- riup (1997) described its status as vulnerable to threatened. The present study was under taken in November 1999 to know the current popula- tion status in the Province of Punjab, Pakistan. Population estimates for Houbara were com- pared following Simple Strip and Probability methods. Transects of 10 km length and 500 m wide (250 m on both sides) were studied, by driving 4 × 4 vehicle at a low speed (20 km/h) along the transect. Transects were undertaken randomly at different prime habitats with use of one vehicle. Survey time was from sunrise to 10:30 am and from 3 pm to sunset. The distan- ce of birds flushed was noted as an approxi- mation and indirect clues such as footprints, droppings and feathers were noted on both si- des of transects. Fresh footprints and droppings were considered while estimating the popula- tion. The data were analyzed following stan- dard statistics (Tanner, 1978; Maan et.al., 1999; Nadeem et. al., 2004). Density, D = ng/2W (L). Total population estimates, P = D × A where, n = number of houbara groups obser- ved, g = mean group size, 2W = width of tran- sect on both side of transect, L = total length of all transects, A = total area of habitat. Correc- tion factor: Σ = sighting probability for distance for houbara / probability of out of sight area in the transect under study. Missing population in the study area and in the total habitat was calculated (modified from Neter, et. al., 1979; Maan et. al., 1999; Nadeem Ardeola 52(1), 2005, 163-166 POPULATION ESTIMATES OF HOUBARA BUSTARD CHLAMYDOTIS UNDULATA MACQUEENII IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN, NOVEMBER 1999 ESTIMA POBLACIONAL DE LA HUBARA CHLAMYDOTIS UNDULATA MACQUEENII EN EL PUNJAB, PAKISTAN, NOVIEMBRE 1999 Muhammad Sajid NADEEM* 1 , M. Anwar MAAN**, Tariq MAHMOOD*** & Aasim Iqbal ABBASI**** * Zoology Department New Campus Punjab University Lahore, Pakistan. ** Deputy Director Punjab Wildlife Department 2-Sandha Road Lahore, Pakistan. *** Biology Department Gordon College Rawalpindi, Pakistan. **** Biology Department, Cadet College Hassan Abdal, Pakistan. 1 Corresponding autor: E-mail: sajidnm@hotmail.com