Author: Rakhee Karumbaya

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Title: Hide and seek in time and space: Spatiotemporal segregation between snow leopard and its prey in Northern Pakistan

Author: Khan, T. U., Nabi, G., Ahmad, S., Hu, H., Hu, Y., Puswal, S. M., Ghaznavi, M., Luan, X.

Abstract: Temporal niche-partitioning is a key strategy for prey to avoid predators and for predators to successfully coexist sympatrically. However, little is known about the temporal and spatial dynamics of snow leopards with key prey species. We investigated the spring daily activity patterns and spatial density distributions of snow leopard (Panthera uncia), Himalayan ibex (Capra ibex sibirica), and domestic yak (Bos grunniens) to unravel the spatiotemporal behavior within their shared alpine habitat in Northern Pakistan using trail cameras data. The results indicated that snow leopards exhibited a bimodal activity pattern, with peaks around midnight and dawn. In contrast, the ibex displayed a predominantly diurnal pattern, starting at dawn and minimally overlapping with the snow leopard. Attended yaks showed a uniform diurnal activity pattern under human protection, while unattended yaks exhibited irregular activity across day and night, suggesting higher vulnerability to predation. Spatial density analysis revealed notable overlaps between species pairs, particularly unattended yaks and snow leopards, highlighting the influence of spatial dynamics on predator-prey interactions. The clear off-phased and contrasting pattern of activity between snow leopard and ibex in our study showed temporal partitioning in spring and indicates that unattended yak may be a more heavily predated species than previously thought. This study provides the first comparative analysis of temporal activity patterns between a key predator and wild and domestic prey in Northern Pakistan. This research broadens our understanding of animal behavior through the lens of spatiotemporal interactions and provides insights into the complex dynamics between predator and prey in the challenging alpine landscape. Our findings emphasize the importance of livestock guarding to mitigate depredation and highlight the complexities of predator-prey interactions in both time and space, along with the resulting behavioral adaptions.

URL: https://snowleopardnetwork.org/b/show.php?record=1778

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Title: Climate Change and Human Pressure: Assessing the Vulnerability of Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) Habitat Integrated With Prey Distribution on the Qinghai-­Tibet Plateau

Author: Zhang, Y., Dai, Y., Li, J., Cong, W., Zhang, Y., Nie, X., Wu, Q., Xue, Y.

Abstract: Climate change is significantly altering the distribution of large carnivores and their primary prey species, with particular emphasis on the changing prey distribution in high-­ altitude regions. The Qinghai-­Tibet Plateau, known for its rich biodiversity, is highly sensitive to climate change, affecting the habitats of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur). Our study identified blue sheep as the primary prey of snow leopards through metagenomic analysis and used bioclimatic data and Land Use/Cover Change (LUCC) information to model habitat suitability under three climate scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5). Projections showed that under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5, snow leopard habitats will decrease by 13.0% and 23.4%, while blue sheep habitats will decrease by 38.3% and 49.7%, respectively. These habitats are expected to shift to higher altitudes, with snow leopards experiencing a more significant shift. Based on these findings, we recommend adjusting protected area boundaries for S1 (Ideal distribution range), establishing ecological corridors for S2 (stepping stone), and implementing targeted measures to mitigate human-­wildlife conflicts in S3 (potential conflict area). To protect these species, international efforts to reduce carbon emissions, cross-­ administrative cooperation, and community-­based conservation strategies are essential.

URL: https://snowleopardnetwork.org/b/show.php?record=1777

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Title: Lessons for Transboundary Snow Leopard Conservation: Findings From a GPS Telemetry Study in Kangchenjunga Conservation Area, Nepal

Author: Subba, S. A., Acharya, H. R., Shrestha, S., Koirala, S., Shrestha, R., Thapa, G. J., Thapa, K., Shrestha, A., Malla, S., Bhattarai, G. P., Poudyal, L. P., Khadka, M. B., Gurung, G. S., Bhatta, S. R., Dhakal, M., Subedi, N., Pradhan, N. M. B., Bhandari, A. R., Jnawali, S. R., Limbu, K. P., Dhakal, B. K., Thapa, K.

Abstract: Ensuring the long‐term persistence of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in changing landscapes requires a deep understanding of their spatial ecology and movement behavior. To maintain viable metapopulations and ensure gene flow between populations, there is an urgent need to develop sound and effective conservation plans. This study presents findings from Nepal’s first GPS telemetry study of snow leopards, shedding light on their home range size, habitat selection, and transboundary movements. GPS data were collected from four snow leopard individuals in the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area, eastern Nepal, over tracking periods ranging from 20 to 659 days, yielding a total of 4707 location points. We used three home range estimators
for analysis: local convex hulls (LoCoH), fixed kernels (Kernel), and minimum convex polygons (MCP). Our results show that home range sizes were 6 to 97 times larger than previous estimates for Nepal, with LoCoH estimates of 310 and 102 km2 (MCP = 730 and 211 km2) for two adult females and 312 km2 (MCP = 1032 km2) for one adult male. Three snow leopards crossed international borders five to seven times, spending, on average, 10%–34% of their time in neighboring countries (China and India), with 28%–50% of their home ranges overlapping India. Our study demonstrates that snow leopards in Nepal have home ranges that are significantly larger than previously documented and frequently cross international borders. These extensive transboundary movements highlight the need for stronger coordination between Nepal, China, and India to ensure the long‐term conservation of snow leopards in this key region of their distributional range.

URL: https://snowleopardnetwork.org/b/show.php?record=1776

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Title: Genomic evidence for low genetic diversity but purging of strong deleterious variants in snow leopards

Author: Yang, L., Jin, H., Yang, Q., Poyarkov, A., Korablev, M., Rozhnov, V., Shao, J., Fu, Q., Hernandez-Blanco, J. A., Zhan, X., Yu, L., Alexandrov, D., Dai, Q., Munkhtsog, B., Du, X., Munkhtsog, B., Ma, L., Chen, W., Malykh, S., Jin, Y., He, S., Zhang, T., Wu, G., Shi, Y., Hu, Y.

Abstract:

Background
Long-term persistence of species with low genetic diversity is the focus of widespread attention in conservation biology. The snow leopard, Panthera uncia, is a big cat from high-alpine regions of Asia. However, its subspecies taxonomy, evolutionary history, evolutionary potential, and survival strategy remain unclear, which greatly hampers their conservation.
Results
We sequence a high-quality chromosome-level genome of the snow leopard and the genomes of 52 wild snow leopards. Population genomics reveal the existence of two large genetic lineages in global snow leopards, the northern and southern lineages, supported by the biogeography. The Last Glacial Maximum drove the divergence of two lineages. Microclimate differences and large rivers between the western and central Himalayas likely maintain the differentiation of two lineages. EPAS1 is positively selected in the southern lineage with almost fixed amino acid substitutions and shows an increased allele frequency with elevation. Compared to the southern lineage, the northern lineage exhibits a lower level of genomic diversity and higher levels of inbreeding and genetic load, consistent with its recent population decline. We find that snow leopards have extremely low genomic diversity and higher inbreeding than other Carnivora species; however, strong deleterious mutations have been effectively purged in snow leopards by historical population bottlenecks and inbreeding, which may be a vital genetic mechanism for their population survival and viability.
Conclusions
Our findings reveal the survival strategy of a species with low genetic diversity and highlight the importance of unveiling both genetic diversity and genetic burden for the conservation of threatened species.

URL: https://snowleopardnetwork.org/b/show.php?record=1775

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Title: New records of the clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa in the Qomolangma National Nature Reserve, Tibet

Author: Ding, Y., Wu, N., Liu, Y. Zhong, H., Cering, L. Shi, K.

Abstract: An abstract is not available for this content.

URL: https://snowleopardnetwork.org/b/show.php?record=1774

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Title: Habitat overlap and interspecific competition between snow leopards and leopards in the Central Himalayas of Nepal

Author: Koju, N. P., Buzzard, P., Shrestha, A., Sharma, S., He, K., Li, J., Kyes, R. C., Chen, C., Beisch, W. V.

Abstract: Traditionally, leopards (Panthera pardus) and snow leopards (P. uncia) occupy distinct habitats. This study explored the coexistence of snow leopards and leopards within the Gaurishankar Conservation Area in Lapchi Valley, Nepal. Both leopard species are crucial for ecosystem stability as apex predators. Camera trapping data from 2018 to 2023 confirmed twenty species of wild mammals and two species of domesticated livestock in Lapchi Valley, where snow leopards have strong spatio-temporal overlap (Δ→0.74) with leopards. Snow leopards exhibited distinct temporal patterns before and after the leopards’ arrival in the study area. Generalized Linear Mixed Effect Models (GLMM) revealed seasonal and prey-type associations with leopard presence, highlighting the snow leopards’ preference for cold season and wild prey. Leopards, however, did not show a significant seasonal preference. The findings highlight Lapchi Valley’s ecological richness as well as the need for comprehensive conservation strategies. The record of spatial and temporal overlap between the leopards and snow leopards provides important insights into the behavioral dynamics of apex predators and the need for targeted biodiversity conservation in the face of changing ecosystems. The study emphasizes the valley’s transboundary significance, calling for collaborative efforts between Nepal and China to help promote effective conservation management. Lapchi Valley’s isolation, traditional and religious importance, and recent infrastructure developments further impact the conservation challenges.

URL: https://snowleopardnetwork.org/b/show.php?record=1773