Oli, M. K., Taylor, I. R., & Rogers, M. K. (1993). Diet of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Journal of Zoology London, 231(3), 365–370.
Abstract: The diet of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) was studied from 213 scats collected between April 1990 and February 1991 in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Seven species of wild and five species of domestic mammals were taken, as well as an unidentified mammal and birds. Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) were the most frequently eaten prey. Himalayan marmots (Marmota himalayana) were also important, except in winter when they were hibernating. During winter, snow leopards ate more Royle's pika (Ochotona roylei) and domestic livestock. Yaks were eaten more frequently than other livestock types.
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Oli, M. K. (1993). A key for the identification of the hair of mammals of a snow leopard (Panthera uncia) habitat in Nepal. Journal of Zoology London, 231(1), 71–93.
Abstract: Analysis of prey remains in scats, particularly hairs, in widely used to study diet of mammalian predators, but identification of hair is often difficult because hair structures vary considerably both within and between species. Use of photographic reference of diagnostically important hair structures from mammals occurring in a predator's habitat has been found to be convenient for routine identification. A photographic reference key was developed for the identification of hairs of the mammals known to occur in a snow leopard (Panthera uncia) habitat in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. The key included a photographic reference of the diagnostic hair structures of nine species of wild and five species of domestic mammals. The cross-sectional appearance, shape and arrangement of medulla, the ratio of cortex to medulla, and the form and distribution of pigment in medulla and cortex were important diagnostic aids in the identification of hairs.
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Oli, M. K. (1994). Snow leopards and blue sheep in Nepal: Densities and predator: prey ratio. Journal of Mammalogy, 75(4), 998–1004.
Abstract: I studied snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) in Manang District, Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal, to estimate numbers and analyze predator-prey interactions. Five to seven adult leopards used the 10-5-km-2 study area, a density of 4.8 to 6.7 leopards/100 km-2. Density of blue sheep was 6.6 10.2 sheep/km-2, and biomass density was 304 kg/km-2. Estimated relative biomass consumed by snow leopards suggested that blue sheep were the most important prey; marmots (Marmota himalayana) also contributed significantly to the diel of snow leopards Snow leopards in Manang were estimated to harvest 9-20% of total biomass and 11-24% of total number of blue sheep annually. Snow leopard: blue sheep ratio was 1:114-1:159 on a weight basis, which was considered sustainable given the importance of small mammals in the leopard's diet and the absence of other competing predators.
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Oli, M. K., Taylor, I. R., & Rogers, M. E. (1994). Snow leopard Panthera unica predation of livestock: An assessment of local perceptions in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Biological Conservation, 68(1), 63–68.
Abstract: Public attitudes towards snow leopard Panthera uncia predation of domestic livestock were investigated by a questionnaire survey of four villages in snow leopard habitat within the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Most local inhabitants were subsistence farmers, many dependent upon yaks, oxen, horses and goats, with an average livestock holding of 26.6 animals per household. Reported losses to snow leopards averaged 0.6 and 0.7 animals per household in two years of study, constituting 2.6% of total stockholding but representing in monetary terms almost a quarter of the average annual Nepali national per capita income. Local people held strongly negative attitudes towards snow leopards and most suggested that total extermination of leopards was the only acceptable solution to the predation problem. Snow leopards were reported to be killed by herdsmen in defence of their livestock. The long-term success of snow leopard conservation programmes may depend upon the satisfactory resolution of the predation conflict. Some possible ways of reducing predation losses are also discussed.
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Oli, M. K., & Rogers, E. M. (1996). Seasonal pattern in group size and population composition of blue sheep in Manang, Nepal. Journal of Wildlife Management, 60(4), 797–801.
Abstract: Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) are the principal prey of the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in the Himalayas and adjacent ranges. We studied group size and population composition of blue sheep in Manang District, Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Overall mean group size was 15.6 (SE = 1.3), but it varied seasonally (P lt 0.001), with significantly smaller groups in winter than in other seasons. Mixed groups were most numerous in all seasons, and there was no evidence of sexual segregation. Yearling sex ratio (93.7 M:100 F) did not vary seasonally, nor did the ratio deviate from parity. Adult sex ratio showed a seasonal pattern favoring males post-parturition but female-biased during the rut and pre-parturition. Seasonal variation in sex-specific mortality is offered as a plausible explanation for the observed pattern in adult sex ratio.
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Oli, M. K. (1996). Seasonal patterns in habitat use of blue sheep Pseudois nayaur (Artiodactyla, Bovidae) in Nepal. Mammalia, 60(2), 187–193.
Abstract: Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) are the main prey of the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia) as well as an important game species in Nepal. A knowledge of how blue sheep utilize their habitat is essential for the scientific management of the sheep and for the conservation of the snow leopard, but we only have a limited understanding of this aspect of blue sheep ecology. I studied the habitat use pattern of blue sheep by direct observation in the Anna-purna Conservation Area, Nepal where they occur sympatrically with the snow leopard. The sheep used grassland habitats more frequently during pre-parturition (spring) and post-parturition (autumn) than other habitat types, but scrub and grassland habitats were used equally frequently during the rut (winter). The sheep used smooth undulating slopes of medium steepness (<40 degrees) on southerly aspects within the elevation range of 4,200-4,600 m most frequently in all seasons, and there was no evidence of seasonal migration along the elevation gradient. When not in broken landforms (e.g., cliff, landslides), the sheep maintained proximity (less than or equal to 150 m) to such features suggesting their importance as escape cover (i.e., from predators). The use of habitat components by blue sheep appeared to be related to the distribution of foraging areas and escape cover.
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Oli, M. K. (1997). Winter home range of snow leopards in Nepal. Mammalia, 61(3), 355–360.
Abstract: Because of their low densities, sparse distribution, elusive behavior, and the precipitous habitat they occupy, snow leopards (Uncia uncia) have been the subject of limited study. This study contributes to that limited database with an investigation of the winter home range of 3 radio-collared snow leopards (2 females and 1 male) in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Winter home ranges varied from 13.9-22.3 km2 (x = 19.1). Home ranges overlapped extensively within and between sexes, and an area of 8.1 km2 in the core study site was shared by all three leopards.
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Oli, M. K., Taylor, K. R., & Rogers, M. E. (1994). Snow leopard Panthera uncia predation of livestock: An assessment of local perceptions in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal (Vol. 68).
Abstract: Public attitudes towards snow leopard Panthera uncia predation of domestic livestock were investigated by a questionnaire survey of four villages in snow leopard habitat within the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal Most local inhabitants were subsistence farmers, many dependent upon yaks, oxen, horses and goats, with an average livestock holding of 26.6 animals per household. Reported losses to snow leopards averaged 0.6 and O. 7 animals per household in two years of study, constituting 2.6% of total stockholding but representing in monetary terms almost a quarter of the average annual Nepali national per capita income. Local people hem strongly negative attitudes towards snow leopards and most suggested that total extermination of leopards was the only acceptable solution to the predation problem. Snow leopards were reported to be killed by herdsmen in defence of their livestock. The long-term success of snow leopard conservation programmes may depend upon the satisfactory resolution of the predation conflict. Some possible ways of reducing predation losses are also discussed.
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Schaller, G. B. (1972). On the behaviour of Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur). Journal of Bombay Natural Historical Society, 69, 523–537.
Abstract: Two or three snow leopards hunted in the study area in eastern Nepal. Describes content of some snow leopard scat
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Schaller, G. B. (1977). Mountain Monarchs: Wild Sheep and Goats of the Himalaya (Wildlife Behavior & Ecology). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Abstract: Describes snow leopard status and field observations from studies in Pakistan and Nepal. Review provides some data on snow leopard marking behavior, social relations, food habits and predator behavior.
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