Dementiev G.P. (1967). Quadrupeds inhabitants of the mountains.
Abstract: All species inhabiting the highlands of Asia are normally referred to as herbivorous or predators. A majority of alpine land species (rodents and ungulates) feeds upon leaves, stalks, and roots of plants. Among widely distributed highland species the most interesting are marmots, red pica, grey vole, argali, and ibex. Argali and ibex are preyed on by snow leopards. There are reasons to believe that these mountain animal species are more ancient than their cognates in a plain. All the way from Central Asia to Europe, species belonging to the eastern and western fauna complexes are observed to interpenetrate.
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Volozheninov N.N. (1986). Ecology of some mammals in western part of the Hissar ridge.
Abstract: Additional data on Lepus tolai, Ochotona rutila, Citellus relictus, Marmota caudata, Sus scrofa, Capra sibirica in western part of the Hissar ridge, Uzbekistan, is given here based on materials of the years 1978-1983. Information about distribution of these species, their numbers, food, enemies, and other ecologic issues is provided. Capra sibirica is a principle species snow leopard preys on. In 1899 1983, the authors recorded more than 20 cases of snow leopards' killing ibex of different ages.
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Smith, G. (1992). Mongolia at the crossroads. Earth Island Journal, 7(4), 1.
Abstract: Abstract: Assesses foreign investment laws adopted by the government of Mongolia which have been deemed extremely flexible and favorable for Americans. Economic benefits presented by the big game hunt industry; Consultation with Secretary of State James Baker in the formulation of said laws during his July The Mongolian government is trying its best to make the country attractive to foreign investors. Big game hunts are still Mongolia's primary source of foreign cash. European and American hunters are willing to pay as much as $90,000 for rare game such as the ibex or the snow leopard. However, a recent US Fish and Wildlife Service ruling giving protection to the Argal, a wild sheep, could mean the cutting of cash inflows from foreign hunters.
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Moiseev V. (1993). Around Tien Shan and Hissaro-Alai.
Abstract: A visit to a nature reserve, where the author met protected animals, is described in a popular form. It describes the encounters with wild boar, griffon vulture, brown bear, Menzbier's marmot, Tien Shan souslik, golden eagle, snow leopard, and Siberian ibex.
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Schaller, G. B. (1987). Status of large mammals in the Taxkorgan Reserve, Xinjiang, China. Biological-Conservation, 42(1), 53–71.
Abstract: A status survey of large mammals was conducted in the W half of 14 000 km“SUP 2” Taxkorgan Reserve. Only one viable population of fewer than 150 Marco Polo sheep Ovis ammon poli survives; it appears to be augmented by adult males from Russia and Afghanistan during the winter rut. Asiatic ibex Capra ibex occur primarily in the western part of the reserve and blue sheep Pseudois nayaur – the most abundant wild ungulate – in the E and SE parts. The 2 species overlap in the area of contact. Counts revealed an average wild ungulate density of 0.34 animals km“SUP -2”. Snow leopard Panthera uncia were rare, with possibly 50-75 in the reserve, as were wolves Canis lupus and brown bear Ursus arctos. The principal spring food of snow leopard was blue sheep (60%) and marmot (29%). Local people have greatly decimated wildlife. Overgrazing by livestock and overuse of shrubs for fuelwood is turning this arid steppe habitat into desert. -from Authors
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Suryawanshi, K. R., Bhatnagar, Y. V. B., Redpath, S., Mishra, C. (2013). People, predators and perceptions: patterns of livestock depredation by snow leopards and wolves. Journal of Applied Ecology, 50, 550–560.
Abstract: 1. Livestock depredation by large carnivores is an important conservation and economic concern
and conservation management would benefit from a better understanding of spatial variation
and underlying causes of depredation events. Focusing on the endangered snow leopard
Panthera uncia and the wolf Canis lupus, we identify the ecological factors that predispose
areas within a landscape to livestock depredation. We also examine the potential mismatch
between reality and human perceptions of livestock depredation by these carnivores whose
survival is threatened due to persecution by pastoralists.
2. We assessed the distribution of the snow leopard, wolf and wild ungulate prey through field
surveys in the 4000 km2 Upper Spiti Landscape of trans-Himalayan India. We interviewed local
people in all 25 villages to assess the distribution of livestock and peoples’ perceptions of the risk
to livestock from these carnivores. We monitored village-level livestock mortality over a 2-year
period to assess the actual level of livestock depredation. We quantified several possibly influential
independent variables that together captured variation in topography, carnivore abundance
and abundance and other attributes of livestock. We identified the key variables influencing livestock
depredation using multiple logistic regressions and hierarchical partitioning.
3. Our results revealed notable differences in livestock selectivity and ecological correlates of
livestock depredation – both perceived and actual – by snow leopards and wolves. Stocking
density of large-bodied free-ranging livestock (yaks and horses) best explained people’s threat
perception of livestock depredation by snow leopards, while actual livestock depredation was
explained by the relative abundance of snow leopards and wild prey. In the case of wolves,
peoples’ perception was best explained by abundance of wolves, while actual depredation by
wolves was explained by habitat structure.
4. Synthesis and applications. Our results show that (i) human perceptions can be at odds
with actual patterns of livestock depredation, (ii) increases in wild prey populations will intensify
livestock depredation by snow leopards, and prey recovery programmes must be accompanied
by measures to protect livestock, (iii) compensation or insurance programmes should
target large-bodied livestock in snow leopard habitats and (iv) sustained awareness
programmes are much needed, especially for the wolf.
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Bagchi, S., Mishra, C., Bhatnagar, Y.V., McCarthy, T. (2002). Out of Steppe? Pastoralism and ibex conservation in Spiti..
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Fox, J. L., Sinha, S.P., Chundawat, R.S. (1992). Activity patterns and habitat use of ibex in the Himalaya mountains of India. Journal of Mammology, 73(3), 527–534.
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Anonymous. Central Asian Republic Snow Leopard Specialists Plan Joint Conservation Strategy.
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Ahmad, I., Hunter, D. O., & Jackson, R. (1997). A Snow Leopard and Prey Species Survey in Khunjerab National Park, Pakistan. In R.Jackson, & A.Ahmad (Eds.), (pp. 92–95). Lahore, Pakistan: Islt.
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