|   | 
Details
   web
Records
Author (up) Pal, R., Bhattacharya, T., Sathyakumar, S.
Title Woolly flying squirrel Eupetaurus Cinereus: A new addition to the diet of snow leopard Panthera Uncia Type Short Note
Year 2020 Publication Journal Bombay Natural History Society Abbreviated Journal
Volume 117 Issue Pages
Keywords
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1606
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author (up) Poyarkov, A. D., Munkhtsog, B., Korablev, M. P., Kuksin, A. N., Alexandrov, D. Y., Chistopolova, M. D.,Hernandez-Blanco, J. A., Munkhtogtokh, O., Karnaukhov, A. S., Lkhamsuren, N., Bayaraa, M., Jackson, R. M., Maheshwari, A., Rozhnov, V. V.
Title Assurance of the existence of a trans-boundary population of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) at Tsagaanshuvuut – Tsagan- Shibetu SPA at the Mongolia-Russia border Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Integrative Zoology Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue 15 Pages 224-231
Keywords FST, home range, Panthera uncia, snow leopard, trans-boundary population
Abstract The existence of a trans-boundary population of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) that inhabits the massifs of Tsagaanshuvuut (Mongolia) – Tsagan-Shibetu (Russia) was determined through non-invasive genetic analysis of scat samples and by studying the structure of territory use by a collared female individual. The genetic analysis included species identification of samples through sequencing of a fragment of the cytochrome b gene and individual identification using a panel of 8 microsatellites. The home range of a female snow leopard marked with a satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) collar was represented by the minimum convex polygon method (MCP) 100, the MCP 95 method and the fixed kernel 95 method. The results revealed insignificant genetic differentiation between snow leopards that inhabit both massifs (minimal fixation index [FST]), and the data testify to the unity of the cross-border group. Moreover, 5 common individuals were identified from Mongolian and Russian territories. This finding clearly shows that their home range includes territories of both countries. In addition, regular movement of a collared snow leopard in Mongolia and Russia confirmed the existence of a cross-border snow leopard group. These data support that trans-boundary conservation is important for snow leopards in both countries. We conclude that it is crucial for Russia to study the northern range of snow leopards in Asia.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1493
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author (up) Rashid, W., Shi, J., Rahim, I. U., Dong, S., Ahmad, L.
Title Research trends and management options in human-snow leopard conflict Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Biological Conservation Abbreviated Journal
Volume 242 Issue 108413 Pages 1-10
Keywords Snow leopards, Systematic review, Compensation, Co-existence, Livestock, Human-wildlife conflict, Mitigation
Abstract Conservation of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is challenging because of its threatened status and increase in human-snow leopard conflict (HSC). The area of occupancy of the snow leopard comprises mountainous regions of Asia that are confronted with various environmental pressures including climate change. HSCs have increased with a burgeoning human population and economic activities that enhance competition between human and snow leopard or its preys. Here we systematically review the peer-reviewed literature from 1994 to 2018 in Web of Science, Google Scholar, Science Direct and PubMed (30 articles), to evaluate the current state of scholarship about HSCs and their management. We determine: 1) the spatio-temporal distribution of relevant researches; 2) the methodologies to assess HSCs; 3) and evaluate existing interventions for conflict management; and 4) the potential options for HSC management. The aim of the current study is thus to identify key research gaps and future research requirements. Of the articles in this review, 60% evaluated the mitigation of HSCs, while only 37% provided actionable and decisive results. Compensation programs and livestock management strategies had high success rates for mitigating HSCs through direct or community-managed interventions. Further research is required to evaluate the efficacy of existing HSC mitigation strategies, many of which, while recommended, lack proper support. In spite of the progress made in HSC studies, research is needed to examine ecological and sociocultural context of HSCs. We suggest future work focus on rangeland management for HSC mitigation, thus ultimately fostering a co-existence between human and snow leopard.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1716
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author (up) Rashid, W., Shi, J., Rahim, I. U., Dong, S., Sultan, H.
Title Issues and Opportunities Associated with Trophy Hunting and Tourism in Khunjerab National Park, Northern Pakistan Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Animals Abbreviated Journal
Volume 10 Issue 597 Pages 1-20
Keywords trophy hunting; mass tourism; Pamir; eco-tourism; human-Snow leopard conflict
Abstract Trophy hunting and mass tourism are the two major interventions designed to provide various socioeconomic and ecological benefits at the local and regional levels. However, these interventions have raised some serious concerns that need to be addressed. This study was conducted in Khunjerab National Park (KNP) with an aim to analyze comparatively the socioeconomic and ecological impacts of trophy hunting and mass tourism over the last three decades within the context of sustainability. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with key stakeholders and household interviews were conducted to collect data on trophy hunting and mass tourism, and on local attitudes towards these two interventions in and around KNP. The results revealed that 170 Ibex (Capra sibirica) and 12 Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) were hunted in the study area over the past three decades, and trophy hunting was not based on a sustainable harvest level. Trophy hunting on average generated USD 16,272 annual revenue, which was invested in community development. However, trophy hunting has greatly changed the attitudes of local residents towards wildlife: a positive attitude towards the wild ungulates and strongly negative attitude towards wild carnivores. In addition, trophy hunting has reduced the availability of ungulate prey species for Snow leopards (Panthera uncia), and consequently, Snow leopards have increased their predation on domestic livestock. This has, in turn, increased human–snow leopard conflict, as negative attitudes towards carnivores result in retaliatory killing of Snow leopards. Furthermore, according to ocial record data, the number of tourists to KNP has increased tremendously by 10,437.8%, from 1382 in 1999 to 145,633 in 2018. Mass tourism on average generated USD 33,904 annually and provided opportunities for locals to earn high incomes, but it caused damages to the environment and ecosystem in KNP through pollution generation and negative impacts on wildlife. Considering the limited benefits and significant problems created by trophy hunting and mass tourism, we suggest trophy hunting should be stopped and mass tourism should be shifted to ecotourism in and around KNP. Ecotourism could mitigate human–Snow leopard conflicts and help conserve the fragile ecosystem, while generating enough revenue incentives for the community to protect biodiversity and compensate for livestock depredation losses to Snow leopards. Our results may have implications for management of trophy hunting and mass tourism in other similar regions that deserve further investigation.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1621
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author (up) Rode, J., Pelletier, A., Fumey, J., Rode, S., Cabanat, A. L., Ouvrard, A., Chaix, B., White, B., Harnden, M., Xuan, N. T., Vereshagin, A., Casane, D.
Title Diachronic monitoring of snow leopards at Sarychat-Ertash State Reserve (Kyrgyzstan) through scat genotyping: a pilot study Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication bioRxiv Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-21
Keywords snow leopard, noninvasive genotyping, population dynamics, microsatellite, relatedness, diachronic monitoring, citizen science, Central Asia
Abstract Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are a keystone species of Central Asia’s high mountain ecosystem. The species is listed as vulnerable and is elusive, preventing accurate population assessments that could inform conservation actions. Non-invasive genetic monitoring conducted by citizen scientists offers avenues to provide key data on this species that would otherwise be inaccessible. From 2011 to 2015, OSI-Panthera citizen science expeditions tracked signs of presence of snow leopards along transects in the main valleys and crests of the Sarychat-Ertash State Reserve (Kyrgyzstan). Scat samples were genotyped at seven autosomal microsatellite loci and at a X/Y locus for sex identification, which allowed estimating a minimum of 11 individuals present in the reserve from 2011 to 2015. The genetic recapture of 7 of these individuals enabled diachronic monitoring, providing indications of individuals’ movements throughout the reserve. We found putative family relationships between several individuals. Our results demonstrate the potential of this citizen science program to get a precise description of a snow leopard population through time.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1602
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author (up) Samelius, G., Suryawanshi, K., Frank, J., Agvaantseren, B., Baasandamba, E., Mijiddorj, T., Johansson, O., Tumursukh, L., Mishra, C.
Title Keeping predators out: testing fences to reduce livestock depredation at night-time corrals Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Oryx Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-7
Keywords Canis lupus, carnivore conservation, coexistence, conflict mitigation, conservation conflict, livestock depreda- tion, Panthera uncia, preventative measure
Abstract Livestock depredation by large carnivores is a global conservation challenge, and mitigation measures to reduce livestock losses are crucial for the coexistence of large carnivores and people. Various measures are employed to reduce livestock depredation but their effectiveness has rarely been tested. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of tall fences to reduce livestock losses to snow leopards Panthera uncia and wolves Canis lupus at night-time corrals at the winter camps of livestock herders in the Tost Mountains in southern Mongolia. Self-reported livestock losses at the fenced corrals were reduced from a mean loss of 3.9 goats and sheep per family and winter prior to the study to zero losses in the two winters of the study. In contrast, self-reported livestock losses in winter pastures, and during the rest of the year, when herders used different camps, remained high, which indicates that livestock losses were reduced because of the fences, not because of temporal variation in predation pressure. Herder attitudes towards snow leopards were positive and remained positive during the study, whereas attitudes towards wolves, which attacked livestock also in summer when herders moved out on the steppes, were negative and worsened during the study. This study showed that tall fences can be very effective at reducing night-time losses at corrals and we conclude that fences can be an important tool for snow leopard conservation and for facilitating the coexistence of snow leopards and people.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1492
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author (up) Sharma, K., Fiechter, M., George, T., Young, J., Alexander, J. S., Bijoor, Suryawanshi, K., Mishra, C.
Title Conservation and people: Towards an ethical code of conduct for the use of camera traps in wildlife research Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Ecological Solutions and Evidence Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-6
Keywords camera trap, code of conduct, ethics, human rights, law, PARTNERS principles for community- based conservation, privacy, snow leopard
Abstract 1. Camera trapping is a widely employed tool in wildlife

research, used to estimate animal abundances, understand animal

movement, assess species richness and under- stand animal behaviour. In

addition to images of wild animals, research cameras often record human

images, inadvertently capturing behaviours ranging from innocuous

actions to potentially serious crimes.

2. With the increasing use of camera traps, there is an urgent need to

reflect on how researchers should deal with human images caught on

cameras. On the one hand, it is important to respect the privacy of

individuals caught on cameras, while, on the other hand, there is a

larger public duty to report illegal activity. This creates ethical

dilemmas for researchers.

3. Here, based on our camera-trap research on snow leopards Panthera

uncia, we outline a general code of conduct to help improve the practice

of camera trap based research and help researchers better navigate the

ethical-legal tightrope of this important research tool.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1626
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author (up) Sharma, R. K., Sharma, K., Borchers, D., Bhatnagar, Y. V., Suryawanshi, K. S., Mishra, C.
Title Spatial variation in population-density, movement and detectability of snow leopards in 2 a multiple use landscape in Spiti Valley, Trans-Himalaya Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication bioRxiv Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords Co-existence; land sharing; population-density; spatial capture recapture; Pseudois nayaur Capra sibirica; ungulates; livestock.
Abstract The endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia occurs in human use landscapes in the mountains of South and Central Asia. Conservationists generally agree that snow leopards must be conserved through a land-sharing approach, rather than land-sparing in the form of strictly protected areas. Effective conservation through land-sharing requires a good understanding of how snow leopards respond to human use of the landscape. Snow leopard density is expected to show spatial variation within a landscape because of variation in the intensity of human use and the quality of habitat. However, snow leopards have been difficult to enumerate and monitor. Variation in the density of snow leopards remains undocumented, and the impact of human use on their populations is poorly understood. We examined spatial variation in snow leopard density in Spiti Valley, an important snow leopard landscape in India, via spatially explicit capture recapture analysis of camera trap data. We camera trapped an area encompassing a minimum convex polygon of 953 km . We estimated an overall density of 0.49 (95% CI: 0.39-0.73) adult snow leopards per 100 km . Using AIC, our best model showed the density of snow leopards to depend on wild prey density, movement about activity centres to depend on altitude, and the expected number of encounters at the activity centre to depend on topography. Models that also used livestock biomass as a density covariate ranked second, but the effect of livestock was weak. Our results highlight the importance of maintaining high density pockets of wild prey populations in multiple use landscapes to enhance snow leopard conservation.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1620
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author (up) Shrestha, B., Kindlmann, P.
Title Implications of landscape genetics and connectivity of snow leopard in the Nepalese Himalayas for its conservation. Type Scientific Report
Year 2020 Publication Nature Research Abbreviated Journal
Volume 10 Issue 19853 Pages 1-11
Keywords
Abstract The snow leopard is one of the most endangered large mammals.

Its population, already low, is declining, most likely due to the

consequences of human activity, including a reduction in the size and

number of suitable habitats. With climate change, habitat loss may

escalate, because of an upward shift in the tree line and concomitant

loss of the alpine zone, where the snow leopard lives. Migration between

suitable areas, therefore, is important because a decline in abundance

in these areas may result in inbreeding, fragmentation of populations,

reduction in genetic variation due to habitat fragmentation, loss of

connectivity, bottlenecks or genetic drift. Here we use our data

collected in Nepal to determine the areas suitable for snow leopards, by

using habitat suitability maps, and describe the genetic structure of

the snow leopard within and between these areas. We also determine the

influence of landscape features on the genetic structure of its

populations and reveal corridors connecting suitable areas. We conclude

that it is necessary to protect these natural corridors to maintain the

possibility of snow leopards' migration between suitable areas, which

will enable gene flow between the diminishing populations and thus

maintain a viable metapopulation of snow leopards.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1628
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author (up) Singh, R., Krausman, P. R., Pandey, P., Maheshwari, A., Rawal, R. S., Sharma, S., Shekhar, S.
Title Predicting Habitat Suitability of Snow Leopards in the Western Himalayan Mountains, India Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Biology bulletin Abbreviated Journal
Volume 47 Issue 6 Pages 655-664
Keywords biogeographic distribution, climate, endangered cat, MaxEnt, snow leopard
Abstract The population of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is declining

across their range, due to poaching, habitat fragmentation, retaliatory

killing, and a decrease of wild prey species. Obtaining information on

rare and cryptic predators living in remote and rugged terrain is

important for making conservation and management strategies. We used the

Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) ecological niche modeling framework to predict

the potential habitat of snow leopards across the western Himalayan

region, India. The model was developed using 34 spatial species

occurrence points in the western Himalaya, and 26 parameters including,

prey species distribution, temperature, precipitation, land use and land

cover (LULC), slope, aspect, terrain ruggedness and altitude. Thirteen

variables contributed 98.6% towards predicting the distribution of snow

leopards. The area under the curve (AUC) score was high (0.994) for the

training data from our model, which indicates pre- dictive ability of

the model. The model predicted that there was 42432 km2 of potential

habitat for snow leop- ards in the western Himalaya region. Protected

status was available for 11247 km2 (26.5%), but the other 31185 km2

(73.5%) of potential habitat did not have any protected status. Thus,

our approach is useful for predicting the distribution and suitable

habitats and can focus field surveys in selected areas to save

resources, increase survey success, and improve conservation efforts for

snow leopards.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1629
Permanent link to this record