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Author Bohnett, E., Faryabi, S. P., Lewison, R., An, L., Bian, X., Rajabi, A. M., Jahed, N., Rooyesh, H., Mills, E., Ramos, S., Mesnildrey, N., Perez, C. M. S., Taylor, J., Terentyev, V., Ostrowski, S.
Title Human expertise combined with artificial intelligence improves performance of snow leopard camera trap studies Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Global Ecology & Conservation Abbreviated Journal
Volume 41 Issue (up) e02350 Pages 1-13
Keywords Snow leopard, Artificial intelligence, Camera trap misclassification, individual ID, HotSpotter
Abstract Camera trapping is the most widely used data collection method for estimating snow leopard (Panthera uncia) abundance; however, the accuracy of this method is limited by human observer errors from misclassifying individuals in camera trap images. We evaluated the extent Whiskerbook (www.whiskerbook.org), an artificial intelligence (AI) software, could reduce this error rate and enhance the accuracy of capture-recapture abundance estimates. Using 439 images of 34 captive snow leopard individuals, classification was performed by five observers with prior experience in individual snow leopard ID (“experts”) and five observers with no such experience (“novices”). The “expert” observers classified 35 out of 34 snow leopard individuals, on average erroneously splitting one individual into two, thus resulting in a higher number than true individuals. The success rate of experts was 90 %, with less than a 3 % error in estimating the population size in capture-recapture modeling. However, the “novice” observers successfully matched 71 % of encounters, recognizing 25 out of 34 individuals, underestimating the population by 25 %. It was found that expert observers significantly outperformed novice observers, making statistically fewer errors (Mann Whitney U test P = 0.01) and finding the true number of individuals (P = 0.01). These differences were contrasted with a previous study by Johansson et al. 2020, using the same subset of 16 individuals from European zoos. With the help of AI and the Whiskerbook platform, “experts” were able to match 87 % of encounters and identify 15 out of 16 individuals, with modeled estimates of 16 ± 1 individuals. In contrast, “novices” were 63 % accurate in matching encounters and identified 12 out of 16 individuals, modeling 12 ± 1 individuals that underestimated the population size by 12 %. When comparing the performance of observers using AI and the Whiskerbook platform to observers performing the tasks manually, we found that observers using Whiskerbook made significantly fewer errors in splitting one individual into two (P = 0.04). However, there were also a significantly higher number of combination errors, where two individuals were combined into one (P = 0.01). Specifically, combination errors were found to be made by “novices” (P = 0.04). Although AI benefited both expert and novice observers, expert observers outperformed novices. Our results suggest that AI effectively reduced the misclassification of individual snow leopards in camera trap studies, improving abundance estimates. However, even with AI support, expert observers were needed to obtain the most accurate estimates.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1715
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Author Tallian, A., Mattisson, J., Samelius, G., Odden, J., Mishra, C., Linnell, J. D. C., Lkhagvajav, P., Johansson, O.
Title Wild versus domestic prey: Variation in the kill-site behavior of two large felids Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Global Ecology and Conservation Abbreviated Journal
Volume 47 Issue (up) e026750 Pages 1-13
Keywords Eurasian lynx, Handling time, Landscape, Livestock, Predation, Snow leopard
Abstract Livestock depredation is an important source of conflict for many terrestrial large carnivore

species. Understanding the foraging behavior of large carnivores on domestic prey is therefore

important for both mitigating conflict and conserving threatened carnivore populations. Handling

time is an important, albeit often overlooked, component of predatory behavior, as it directly

influences access to food biomass, which can affect predator foraging efficiency and subsequent

kill rates. We used long-term data on snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in Mongolia (Asia) and

Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Norway (Europe) to examine how large carnivore foraging patterns

varied between domestic and wild prey, and how the different landscape characteristics affected

those patterns. Our results suggest handling time was generally shorter for domestic compared to

wild prey. For snow leopards, rugged terrain was linked to increased handling time for larger

prey. For lynx, handling time increased with terrain ruggedness for domestic, but not wild, prey,

and was greater in closed compared to open habitats. There were also other differences in snow

leopard and lynx foraging behavior, e.g., snow leopards also stayed longer at, and remained closer

to, their kill sites than lynx. Shorter handling time suggests that felids may have utilized domestic

prey less effectively than wild prey, i.e., they spent less time consuming their prey. This could a)

result in an energetic or fitness cost related to decreased felid foraging efficiency caused by the

risk of anthropogenic disturbance, or b) exacerbate conflict if reduced handling time associated

with easy prey results in increased livestock depredation.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1737
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Author Karki, A., Panthi, S.
Title Factors affecting livestock depredation by snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in the Himalayan region of Nepal Type Journal Article
Year 2021 Publication PeerJ Abbreviated Journal
Volume 9 Issue (up) e11575 Pages 1-14
Keywords Conflict,Habitat,Himalaya,Livestockdepredation,Modeling,Snowleopard,Wildlife management
Abstract The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) found in central Asia is classified as vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Every year, large number of livestock are killed by snow leopards in Nepal, leading to economic loss to local communities and making human-snow leopard conflict a major threat to snow leopard conservation. We conducted formal and informal stakeholder’s interviews to gather information related to livestock depredation with the aim to map the attack sites by the snow leopard. These sites were further validated by district forest office staffs to assess sources of bias. Attack sites older than 3 years were removed from the survey. We found 109 attack sites and visited all the sites for geo location purpose (GPS points of all unique sites were taken). We maintained at least a 100 m distance between attack locations to ensure that each attack location was unique, which resulted in 86 unique locations. A total of 235 km2 was used to define livestock depredation risk zone during this study. Using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modeling, we found that distance to livestock sheds, distance to paths, aspect, and distance to roads were major contributing factors to the snow leopard’s attacks. We identified 13.64 km2 as risk zone for livestock depredation from snow leopards in the study area. Furthermore, snow leopards preferred to attack livestock near livestock shelters, far from human paths and at moderate distance from motor roads. These identified attack zones should be managed both for snow leopard conservation and livestock protection in order to balance human livelihoods while protecting snow leopards and their habitats.
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Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1640
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Author Pathak, A., Lamichhane, S., Dhakal, M., Karki, A., Dhakal, B. D., Chetri, M., Mintz, J., Pun, P., Neupane, P., Dahal, T. P., Rayamajhi, T., Paudel, P., Thapa, A., Regmi, P. R., Thami, S., Thapa, G., Khanal, S., Lama, S., Karki, J., Khanal, S., Ferdin, A. E. J.
Title Human-wildlife conflict at high altitude: A case from Gaurishankar conservation area, Nepal Type Journal Article
Year 2024 Publication Ecology and Evolution Abbreviated Journal
Volume 14 Issue (up) e11685 Pages 1-9
Keywords coexistence, compensation policy, Gaurishankar conservation area, high altitude, Himalayan black bear, human-wildlife conflict, leopard
Abstract Human–wildlife conflict studies of high-altitude areas are rare due to budget constraints and the challenging nature of research in these remote environments. This study investigates the prevalence and increasing trend of human–wildlife conflict (HWC) in the mountainous Gaurishankar Conservation Area (GCA) of Nepal, with a specific focus on leopard (Panthera pardus) and Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus laniger). The study analyzes a decade of HWC reports and identifies goats as the livestock most targeted by leopards. The Dolakha district of GCA received the highest number of reports, highlighting the need for mitigation measures in the area. In GCA, livestock attacks accounted for 85% of compensation, with the remaining 15% for human injuries. We estimate that the number of reported wildlife attacks grew on average by 33% per year, with an additional increase of 57 reports per year following the implementation of a new compensation policy during BS 2076 (2019 AD). While bear attacks showed no significant change post-rule alteration, leopard attack reports surged from 1 to 60 annually, indicating improved compensation may have resulted in increased leopard-attack reporting rates. The findings emphasize the economic impact of HWC on local communities and suggest strategies such as increasing prey populations, promoting community education and awareness, enhancing alternative livelihood options, developing community-based insurance programs, and implementing secure enclosures (corrals) to minimize conflicts and foster harmonious coexistence. This research addresses a knowledge gap in HWC in high- altitude conservation areas like the GCA, providing valuable insights for conservation stakeholders and contributing to biodiversity conservation and the well-being of humans and wildlife.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1752
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Author Arias, M., Coals, P., Ardiantiono, Elves-Powell, J., Rizzolo, J. B., Ghoddousi, A., Boron, V., da Silva, M., Naude, V., Williams, V., Poudel, S., Loveridge, A., Payan, E., Suryawanshi, K., Dickman, A.
Title Reflecting on the role of human-felid conflict and local use in big cat trade Type Journal Article
Year 2024 Publication Conservation Science and Practice Abbreviated Journal
Volume 6 Issue (up) e13030 Pages 1-7
Keywords conflict, illegal trade, jaguar, leopard, lion, Panthera, snow leopard, tiger, wildlife crime
Abstract Illegal trade in big cat (Panthera spp.) body parts is a prominent topic in scientific and public discourses concerning wildlife conservation. While illegal trade is generally acknowledged as a threat to big cat species, we suggest that two enabling factors have, to date, been under-considered. To that end, we discuss the roles of human-felid conflict, and “local” use in illegal trade in big cat body parts. Drawing examples from across species and regions, we look at generalities, contextual subtleties, ambiguities, and definitional complexities. We caution against underestimating the extent of “local” use of big cats and highlight the potential of conflict killings to supply body parts.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
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Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1745
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Author Gao, Y., Wang, Y., Lee, A. T. L., Liu, Y., Luo, Y., Orrick, K., Alexander, J. S., Sangpo, J. T., Clark, S. G.
Title Contextualizing sociodemographic differences in Tibetan attitudes toward large carnivores Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Conservation Science and Practice Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue (up) e13049 Pages 1-15
Keywords ABC model, brown bear, gray wolf, snow leopard, Tibet
Abstract Fostering human–wildlife coexistence necessitates a thorough and nuanced grasp of local attitudes toward wildlife. Attitudes can vary substantially based on the sociodemographic backgrounds of individuals within a society. This study examines Tibetan attitudes toward large carnivores, emphasizing the importance of contextualization in discerning the effects of sociodemographic factors on attitudes. We began by analyzing existing research on Tibetan attitudes toward wildlife in China, identifying previously studied sociodemo- graphic variables. We then executed an online survey to evaluate the affective, behavioral, cognitive, and overall attitudes of ethnic Tibetans in China toward snow leopards (Panthera uncia), gray wolves (Canis lupus), and brown bears (Ursus arctos). Our findings show that while factors such as gender, age, religious identity, and level of education shape these attitudes, their influence differs depending on the specific attitude component and the target animal under examination. Therefore, making broad generalizations about sociodemographic differences in attitudes can be misleading. It is imperative for attitude research to clearly define the attitude component (what type of attitude), object (attitude toward what), and circumstance (attitude in which situation) being studied. Conducting ethnographic fieldwork in collaboration with local cultural experts can deepen our understanding of local perspectives and the ways sociodemographic factors influence attitudes. Such insights are pivotal for developing conservation strategies attuned to local sociocultural contexts.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1736
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Author Pal, R., Panwar, A., Goyal, S. P., Sathyakumar, S.
Title Changes in ecological conditions may influence intraguild competition: inferring interaction patterns of snow leopard with co-predators Type Journal Article
Year 2022 Publication PeerJ Abbreviated Journal
Volume 10 Issue (up) e14277 Pages 1-26
Keywords Common leopard, Woolly wolf, Occupancy, Interspecific interactions, Temporal overlap, Scat analysis
Abstract Background: Large-scale changes in habitat conditions due to human modifications and climate change require management practices to consider how species communities can alter amidst these changes. Understanding species interactions across the gradient of space, anthropogenic pressure, and season provide the opportunity to anticipate possible dynamics in the changing scenarios. We studied the interspecific interactions of carnivore species in a high-altitude ecosystem over seasonal (summer and winter) and resource gradients (livestock grazing) to assess the impact of changing abiotic and biotic settings on coexistence.

Methods: The study was conducted in the Upper Bhagirathi basin, Western Himalaya, India. We analyzed around 4 years of camera trap monitoring data to understand seasonal spatial and temporal interactions of the snow leopard with common leopard and woolly wolf were assessed in the greater and trans-Himalayan habitats, respectively. We used two species occupancy models to assess spatial interactions, and circadian activity patterns were used to assess seasonal temporal overlap amongst carnivores. In addition, we examined scats to understand the commonalities in prey selection.

Results: The result showed that although snow leopard and wolves depend on the same limited prey species and show high temporal overlap, habitat heterogeneity and differential habitat use facilitate co-occurrence between these two predators. Snow leopard and common leopard were spatially independent in the summer. Conversely, the common leopard negatively influences the space use of snow leopard in the winter. Limited prey resources (lack of livestock), restricted space (due to snow cover), and similar activity patterns in winter might result in strong competition, causing these species to avoid each other on a spatial scale. The study showed that in addition to species traits and size, ecological settings also play a significant role in deciding the intensity of competition between large carnivores. Climate change and habitat shifts are predicted to increase the spatial overlap between snow leopard and co-predators in the future. In such scenarios, wolves and snow leopards may coexist in a topographically diverse environment, provided sufficient prey are available. However, shifts in tree line might lead to severe competition between common leopards and snow leopards, which could be detrimental to the latter. Further monitoring of resource use across abiotic and biotic environments may improve our understanding of how changing ecological conditions can affect resource partitioning between snow leopards and predators.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1701
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Author Salvatori, M., Oberosler, V., Augugliaro, C., Krofel, M., Rovero, F.
Title Effects of free-ranging livestock on occurrence and interspecific interactions of a mammalian community Type Journal Article
Year 2022 Publication Ecological-Applications. Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue (up) e2644 Pages 1-13
Keywords activity pattern, community occupancy, grassland, interspecific interactions, livestock encroachment, snow leopard
Abstract Mammalian communities inhabiting temperate grasslands are of conservation concern globally, especially in Central Asia, where livestock numbers have dramatically increased in recent decades, leading to overgrazing and land-use change. Yet, how this pervasive presence of livestock herds affects the community of wild mammals remains largely unstudied. We used systematic camera trapping at 216 sites across remote, mountainous areas of the Mongolian Altai Mountains to assess the spatial and temporal patterns of occurrence and the interspecific relationships within a mammalian community that includes different categories of livestock. By adopting a recently proposed multispecies occupancy model that incorporates interspecific correlation in occupancy, we found several statistically strong correlations in occupancy among species pairs, with the majority involving livestock. The sign of such associations was markedly species-dependent, with larger wild species of conservation concern, namely, snow leopard and Siberian ibex, avoiding livestock presence. As predicted, we found evidence of a positive correlation in occupancy between predators and their respective main prey. Contrary to our expectations, a number of intraguild species pairs also showed positive co-occurrence, with no evidence of spatiotemporal niche partitioning. Overall, our study suggests that livestock encroaching into protected areas influences the whole local community of wild mammals. Though pastoralism has coexisted with wildlife for millennia in central Asian grasslands, our findings suggest that policies and practices to decrease the pressure of livestock husbandry on wildlife are needed, with special attention on large species, such as the snow leopard and its wild prey, which seem to be particularly sensitive to this pervasive livestock presence.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1690
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Author Alexander, J. S., Shi, K., Tallents, L. A., Riordan, P.
Title On the high trail: examining determinants of site use by the Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia in Qilianshan, China Type Journal Article
Year 2015 Publication Oryx Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue (up) Fauna & Flora International Pages 1-8
Keywords Camera Trap, China, Detection Probability, Occupancy Modelling, Panthera Uncia, Site use, Snow Leopard
Abstract Abstract There is a need for simple and robust techniques for assessment and monitoring of populations of the Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia to inform the de- velopment of action plans for snow leopard conservation. We explored the use of occupancy modelling to evaluate the influence of environmental and anthropogenic features on snow leopard site-use patterns. We conducted a camera trap survey across  km in Gansu Province, China, and used data from  camera traps to estimate probabilities of site use and detection using the single season occupancy model. We assessed the influence of three covariates on site use by snow leopards: elevation, the presence of blue sheep Pseudois nayaur and the presence of human disturb- ance (distance to roads). We recorded  captures of snow leopards over , trap-days, representing a mean capture success of . captures per  trap-days. Elevation had the strongest influence on site use, with the probability of site use increasing with altitude, whereas the influence of presence of prey and distance to roads was relatively weak. Our findings indicate the need for practical and robust tech- niques to appraise determinants of site use by snow leo- pards, especially in the context of the limited resources available for such work.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1433
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Author Alexander, J. S., Cusack, J. J., Pengju, C, Kun, S., Riordan, P.
Title Conservation of snow leopards: spill-over benefits for other carnivores? Type Journal Article
Year 2015 Publication Oryx Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue (up) Fauna & Flora International Pages 1-5
Keywords China, conservation, Eurasian lynx, grey wolf, red fox, snow leopard
Abstract In high-altitude settings of Central Asia the

Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia has been recognized

as a potential umbrella species. As a first step in assessing

the potential benefits of snow leopard conservation for

other carnivores, we sought a better understanding of the

presence of other carnivores in areas occupied by snow leopards

in China’s Qilianshan National Nature Reserve. We

used camera-trap and sign surveys to examine whether

other carnivores were using the same travel routes as snow

leopards at two spatial scales. We also considered temporal

interactions between species. Our results confirm that other

carnivores, including the red fox Vulpes vulpes, grey wolf

Canis lupus, Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx and dhole Cuon alpinus,

occur along snow leopard travel routes, albeit with low detection

rates. Even at the smaller scale of our camera trap survey

all five carnivores (snow leopard, lynx, wolf, red fox and

dhole) were observed. Kernel density estimates suggested a

high degree of temporal overlap between the snow leopard

and the fox, and the snow leopard and the lynx, as indicated

by high overlap coefficient estimates. There is an opportunity

to consider protective measures at the local scale that would

benefit various species simultaneously. However, it should

also be recognized that snow leopard conservation efforts

could exacerbate human–wildlife conflicts through their protective

effect on other carnivore species.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1434
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