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Author Filla, M., Lama, R. P., Ghale, T. R., Signer, J., Filla, T., Aryal, R. R., Heurich, M., Waltert, M., Balkenhol, N., Khorozyan, I.
Title In the shadows of snow leopards and the Himalayas: density and habitat selection of blue sheep in Manang, Nepal Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Ecology and Evolution Abbreviated Journal
Volume 2021 Issue 11 Pages 108-122
Keywords (up) Annapurna Conservation Area, bharal, Panthera uncia, predator-prey, Pseudois nayaur
Abstract There is a growing agreement that conservation needs to be proactive and pay increased attention to common species and to the threats they face. The blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) plays a key ecological role in sensitive high-altitude ecosystems of Central Asia and is among the main prey species for the globally vulnerable snow leopard (Panthera uncia). As the blue sheep has been increasingly exposed to human pressures, it is vital to estimate its population dynamics, protect the key populations, identify important habitats, and secure a balance between conservation and local livelihoods. We conducted a study in Manang, Annapurna Conservation Area (Nepal), to survey blue sheep on 60 transects in spring (127.9 km) and 61 transects in autumn (134.7 km) of 2019, estimate their minimum densities from total counts, compare these densities with previous estimates, and assess blue sheep habitat selection by the application of generalized additive models (GAMs). Total counts yielded minimum density estimates of 6.0–7.7 and 6.9–7.8 individuals/km2 in spring and autumn, respectively, which are relatively high compared to other areas. Elevation and, to a lesser extent, land cover indicated by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) strongly affected habitat selection by blue sheep, whereas the effects of anthropogenic variables were insignificant. Animals were found mainly in habitats associated with grasslands and shrublands at elevations between 4,200 and 4,700 m. We show that the blue sheep population size in Manang has been largely maintained over the past three decades, indicating the success of the integrated conservation and development efforts in this area. Considering a strong dependence of snow leopards on blue sheep, these findings give hope for the long-term conservation of this big cat in Manang. We suggest that long-term population monitoring and a better understanding of blue sheep–livestock interactions are crucial to maintain healthy populations of blue sheep and, as a consequence, of snow leopards.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1683
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Author Mishra, C.; Madhusudan, M.D.; Datta, A.
Title Mammals of the high altitudes of western Arunachal Pradesh, eastern Himalaya: an assessment of threats and conservation needs Type Miscellaneous
Year 2006 Publication Oryx Abbreviated Journal
Volume 40 Issue 1 Pages 1-7
Keywords (up) anthropogenic; area; Arunachal; assessment; awareness; bharal; biodiversity; carnivore; carnivores; community; community-based; conservation; deer; depredation; dhole; endangered; extinct; fauna; goral; grazing; habitat; habitats; High; Himalaya; hunting; incentives; India; indian; Iucn; leopard; livestock; livestock-depredation; livestock depredation; local; mammals; musk; musk-deer; nayaur; panthera; people; peoples; plant; plants; potential; Pseudois; Pseudois-nayaur; pseudois nayaur; range; recent; region; Report; reserve; resource; schools; snow; snow-leopard; snow leopard; species; survey; surveys; threat; threatened; threats; tiger; uncia; Uncia-uncia; Uncia uncia; ungulate; ungulates; valley; wildlife; work; Panthera-tigris; tigris
Abstract The high altitudes of Arunachal Pradesh,India, located in the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot, remain zoologically unexplored and unprotected. We report results of recent mammal surveys in the high altitude habitats of western Arunachal Pradesh. A total of 35 mammal species (including 12 carnivores, 10 ungulates and 5 primates) were recorded, of which 13 are categorized as Endangered or Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. One species of primate, the Arunachal macaque Macaca munzala, is new to science and the Chinese goral Nemorhaedus caudatus is a new addition to the ungulate fauna of the Indian subcontinent. We documented peoples' dependence on natural resources for grazing and extraction of timber and medicinal plants. The region's mammals are threatened by widespread hunting. The snow leopard Uncia uncia and dhole Cuon alpinus are also persecuted in retaliation for livestock depredation. The tiger Panthera tigris, earlier reported from the lower valleys, is now apparently extinct there, and range reductions over the last two decades are reported for bharal Pseudois nayaur and musk deer Moschus sp.. Based on mammal species richness, extent of high altitude habitat, and levels of anthropogenic disturbance, we identified a potential site for the creation of Arunachal's first high altitude wildlife reserve (815 km2). Community-based efforts that provide incentives for conservation-friendly practices could work in this area, and conservation awareness programmes are required, not just amongst the local communities and schools but for politicians, bureaucrats and the army.
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Call Number SLN @ rana @ 861 Serial 697
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Author Khanal, G., Poudyal, L. P., Devkota, B. P., Ranabhat, R., Wegge, P.
Title Status and conservation of the snow leopard Panthera uncia in Api Nampa Conservation Area, Nepal Type Journal Article
Year 2018 Publication Fauna & Flora International Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-8
Keywords (up) Api Nampa Conservation Area, bharal, Nepal, Panthera uncia, Pseudois nayaur, snow leopard
Abstract The snow leopard Panthera uncia is globally

threatened and reliable information on its abundance,

distribution and prey species is a prerequisite for its conservation.

In October-November 2014 we assessed the distribution

of the snow leopard in the recently established Api

Nampa Conservation Area in the Nepal Himalayas.

Within selected blocks we conducted sign surveys and

counted the number of bharal Pseudois nayaur, its principal

wild prey, along transects totalling 106 km.We recorded 203

putative snow leopard signs at an encounter rate of 1.91

signs/km. Generalized linear models of the number of

signs detected per transect showed that elevation had a positive

influence and human activities a negative influence on

sign encounter rate; prey abundance had only a weak positive

influence on sign encounter rate. Within the effectively

surveyed area of c. 2002 km2, we counted 527 bharal at an estimated

density of 2.28 animals/km2. Recruitment of bharal

was low, estimated at 48 kids/100 adult females, most likely a

result of poor or overgrazed rangeland. We estimate

the total number of bharal in this conservation area to be

.>1,000, a prey base that could sustain 6-9 snow leopards.

Based on our field observations, we identified human disturbance

and habitat degradation associated with extraction

of non-timber forest products, livestock grazing, and poaching

as the main threats to the snow leopard. Standardized

sign surveys, preferably supplemented by sampling with

remote cameras or with genetic analysis of scats would

provide robust baseline information on the abundance of

snow leopards in this conservation area.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1473
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Author Shrestha, R.; Wegge, P.; Koirala, R.A.
Title Summer diets of wild and domestic ungulates in Nepal Himalaya Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Journal of Zoology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 266 Issue Pages 111-119
Keywords (up) argali; blue sheep; Capra hircus; diet; faecal analysis; fecal analysis; mountain ungulates; Ovis ammon hodgsoni; pseudois nayaur
Abstract The selection of summer forage by three sympatric ungulates in the Damodar Kunda region of upper Mustang in

north Nepal was studied to assess the extent of food overlap between them. To compare their diets, a microhistological technique of faecal analysis was used, adjusted for inherent biases by comparing it with bite-count data obtained in domestic goats. Tibetan argali Ovis ammon hodgsoni, naur (blue sheep or bharal) Pseudois nayaur and domestic goat Capra hircus consumed mostly forbs, graminoids and browse, respectively. The proportions of food items in their diets were significantly different both at the plant species (P<0.02) and at the forage category level (P<0.001). Except for sharing three common plants (Agrostis sp., Stipa sp. and Potentilla fruticosa), dietary overlap at the species level was quite low. At the forage category level, naur and domestic goat overlapped more than the other ungulate pairs. Although all three species were opportunistic, mixed feeders, argali was a more selective forb specialist grazer than the other two ungulates. Owing to some spatial separation and little dietary overlap, interspecific competition for summer forage was low. If animal densities increase, however, goats are expected to compete more with naur than with argali because of their more similar diets. Owing to differences in forage selection by argali and naur throughout their large geographical ranges, reflecting adaptations to local ecological conditions, inferences regarding forage competition between domestic livestock and these two wild caprins need to be made from local, site-specific studies, rather than from general diet comparisons.
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Publisher The Zoological Society of London Place of Publication London Editor
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Call Number SLN @ rana @ 934 Serial 888
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Author Namgail, T.; Fox, J.; Bhatnagar, Y.V.
Title Habitat segregation between sympatric Tibetan argali Ovis ammon hodgsoni and blue sheep Pseudois nayaur in the Indian Trans-Himalaya Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Journal of Zoology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 262 Issue Pages 57-63
Keywords (up) argali; Ovis ammon hodgsoni; blue sheep; pseudois nayaur; Habitat selection; resource partitioning; niche relationship; 5200
Abstract Tibetan argali Ovis ammon hodgsoni and blue sheep Pseudois nayaur have almost completely overlapping distributions encompassing most of the Tibetan plateau and its margins. Such a sympatric distribution of related species with similar ecological requirements implies that there is some degree of resource partitioning. This may be accomplished on the basis of habitat and/or diet separation. This study evaluated such ecological separation on the basis of physical habitat partitioning by these two sympatric ungulates in Hemis High Altitude National Park, Ladakh, India, in an area where the argali established a small new population in 1978. Such separation was tested for

on the basis of expected difference between the species in their proximity to cliffs, associated with species-specific anti-predator behaviour. Tibetan argali selected habitats away from cliffs while blue sheep selected habitats close to cliffs. Blue sheep also selected steep slopes whereas argali selected gentle slopes. The two species did not differ

in their use of habitats in terms of elevation. They did, however, differ in their use of plant communities; blue sheep selected sub-shrub and grass-dominated communities whilst argali selected forb-dominated communities. We suggest that the two species coexist in this site as a result of the differential use of habitat associated with their

species-specific anti-predator strategies.
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Notes Full text available at URL Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 505 Serial 710
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Author Hanson, J. H., Schutgens, M., Lama, R.P., Aryal, A., Dhakal, M.
Title Local attitudes to the proposed translocation of blue sheep Pseudois nayaur to Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal Type Journal Article
Year 2018 Publication Fauna & Flora International Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-7
Keywords (up) Attitudes, blue sheep, human&wildlife conflict, Panthera uncia, Pseudois nayaur, Sagarmatha National Park, snow leopard, translocation
Abstract Translocations are an important tool for the conservation

of biodiversity, but although ecological feasibility

studies are frequently conducted prior to implementation,

social feasibility studies that consider how local communities

perceive such projects are less common. The translocation

of blue sheep Pseudois nayaur to Sagarmatha National

Park, Nepal, has been proposed, to reduce livestock depredation

by snow leopards Panthera uncia by providing an alternative

prey base in addition to the small population of

Himalayan thar Hemitragus jemlahicus. This study used

systematic sampling, a quantitative questionnaire and qualitative

interviews within the Park to provide data on the social

viability of the proposed translocation. Quantitative

analysis revealed moderate levels of support but qualitative

analysis suggested that there are significant concerns about

the proposal. In addition,multiple regression analysis found

that women and livestock owners were significantly less

supportive, although the model had low explanatory

power. Potential crop damage and competition for forage

were frequently cited as concerns, especially amongst

those with a high level of dependence on natural resources.

Given the mixed response to the proposed translocation of

blue sheep to the Everest region, alleviating the reservations

of local residents is likely to be key to any further consultation,

planning or implementation.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1475
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Author Wang, X.; Peng, J.; Zhou, H.
Title Preliminary observations on the distribution and status of dwarf blue sheep Pseudois schaeferi Type Journal Article
Year 2000 Publication Oryx Abbreviated Journal
Volume 34 Issue 1 Pages 21-26
Keywords (up) Batang County of China; conservation; status; distribution; dwarf blue sheep; Pseudois schaeferi.; 5190
Abstract Describes the drastic decline of the dwarf blue sheep since the 1950's primarily due to over-hunting. There are an estimated 200 individuals remaining in a 295 square km range in Batang county, China. The authors recommend urgent protection for this species.
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Notes Full text available at URL Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 504 Serial 1004
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Author Wegge, P., Shrestha, R., Flagstad, O.
Title Snow leopard Panthera uncia predation on livestock and wild prey in a mountain valley in northern Nepal: implications for conservation management Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication Wildlife Biology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 18 Issue 10.2981/11-049 Pages 131-141
Keywords (up) bharal, blue sheep, diet, genetic sampling, naur, Panthera uncia, predation, Pseudois nayaur, scat analysis, snow leopard, wildlife conflict
Abstract The globally endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia is sparsely distributed throughout the rugged mountains in Asia.

Its habit of preying on livestock poses a main challenge to management. In the remote Phu valley in northern Nepal, we

obtained reliable information on livestock losses and estimated predator abundance and diet composition from DNA

analysis and prey remains in scats. The annual diet consisted of 42%livestock. Among the wild prey, bharal (blue sheep/

naur) Pseudois nayaur was by far the most common species (92%). Two independent abundance estimates suggested that

there were six snow leopards in the valley during the course of our study. On average, each snow leopard killed about one

livestock individual and two bharal permonth. Predation loss of livestock estimated fromprey remains in scats was 3.9%,

which was in concordance with village records (4.0%). From a total count of bharal, the only large natural prey in the area

and occurring at a density of 8.4 animals/km2 or about half the density of livestock, snow leopards were estimated to

harvest 15.1% of the population annually. This predation rate approaches the natural, inherent recruitment rate of this

species; in Phu the proportion of kids was estimated at 18.4%. High livestock losses have created a hostile attitude against

the snow leopard and mitigation measures are needed. Among innovative management schemes now being implemented

throughout the species’ range, compensation and insurance programmes coupled with other incentive measures are

encouraged, rather than measures to reduce the snow leopard’s access to livestock. In areas like the Phu valley, where the

natural prey base consists mainly of one ungulate species that is already heavily preyed upon, the latter approach, if

implemented, will lead to increased predation on this prey, which over time may suppress numbers of both prey and

predator.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1386
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Author Shrestha, R.; Wegge, P.
Title Wild sheep and livestock in Nepal Trans-Himalaya: coexistence or competition? Type Journal Article
Year 2008 Publication Environmental Conservation Abbreviated Journal
Volume 32 Issue 2 Pages 125-136
Keywords (up) bharal; blue sheep; diet; food habits; mountain ungulates; Nepal; pastoralism; pseudois nayaur; rangeland management; resource partitioning
Abstract Excessive grazing by livestock is claimed to displace wild ungulates in the Trans-Himalaya. This study compares the seasonal diets and habitat use of sympatric wild naur Pseudois nayaur and domestic goat Capra hircus, sheep Ovis aries and free-ranging yak Bos grunniens in north Nepal and analyses their overlap both within and across seasons. Alpinemeadow and the legumes Oxytropis and Chesneya were critical resources for all animal groups. High overlap occurred cross-seasonally when smallstock (sheep and goats) in summer used the spring and autumn ranges of naur. Relatively high total ungulate biomass (3028 kg km-2) and low recruitment of naur (56 young per 100 adult females in autumn) suggested interspecific competition. The spatio-temporal heterogeneity in composition and phenology of food plants across the steep gradient of altitude, together with rotational grazing, appears to indirectly facilitate coexistence of naur and smallstock. However, owing to high crossseasonal (inter-seasonal) overlaps, competition is likely to occur between these two groups at high stocking densities. Within seasons, naur overlapped more with free-ranging yak than with smallstock. As their habitat use and diets were most similar in winter, when both fed extensively on the same species of shrubs, naur was most likely to compete with yak during that season.




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Call Number SLN @ rana @ 936 Serial 890
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Author Thapa, K., Jackson, R., Gurung, L, Acharya, H. B., Gurung, R. K.,
Title Applying the double observer methodology for assessing blue sheep population size in Nar Phu valley, Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal Type Journal Article
Year 2021 Publication Wildlife Biology Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-11
Keywords (up) blue sheep, density estimation, double observer counts, Nepal, Panthera uncia, prey abundance, Pseudois nayaur, snow leopard, viewshed mapping
Abstract This study was undertaken in spring, 2019 to assess the applicability of the double-observer survey method for estimating blue sheep Pseudois nayaur abundance in Nar-Phu valley of Manang District located in Annapurna Conservation Area of northern Nepal. Since counting large mammals in rugged mountain habitat poses a special challenge, we tested the efficacy of the double observer method for generating robust population estimates for this important protected area. The overall detection probability for observers (O1 and O2) was 0.94 and 0.91 for a total of 106 groups comprised of 2059 individual blue sheep. We estimated the area’s blue sheep population at 2070 (SE ± 168.77; 95% CI 2059–2405) for the 246.2 km2 of sampled habitat. We determined blue sheep to be widely distributed within the study area with a mean density of 8.4 individuals per km2 based on a total study area of 246.2 km2. We discuss demographic population structure and identify limitations when applying the double observer approach, along with recommending viewshed mapping for ensuring more robust density estimates of mountain-dwelling ungulates like blue sheep or ibex that inhabit extremely heterogeneous terrain which strongly influences sighting distances and overall animal detection rates.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1666
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