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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 Determining the composition of herbivore diets in the Trans-Himalayan rangelands: A comparison of field methods Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Journal of Rangeland Ecology and Management Abbreviated Journal
Volume 59 Issue 5 Pages 512-518
Keywords (up) bite count; Bos grunniens; Capra hircus; diet; fecal analysis; feeding site examination; food habits; free ranging; Nepal; Ovis aries; trans-himalayan
Abstract In late summer, in a semi-arid mountain range in Nepal, we compared 3 field methods for determining the botanical composition of herbivore diets. Data were collected from the same animals belonging to 1 herd of domestic yak (Bos grunniens) and 2 herds of mixed smallstock, consisting of domestic goats (Capra hircus) and sheep (Ovis aries). Bite count, feeding site examination, and microhistological analysis of feces gave different estimates of forage categories and plant species in both animal groups. Because yaks grazed in other vegetation communities when not observed for bite-counts and feeding signs, the results from the latter methods could not be compared directly with that from fecal analysis. In smallstock, feeding site examination gave higher estimates of graminoids and lower estimates of shrubs than the other 2 methods, probably because all feeding signs on shrubs were not detected. Bite-counts and fecal analysis gave comparable results, except that forbs were underestimated by fecal analysis, presumably due to their more complete digestion. Owing to the difficulty in collecting samples that are representative of the entire grazing period and the problem of recording feeding signs correctly, both feeding site examination and bite-counts are unsuitable methods for studying the food habits of free ranging domestic and wild herbivores. Microhistological analysis of feces appears to be the most appropriate method, but correction factors are needed to adjust for differential digestion. The systematic use of photomicrographs improves the speed and accuracy of the fecal analysis.
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Call Number SLN @ rana @ 935 Serial 889
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Author Thapa, K., Schmitt, N., Pradhan, N. M. B., Acharya, H. R., Rayamajhi, S.
Title No silver bullet? Snow leopard prey selection in Mt. Kangchenjunga, Nepal Type Journal Article
Year 2021 Publication Ecology and Evolution Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-13
Keywords (up) blue sheep, common leopard, fecal, genetic analysis, snow leopard, wolf, yak
Abstract In this study, we investigated the impact of domestic and wild prey availability on snow leopard prey preference in the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area of eastern Nepal-a region where small domestic livestock are absent and small wild ungulate prey are present. We took a comprehensive approach that combined fecal genetic sampling, macro- and microscopic analyses of snow leopard diets, and direct observation of blue sheep and livestock in the KCA. Out of the collected 88 putative snow leopard scat samples from 140 transects (290km) in 27 (4x4km2) sampling grid cells, 73 (83%) were confirmed to be from snow leopard. The genetic analysis accounted for 19 individual snow leopards (10 males and 9 females), with a mean population size estimate of 24 (95% CI: 19-29) and an average density of 3.9 snow leopards/100km2 within 609km2. The total available prey biomass of blue sheep and yak was estimated at 355,236 kg (505 kg yak/km2 and 78kg blue sheep/km2). From the available prey biomass, we estimated snow leopards consumed 7% annually, which comprised wild prey (49%), domestic livestock (45%). and 6% unidentified items. the estimated 47,736 kg blue sheep biomass gives a snow leopard-to-blue sheep ratio of 1:59 on a weight basis. The high preference of snow leopard to domestic livestock appears to be influenced by a much smaller available biomass of wild prey then in other regions of Nepal (e.g., 78kg/km2 in the KCA compared with a range of 200-300 kg/km2 in other regions of Nepal?. Along with livestock insurance scheme improvement, there needs to be a focus on improved livestock guarding, predator-proof corrals as well as engaging and educating local people to be citizen scientists on the importance of snow leopard conservation, involving them in long-term monitoring programs and promotion of ecotourism.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1665
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Author Suryawanshi, K. R., Khanyari, M., Sharma, K., Lkhagvajav, P., Mishra, C.
Title Sampling bias in snow leopard population estimation studies Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Population Eccology Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-9
Keywords (up) camera trap, Central Asia, Himalaya, meta-analysis, monitoring, Panthera uncia, population ecology
Abstract Accurate assessments of the status of threatened species and their conservation

planning require reliable estimation of their global populations and robust monitoring

of local population trends. We assessed the adequacy and suitability of studies

in reliably estimating the global snow leopard (Panthera uncia) population. We

compiled a dataset of all the peer-reviewed published literature on snow leopard

population estimation. Metadata analysis showed estimates of snow leopard density

to be a negative exponential function of area, suggesting that study areas have generally

been too small for accurate density estimation, and sampling has often been

biased towards the best habitats. Published studies are restricted to six of the

12 range countries, covering only 0.3�0.9% of the presumed global range of the

species. Re-sampling of camera trap data from a relatively large study site

(c.1684 km2) showed that small-sized study areas together with a bias towards

good quality habitats in existing studies may have overestimated densities by up to

five times. We conclude that current information is biased and inadequate for generating

a reliable global population estimate of snow leopards. To develop a rigorous

and useful baseline and to avoid pitfalls, there is an urgent need for

(a) refinement of sampling and analytical protocols for population estimation of

snow leopards (b) agreement and coordinated use of standardized sampling protocols

amongst researchers and governments across the range, and (c) sampling

larger and under-represented areas of the snow leopard's global range.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1477
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Author Jumabay, K., Wegge, P., Mishra, C., Sharma, K
Title Large carnivores and low diversity of optimal prey: a comparison of the diets of snow leopards Panthera uncia and wolves Canis lupus in Sarychat-Ertash Reserve in Kyrgyzstan Type Journal Article
Year 2013 Publication Oryx Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-7
Keywords (up) Canis lupus, Central Asia, food habits, intraguild competition, Panthera uncia, scat analysis
Abstract In the cold and arid mountains of Central Asia, where the diversity and abundance of wild ungulates

are generally low, resource partitioning among coexisting carnivores is probably less distinct than in prey-rich areas. Thus, similar-sized carnivores are likely to compete for food. We compared the summer diets of snow leopards Panthera uncia and wolves Canis lupus in Sarychat-Ertash Reserve in the Tien-Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, based on analysis of genetically confirmed scats. Abundances of

the principal prey species, argali Ovis ammon and Siberian ibex Capra sibirica, were estimated from field surveys. The diets consisted of few species, with high interspecific overlap (Pianka’s index50.91). Argali was the predominant prey, with .50% frequency of occurrence in both snow leopard and wolf scats. This was followed by Siberian ibex and marmots Marmota baibacina. Being largely unavailable, remains of livestock were not detected in any of the scats. In the snow leopard diet, proportions of argali and ibex were in

line with the relative availabilities of these animals in the Reserve. This was in contrast to the diet of wolf, where argali occurred according to availability and ibex was significantly underrepresented. The high diet overlap indicates that the two predators might compete for food when the diversity of profitable, large prey is low. Competition may be more intense in winter, when marmots are not available. Hunting of argali and ibex outside the Reserve may be unsustainable and therefore reduce their abundances over time. This will

affect both predators negatively and intensify competition for food. Reduction in ibex populations will directly affect the snow leopard, and the wolf is likely to be indirectly affected as a result of increased snow leopard predation of argali.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1397
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Author Shrestha, A., Thapa, K., Subba, S. A., Dhakal, M., Devkota, B. P., Thapa, G. J., Shrestha, S., Malla, S., Thapa, K.
Title Cats, canines, and coexistence: dietary differentiation between the sympatric Snow Leopard and Grey Wolf in the western landscape of Nepal Himalaya Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Journal of Threatened Taxa Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 7 Pages 13815-13821
Keywords (up) Canis lupus, dietary pattern, dietary overlap, livestock, Naur, negative interaction, Panthera uncia, scat analysis, sympatry
Abstract Understanding the dietary habits of sympatric apex carnivores advances our knowledge of ecological processes and aids their conservation. We compared the diets of the sympatric Snow Leopard Panthera uncia and Grey Wolf Canis lupus using standard micro-histological analyses of scats collected from the western complex of Nepal Himalaya. Our study revealed one of the highest recorded contributions of livestock to the diet of top predators (55% for Grey Wolf and 39% for Snow Leopard) and high dietary overlap (0.82) indicating potential exploitative or interference competition. Their diet composition, however, varied significantly based on their consumption of wild and domestic prey. Limitation in data precludes predicting direction and outcome of inter-specific interactions between these predators. Our findings suggest a high rate of negative interaction with humans in the region and plausibly retaliatory killings of these imperilled predators. To ensure the sustained survival of these two apex carnivores, conservation measures should enhance populations of their wild prey species while reducing livestock losses of the local community through preventive and mitigative interventions.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1485
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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 e14277 Pages 1-26
Keywords (up) 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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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1701
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Author Lovari, S., Boesi, R., Minder, I., Mucci, N., Randi, E., Dematteis, A., and Ale, S. B.
Title Restoring a keystone predator may endanger a prey species in a human-altered ecosystem: the return of the snow leopard to Sagarmatha National Park Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Animal Conservation Abbreviated Journal
Volume 12 Issue Pages 559-570
Keywords (up) conservation, food habits, genetics, Hemitragus jemlahicus, Himalayan tahr, management, microsatellite, predation, presence, scat, scat analysis, snow leopard, Uncia uncia
Abstract Twenty-five years ago, the snow leopard Uncia uncia, an endangered large cat, was eliminated from what is now Sagarmatha National Park (SNP). Heavy hunting pressure depleted that area of most medium-large mammals, before it became a park. After three decades of protection, the cessation of hunting and the recovery of wild ungulate populations, snow leopards have recently returned (four individuals). We have documented the effects of the return of the snow leopard on the population of its main wild prey, the Himalayan tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus, a 'near-threatened' caprin. Signs of snow leopard presence were recorded and scats were collected along a fixed trail (130 km) to assess the presence and food habits of the snow leopard in the Park, from 2004 to 2006. Himalayan tahr, the staple of the diet, had a relative occurrence of 48% in summer and 37% in autumn, compared with the next most frequent prey, musk deer Moschus chrysogaster (summer: 20%; autumn: 15%) and cattle (summer: 15%; autumn: 27%). In early summer, the birth rate of tahr (young-to-female ratio: 0.8-0.9) was high. The decrease of this ratio to 0.1-0.2 in autumn implied that summer predation concentrated on young tahr, eventually altering the population by removing the kid cohort. Small populations of wild Caprinae, for example the Himalayan tahr population in SNP, are sensitive to stochastic predation events and may be led to almost local extinction. If predation on livestock keeps growing, together with the decrease of Himalayan tahr, retaliatory killing of snow leopards by local people may be expected, and the snow leopard could again be at risk of local extinction. Restoration of biodiversity through the return of a large predator has to be monitored carefully, especially in areas affected by humans, where the lack of important environmental components, for example key prey species, may make the return of a predator a challenging event.
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Call Number SLN @ rana @ Serial 1122
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Author Hol, E.H.; Marden, T.
Title Methods for Sampling and Analysis to establish potential exposure of wildlife to persistent contaminants in remote areas Type Conference Article
Year 1994 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 279-287
Keywords (up) ecotoxicological; Himalaya; chemicals; pollution; contaminants; Blood; fur; Hair; scat; excrement; adipose; hair-analysis; browse; analysis; 3300
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Publisher Islt Place of Publication Usa Editor J.L.Fox; D.Jizeng
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Notes Full Text at URLTitle, Monographic: Seventh International Snow Leopard SymposiumPlace of Meeting: ChinaDate of Copyright: 1994 Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 225 Serial 386
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Author Brown, J.L.; Wasser, S.K.; Wildt, D.E.; Graham, L.H.
Title Steroid Metabolism and the Effectiveness of Fecal Assays for Assessing Reproductive Status in Felids Type Journal Article
Year 1994 Publication Biology of Reproduction Abbreviated Journal
Volume 50 Issue suppl 1 Pages 185
Keywords (up) fecal-analysis; breeding; reproduction; medicine; medical; zoo; zoos; veterinary; snow-leopard; snow leopard; browse; fecal; analysis; 1420
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Notes Twenty-seventh Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, July 24-27, 1994 Call Number: QP251 .B56 Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 203 Serial 197
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