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Author Chetri, M, Odden, M., Sharma, K., Flagstad, O., Wegge, P
Title Estimating snow leopard density using fecal DNA in a large landscape in north-central Nepal Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Global Ecology and Conservation Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue 17 Pages 1-8
Keywords (up) Panthera uncia, Density, Annapurna-Manaslu landscape, Noninvasive, Spatial scale
Abstract Although abundance estimates have a strong bearing on the conservation status of a

species, less than 2% of the global snow leopard distribution range has been sampled

systematically, mostly in small survey areas. In order to estimate snow leopard density

across a large landscape, we collected 347 putative snow leopard scats from 246 transects

(490 km) in twenty-six 5  5km sized sampling grid cells within 4393 km2 in Annapurna-

Manaslu, Nepal. From 182 confirmed snow leopard scats, 81 were identified as belonging

to 34 individuals; the remaining were discarded for their low (<0.625) quality index. Using

maximum likelihood based spatial capture recapture analysis, we developed candidate

model sets to test effects of various covariates on density and detection of scats on transects.

The best models described the variation in density as a quadratic function of

elevation and detection as a linear function of topography. The average density estimate of

snow leopards for the area of interest within Nepal was 0.95 (SE 0.19) animals per 100 km2

(0.66e1.41 95% CL) with predicted densities varying between 0.1 and 1.9 in different parts,

thus highlighting the heterogeneity in densities as a function of habitat types. Our density

estimate was low compared to previous estimates from smaller study areas. Probably,

estimates from some of these areas were inflated due to locally high abundances in overlap

zones (hotspots) of neighboring individuals, whose territories probably range far beyond

study area borders. Our results highlight the need for a large-scale approach in snow

leopard monitoring, and we recommend that methodological problems related to spatial

scale are taken into account in future snow leopard research.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1478
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Author Aruge, S., Batool, H., Khan, F. M., Abbas, F. I., Janjua, S
Title A pilot study&#65533;genetic diversity and population structure of snow leopards of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, using molecular techniques. Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication PeerJ Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue 7672 Pages 1-14
Keywords (up) Population, Genetics, Panthera uncia, Pakistan, Molecular markers
Abstract Background: The Hindu Kush and Karakoram mountain ranges in Pakistan&#65533;s northern areas are a natural habitat of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia syn. Uncia uncia) but the ecological studies on this animal are scarce since it is human shy by nature and lives in dif!cult mountainous tracts. The pilot study is conducted to exploit the genetic diversity and population structure of the snow leopard in this selected natural habitat of the member of the wildcat family in Pakistan.

Method: About 50 putative scat samples of snow leopard from !ve localities of Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan) along with a control sample of zoo maintained male snow leopard were collected for comparison. Signi!cant quality and quantity of genomic DNA was extracted from scat samples using combined Zhang&#65533;phenol&#65533;chloroform method and successful ampli!cation of cytochrome c oxidase I gene (190 bp) using mini-barcode primers, seven simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers and Y-linked AMELY gene (200 bp) was done.

Results: Cytochrome c oxidase I gene sequencing suggested that 33/50 (66%) scat samples were of snow leopard. AMELY primer suggested that out of 33 ampli!ed samples, 21 (63.63%) scats were from male and 12 (36.36%) from female leopards. Through successful ampli!cation of DNA of 25 out of 33 (75.75%) scat samples using SSR markers, a total of 68 alleles on seven SSR loci were identi!ed, showing low heterozygosity, while high gene "ow between population.

Discussion: The low gene flow rate among the population results in low genetic diversity causing decreased diversi!cation. This affects the adaptability to climatic changes, thus ultimately resulting in decreased population size of the species.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1491
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Author Kalashnikova, Y. A., Karnaukhov, A. S., Dubinin, M. Y., Poyarkov, A. D., Rozhnov, V. V.
Title POTENTIAL HABITAT OF SNOW LEOPARD (PANTHERA UNCIA, FELINAE) IN SOUTH SIBERIA AND ADJACENT TERRITORIES BASED ON THE MAXIMUM ENTROPY DISTRIBUTION MODEL Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume 98 Issue 3 Pages 332-342
Keywords (up) Snow leopard, irbis, Panthera uncia, Maxent, habitat model, potential habitat
Abstract The snow leopard is an endangered large felid inhabiting highlands of 12 Asian countries. It is distributed

across vast territories and adequate modern methods are required for mapping its potential habitats. The goal

of the present study is to create a model of snow leopard potential habitat within the northern part of its range

in Russia (and adjacent territories of Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan). More than 5 years of observations

(total number of presence points = 449), environmental variables and the maximum entropy distribution

method (Maxent) are used. The resulting map demonstrates that a suitable habitat (probability of the animal&#65533;s

presence between 0.5 and 1) of the northern population of snow leopard in Russia occupies 16500 km2

with a buffer of transient territories (probability between 0.25 and 0.49) covering 32800 km2. Most of a suitable

habitat within the study area is associated with the Altai Mountains, Western Sayan Mountains, Sangilen

Plateau, Tsagan-Shibetu and Shapshal. One third of the suitable habitat lies within areas of a varying protection

status. The results of modeling are of importance both for scientists and conservation managers, as they

allow for leopard occurrence to be predicted, supporting research on and the conservation of the species.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1480
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Author Maheshwari, A. , Sathyakumar, S.
Title Snow leopard stewardship in mitigating human-wildlife conflict in Hemis National Park, Ladakh, India Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Human Dimensions of Wildlife Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-5
Keywords (up) Snow leopard; human-wildlife conflict; ecotourism; livelihood; India
Abstract Among large predators, snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and co-predators (e.g., wolves

Canis lupus, lynx Lynx lynx) often cause economic losses, engendering animosity from

local communities in the mountain ecosystem across south and central Asia (Din et al.,

2017; Jackson & Lama, 2016; Maheshwari, Takpa, Kujur, & Shawl, 2010; Schaller, 2012).

These economic losses range from around US $50 to nearly $300 per household,

a significant sum given per capita annual incomes of $250 – $400 (Jackson & Wangchuk,

2004; Mishra, 1997). Recent efforts such as improved livestock husbandry practices

(predator-proof livestock corrals – closed night shelters with covered roof with wiremesh

and a closely fitting iron or wooden door that can be securely locked at night) and

community-based ecotourism (e.g., home stays, guides, porters, pack animals, campsites)

are providing alternative livelihood opportunities and mitigating large carnivores – human

conflict in the snow leopard habitats (Hanson, Schutgens, & Baral, 2018; Jackson, 2015;

Jackson & Lama, 2016; Vannelli, Hampton, Namgail, & Black, 2019). Snow leopard-based

ecotourism provides an opportunity to secure livelihoods and reduce poverty of the

communities living in ecotourism sites across Ladakh (Chandola, 2012; Jackson, 2015).

To understand the role of snow leopard-based ecotourism in uplifting the financial profile

of local communities, mitigating large carnivore – human conflict and eventually changing

attitudes towards large carnivores in Hemis National Park, Ladakh, India, we compared

the estimated financial gains of a snow leopard-based ecotourism to stated livestock

predation losses by snow leopards and wolves.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1484
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Author Esson, C. , Skerratt, L. F. , Berger, L. , Malmsten, J., Strand, T. , Lundkvist, A., Järhult, J. D., Michaux, J., Mijiddorj, T. N., , Bayrakçısmith, R., Mishra, C., Johansson, O
Title Health and zoonotic Infections of snow leopards Panthera unica in the South Gobi desert of Mongolia Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Infection Ecology & Epidemiology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 9 Issue 1604063 Pages 1-11
Keywords (up) Snow leopard; zoonoses; conservation; one health; Mongolia; ticks
Abstract Background: Snow leopards, Panthera uncia, are a threatened apex predator, scattered across the mountains of Central and South Asia. Disease threats to wild snow leopards have not been investigated.

Methods and Results: Between 2008 and 2015, twenty snow leopards in the South Gobi desert of Mongolia were captured and immobilised for health screening and radio-collaring. Blood samples and external parasites were collected for pathogen analyses using enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), microscopic agglutination test (MAT), and next- generation sequencing (NGS) techniques. The animals showed no clinical signs of disease, however, serum antibodies to significant zoonotic pathogens were detected. These patho- gens included, Coxiella burnetii, (25% prevalence), Leptospira spp., (20%), and Toxoplasma gondii (20%). Ticks collected from snow leopards contained potentially zoonotic bacteria from the genera Bacillus, Bacteroides, Campylobacter, Coxiella, Rickettsia, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.

Conclusions: The zoonotic pathogens identified in this study, in the short-term did not appear to cause illness in the snow leopards, but have caused illness in other wild felids. Therefore, surveillance for pathogens should be implemented to monitor for potential longer- term disease impacts on this snow leopard population.
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Call Number Serial 1625
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Author Jamtsho, Y., Katel, O.
Title Livestock depredation by snow leopard and Tibetan wolf: Implications for herders&#65533; livelihoods in Wangchuck Centennial National Park, Bhutan Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Springer Open Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue 9:1 Pages 1-10
Keywords (up) Wildlife-livestock conflicts, Endangered predators, Protected area, Income loss
Abstract Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a serious problem in many parts of the world, and Bhutan&#65533;s Wangchuck Centennial

National Park (WCNP) is no exception. Located in the remote alpine areas of the eastern Himalaya, wildlife species

such as snow leopard (SL) and Tibetan wolf (TW) are reported to kill livestock in many parts of the Park. Such

depredation is believed to have affected the livelihoods of high-altitude herding communities, resulting in conflicts

between them. This study provides analysis on the extent of livestock depredation by wildlife predators such as SL

and TW and examines its implications for the livelihoods of herding communities of Choekhortoe and Dhur regions

of WCNP. Using semi-structured questionnaires, all herders (n = 38) in the study area were interviewed. The questions

pertained to livestock population, frequency of depredation and income lost due to depredation in the last five years

from 2012 to 2016. This study recorded 2,815 livestock heads in the study area, with an average herd size of 74.1 stock.

The average herd size holding showed a decreasing trend over the years, and one of the reasons cited by the herders

is depredation by SL and TW and other predators. This loss equated to an average annual financial loss equivalent to

10.2% (US$837) of their total per capita cash income. Such losses have resulted in negative impacts on herders&#65533;

livelihood; e.g. six herders (2012-2016) even stopped rearing livestock and resorted to an alternate source of cash

income. The livestock intensification programmes, including pasture improvement through allowing controlled

burning, and financial compensation, may be some potential short-term solutions to reduce conflict between herders

and predators. Issuing permits for cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) collection only to the herders and instilling the

sense of stewardship to highland herders may be one of the long-term solutions.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1479
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