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Sharma, K. (2008). The mysterious irbis. Sanctuary Asia, 28(6), 52–57.
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Anwar, M., Jackson, R., Nadeem, M., Janecka, J., Hussain, S., Beg, M., Muhammad, G., and Qayyum, M. (2011). Food habits of the snow leopard Panthera uncia (Schreber, 1775) in Baltistan, Northern Pakistan. European Journal of Wildlife Research, (3 March), 1–7.
Abstract: The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) inhabits the high, remote mountains of Pakistan from where very little information is available on prey use of this species. Our study describes the food habits of the snow leopard in the Himalayas and Karakoram mountain ranges in Baltistan, Pakistan. Ninety-five putrid snow leopard scats were collected from four sites in Baltistan. Of these, 49 scats were genetically confirmed to have originated from snow leopards. The consumed prey was identified on the basis of morphological characteristics of hairs recovered from the scats. It was found that most of the biomass consumed (70%) was due to domestic livestock viz. sheep (23%), goat (16%), cattle (10%), yak (7%), and cattle–yak hybrids (14%). Only 30% of the biomass was due to wild species, namely Siberian ibex (21%), markhor (7%), and birds (2%). Heavy predation on domestic livestock appeared to be the likely cause of conflict with the local inhabitants. Conservation initiatives should focus on mitigating this conflict by minimizing livestock losses.
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Shrestha, B., Kindlmann, P. (2011). Interactions between the Himalayan tahr, livestock and snow leopards in the Sagarmatha National Park. Himalayan Biodiversity in the Changing World, .
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Karanth, K. U., Nichols, J.D., Seidensticker, J., Dinerstein, E., David Smith, J.L., McDougal, C., Johnsingh, A.J.T., Chundawat, R.S., Thapar, V. (2003). Science deficiency in conservation practice: the monitoring of tiger populations in India. Animal Conservation, 6, 141–146.
Abstract: Conservation practices are supposed to get refined by advancing scientific knowledge. We study this phenomenon in the context of monitoring tiger populations in India, by evaluating the ‘pugmark census method’ employed by wildlife managers for three decades. We use an analytical framework of modern animal population sampling to test the efficacy of the pugmark censuses using scientific data on tigers and our field observations. We identify three critical goals for monitoring tiger populations, in order of increasing sophistication: (1) distribution mapping, (2) tracking relative abundance, (3) estimation of absolute abundance. We demonstrate that the present census-based paradigm does not work because it ignores the first two simpler goals, and targets, but fails to achieve, the most difficult third goal. We point out the utility and ready availability of alternative monitoring paradigms that deal with the central problems of spatial sampling and observability. We propose an alternative sampling-based approach that can be tailored to meet practical needs of tiger monitoring at different levels of refinement.
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WWF Russia & Mongolia. (2011). WWF Newsletter Altai-Sayan Ecoregion January – March 2011. WWF Russia & Mongolia.
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Namgail, T., Bagchi, S. Bhatnagar, Y.V., Wangchuk, R. (2005). Occurrence of the Tibetan Sand Fox Vulpes Ferrilata Hodgson in Ladakh: A new record for the Indian subcontinent. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 102(2), 217–219.
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Namgail, T. (2003). Gya-Miru: last refuge of the Tibetan argali. Sanctuary Asia, 23, 16–21.
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Devendra, T. & C., M. (2010). Population and habitat of Himalayan thar (Hemitragus jemlahicus) in Langtang Himalaya, Langtang National Park (LNP), Nepal. Special issue on the occasion of 15th Wildlife Week, (2067), 37–46.
Abstract: A survey of Himalayan Thar was carried out in Langtang valley in response to the lacking of scientific information of its population status and distribution in the area. The study was carried out from Ghodatabela to Langsisa Kharka during April to June of 2003/04/2005. The area was divided into 5 survey blocks measuring 5sqkm each and study was conducted through blocks. Observed herds and individual animals were repeatedly counted and recorded. A total of 218 individuals of different age and sex Himalayan Thar were recorded during the study in 8 different herds. Three types of herds were recognized; Adult male-adult female-young (37.5%), Adult female-young (37.5%) and All adult-male (25%). Survey revealed that 50% of Thar herds were observed in 4200-4900m (Fourth block) and least (12%) were in 3700-4000m (First block), animals were not located in 3850-4200m (Third, Fifth block). Stratified random sampling was done to analyze the vegetation in their habitat and identified 26 potential plant species. The encroachment of their habitat is severe by the excessive livestock grazing and utilization for cowshed. Noticeable disturbance felt due to frequent poaching and tourist flow. The conservation of this species seems vital as it is prime prey species of Snow leopard in LNP.
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Padmanabhan, S. (2011). Rinchen Wangchuk – (1969-2011). Sanctuary Asia, .
Abstract: On March 26, 2011, the world of conservation became poorer by the passing away of Rinchen Wangchuk, the Founder and Director of the Snow Leopard Conservancy-India Trust (SLC-IT) in Leh. Rinchen had been ill for the past three years, having been diagnosed with a deteriorating neurological condition for which traditional medical systems and allopathy have no cure yet. Over the past decade, Rinchen, affectionately referred to as the “snow leopard man” by friends, had played a pivotal role in Ladakh, having initiated one of the most successful community-based initiatives that had changed local people’s perceptions of predators like the snow leopard and Tibetan wolf from “pests” to a valued asset.
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Jackson, R., Wangchuk, R. (2000). People-wildlife conflicts in the trans-Himalaya. (pp. 1–10).
Abstract: Wildlife-related crop and livestock damage is emerging as a leading source of conflict between local communities, protected areas and park managers throughout India and the Himalayan region (Kharel 1997, Mishra 1997, Saberwal et al. 1994 and Sekhar 1998). For example, a comprehensive household-level survey of herders living in Nepal’s Annapurna Conservation Area suggested that predation accounted for 63% of all livestock mortality over a 18-24 month period, mostly attributable to snow leopard (Jackson et al. 1996). Oli et al. (1994) reported the predation rate at 2.6% of the stockholding, with losses representing as much as 25% of the average household’s per capita income. Hardly surprisingly, most local people held strongly negative attitudes toward snow leopard and wolf. In the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in Lahaul-Spiti, Mishra (1997) reported that 18% of the livestock holding were killed over a 18 month period, amounting to 1.6 animals per household perannum, with an estimated total value of US $ 128 per family per year. Villages received compensationin only 28 of 131 reported cases. According to local residents, predation rates in the sanctuary had increased markedly since its establishment. Mishra (1997) attributes this to a dramatic increase in livestock numbers accompanying a shift rom subsistence to a more commercially-based animal husbandry pattern.
The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of livestock damage from wild carnivores and how protected area managers could best approach this contentious issue. The author uses Hemis National Park as a case study example, focusing on baseline information gathering, and past, current and proposed remedial actions for reducing losses and compensating livestock owners.
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