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Author Suryawanshi, K. R., Bhatia, S., Bhatnagar, Y. V., Redpath, S., Mishra, C url 
  Title Multiscale Factors Affecting Human Attitudes toward Snow Leopards and Wolves Type Journal Article
  Year 2014 Publication Conservation biology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 00 Issue Pages 1-10  
  Keywords Canis lupus, carnivore, human–wildlife conflicts, Panthera uncia, wildlife acceptance  
  Abstract The threat posed by large carnivores to livestock and humans makes peaceful coexistence between

them difficult. Effective implementation of conservation laws and policies depends on the attitudes of local

residents toward the target species. There are many known correlates of human attitudes toward carnivores,

but they have only been assessed at the scale of the individual. Because human societies are organized hierarchically, attitudes are presumably influenced by different factors at different scales of social organization, but this scale dependence has not been examined.We used structured interview surveys to quantitatively assess the attitudes of a Buddhist pastoral community toward snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and wolves (Canis lupus).

We interviewed 381 individuals from 24 villages within 6 study sites across the high-elevation Spiti Valley in

the Indian Trans-Himalaya. We gathered information on key explanatory variables that together captured

variation in individual and village-level socioeconomic factors.We used hierarchical linear models to examine how the effect of these factors on human attitudes changed with the scale of analysis from the individual to the community. Factors significant at the individual level were gender, education, and age of the respondent (for wolves and snow leopards), number of income sources in the family (wolves), agricultural production, and large-bodied livestock holdings (snow leopards). At the community level, the significant factors included the number of smaller-bodied herded livestock killed by wolves and mean agricultural production (wolves) and village size and large livestock holdings (snow leopards). Our results show that scaling up from the individual to higher levels of social organization can highlight important factors that influence attitudes of people toward wildlife and toward formal conservation efforts in general. Such scale-specific information can help managers apply conservation measures at appropriate scales. Our results reiterate the need for conflict management programs to be multipronged.
 
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  Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1417  
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Author Alexander, J., Chen, P., Damerell, P., Youkui, W., Hughes, J., Shi, K., Riordan, P. url 
  Title Human wildlife conflict involving large carnivores in Qilianshan, China and the minimal paw-print of snow leopards Type Journal Article
  Year 2015 Publication Biological Conservation Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 187 Issue Pages 1-9  
  Keywords Snow leopard Carnivores Livestock depredation Social attitudes China  
  Abstract In this paper, we assess local perceptions towards snow leopards in North West China using a framework

depicting key conflict domains. We describe the perceived threats posed to humans by the snow leopard

and set them within beliefs and attitudes towards other species within the large carnivore assemblage in

this region. Surveys were conducted in seven villages within Qilianshan National Nature Reserve, Gansu

Province, China, to document reports of snow leopard (Panthera uncia), grey wolf (Canis lupus), Eurasian

lynx (Lynx lynx) and brown bear (Ursus arctos) depredation of livestock, and local attitudes towards each

species. Questionnaire-based interviews were held with 60 households and 49 livestock herders. Herding

of yak, sheep and goats was found to be a common livelihood activity among households in all villages.

Herders reported losing livestock to all four carnivore species. Herders reported that depredation was the

most common event affecting livestock, compared with natural disasters or disease, and represented a

total loss of 3.6% of the livestock population during the previous year. Most (53%) depredation losses were

attributed to lynx, while snow leopards were held responsible for only 7.8% of depredation losses. The

reported impact of snow leopards on herding activities was relatively small and the majority of both

householders and herders expressed positive attitudes towards them and supported measures for their

protection. Households and herders held negative attitudes towards lynx, wolves and bears, however,

most likely due to their perceived threat to livestock and humans. Understanding community perceptions

of threats posed by wildlife is vital for gaining community support for, and engagement in, conflict

mitigation.
 
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  Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1422  
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Author Mishra, C., Suryawanshi, K. url 
  Title Managing conflicts over livestock depradation by Large Carnivores Type Book Chapter
  Year 2014 Publication SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION – Human-Wildlife Conflict in the Mountains of SAARC Region – Compilation of Successful Management Strategies and Practices Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 27-47  
  Keywords Snow leopard Panthera uncia, wolf Canis lupus, Himalayas, Central Asia  
  Abstract Managing wildlife-caused damage to human interests has become an important aspect of contemporary conservation management. Conflicts between pastoralism and carnivore conservation over livestock depredation pose a serious challenge to endangered carnivores worldwide, and have become an important livelihood concern locally. Here, we first review the primary causes of these conflicts, their socio-ecological correlates, and commonly employed mitigation measures. We then describe a community-based program to manage conflicts over livestock depredation by snow leopards Panthera uncia and wolves Canis lupus. A threats-based conceptual model of conflict management is presented. Conflicts over livestock depredation are characterized by complex, multi-scale interactions between carnivore and livestock behavioral ecology, animal husbandry, human psyche, culture, world-views, and socio-economic and education levels of affected peoples. A diversity of commonly employed conflict-mitigation measures is available. They aim at (i) reducing livestock depredation through better livestock herding, use of physical, chemical or psychological barriers, removal of carnivores, and use of livestock guard animals, (ii) offsetting economic losses through damage compensation and insurance programmes, and (iii) increasing peoples’ tolerance of carnivores through indirect approaches such as conservation education and economic incentives. For effective management, conflicts need to be understood along two important dimensions, viz., the reality of damage caused to humans, and the psyche and perceptions of humans who suffer wildlife caused damage. The efficacy of commonly used mitigation measures is variable. A combination of measures that reduce the level of livestock depredation, share or offset economic losses, and improve the social carrying capacity for carnivores will be more effective in managing conflicts than standalone measures  
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  Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1424  
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Author Tumursukh, L., Suryawanshi, K. R., Mishra, C., McCarthy, T. M., Boldgiv, B. url 
  Title Status of the mountain ungulate prey of the Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia in the Tost Local Protected Area, South Gobi, Mongolia Type Journal Article
  Year 2015 Publication Oryx Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 1-6  
  Keywords Argali, Central Asia, double-observer survey, ibex, Panthera uncia, snow leopard, ungulate prey  
  Abstract The availability of wild prey is a critical predictor of carnivore density. However, few conservation pro- grammes have focused on the estimation and monitoring of wild ungulate populations and their trends, especially in the remote mountains of Central Asia. We conducted double-observer surveys to estimate the populations of ibex Capra sibirica and argali Ovis ammon in the mountain- ous regions of Tost Local Protected Area, South Gobi prov- ince, Mongolia, which is being considered for designation as a Nature Reserve. We also conducted demographic surveys of the more abundant ibex to examine their sex-ratio and the survival of young during –. The estimated ibex population remained stable in  and  and the es- timated argali population increased from  in  to  in . The biomass of wild ungulates was c. % that of live- stock. Mortality in young ibex appeared to increase after weaning, at the age of  months. We estimated the popula- tion of wild ungulates was sufficient to support – adult snow leopards Panthera uncia. The adult snow leopard population in our study area during –, estimated independently using camera-trap-based mark–recapture methods, was –. Based on our results we identify the Tost Local Protected Area as an important habitat for the conservation of these ungulates and their predator, the Endangered snow leopard, and recommend elevation of its status to a Nature Reserve.  
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  Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1425  
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Author Alexander, J. S., Gopalswamy, A. M., Shi, K., Riordan, P. url  doi
  Title Face Value: Towards Robust Estimates of Snow Leopard Densities Type Journal Article
  Year 2015 Publication Plos One Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords Densities, Snow Leopard, Camera traps, Spatial Capture Recapture models  
  Abstract When densities of large carnivores fall below certain thresholds, dramatic ecological effects

can follow, leading to oversimplified ecosystems. Understanding the population status of

such species remains a major challenge as they occur in low densities and their ranges are

wide. This paper describes the use of non-invasive data collection techniques combined

with recent spatial capture-recapture methods to estimate the density of snow leopards

Panthera uncia. It also investigates the influence of environmental and human activity indicators

on their spatial distribution. A total of 60 camera traps were systematically set up during

a three-month period over a 480 km2 study area in Qilianshan National Nature Reserve,

Gansu Province, China. We recorded 76 separate snow leopard captures over 2,906 trapdays,

representing an average capture success of 2.62 captures/100 trap-days. We identified

a total number of 20 unique individuals from photographs and estimated snow leopard

density at 3.31 (SE = 1.01) individuals per 100 km2. Results of our simulation exercise indicate

that our estimates from the Spatial Capture Recapture models were not optimal to

respect to bias and precision (RMSEs for density parameters less or equal to 0.87). Our

results underline the critical challenge in achieving sufficient sample sizes of snow leopard

captures and recaptures. Possible performance improvements are discussed, principally by

optimising effective camera capture and photographic data quality.
 
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  Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1431  
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Author Alexander, J. S., Shi, K., Tallents, L. A., Riordan, P. url  doi
  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 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 Chen, P., Gao, Y., Lee, A. T. L., Cering, L., Shi, K., Clark, S. G. url 
  Title Human–carnivore coexistence in Qomolangma (Mt. Everest) Nature Reserve, China: Patterns and compensation Type Journal Article
  Year 2016 Publication Biological Conservation Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue 197 Pages 18-26  
  Keywords Conflict Compensation Human–carnivore coexistence Management Predation patterns Qomolangma Nature Reserve  
  Abstract Livestock depredation by large carnivores is frequently reported in Qomolangma (Mt. Everest) National Nature Reserve, Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Seeking to minimize conflicts, we assessed depredation patterns and ways to upgrade the compensation program. We gathered 9193 conflict records over 2011–2013 to determine the extent and tempo-spatial patterns of the depredation.Weinterviewed 22 local officials and 94 residents to learn their views on depredations and to assess the adequacy of compensation. Data showed that wolves (Canis lupus), lynx (Lynx lynx), and snowleopards (Panthera uncia)were themajor livestock predators. Total livestock

loss accounted for 1.2% of the entire stockholding (n=846,707) in the region. Wolves and lynx tended to take sheep and goats,whereas snowleopards favored yaks and cattle in relation to their proportional abundance. Predation mostly occurred in March through July. Livestock depredation by all predators when combined was best explained by terrain ruggedness and density of small- and large-bodied livestock. Temporal and spatial predation patterns variedamong carnivores.Most respondents (74%) attributed depredation causes to an increase in carnivore abundance. Only 7% blamed lax livestock herding practice for predation losses. Five percent said that

predation was the result of livestock population increases, while 11% had no idea. The compensation scheme was found to be flawed in all aspects—predation verification, application procedure, compensation standard, operational resource allocation, making payment, and other problems. To enhance management for human–carnivore coexistence, we recommend a problem-oriented, integrated, adaptive approach that targets the complex social context of the conflict and addresses the interconnected functions of decision-making process.
 
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  Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1435  
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Author Alexander, S., A., Zhang, C., Shi, K., Riordan, P. url 
  Title A granular view of a snow leopard population using camera traps in Central China Type Journal Article
  Year 2016 Publication Biological Conservation Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue 197 Pages 27-31  
  Keywords Snow leopard Camera trap China Density Monitoring  
  Abstract Successful conservation of the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia) relies on the effectiveness of monitoring programmes. We present the results of a 19-month camera trap survey effort, conducted as part of a longterm study of the snow leopard population in Qilianshan National Nature Reserve of Gansu Province, China. Weassessed the minimumnumber of individual snowleopards and population density across different sampling periods using spatial capture–recapture methods. Between 2013–2014, we deployed 34 camera traps across an area of 375 km2, investing a total of 7133 trap-days effort. Weidentified a total number of 17–19 unique individuals

from photographs (10–12 adults, five sub-adults and two cubs). The total number of individuals identified and estimated density varied across sampling periods, between 10–15 individuals and 1.46–3.29 snow leopards per 100 km2 respectively. We demonstrate that snow leopard surveys of limited scale and conducted over short sampling periods only present partial views of a dynamic and transient system.We also underline the challenges in achieving a sufficient sample size of captures and recaptures to assess trends in snow leopard population size and/or density for policy and conservation decision-making
 
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  Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1436  
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Author Alexander, J., S., Gopalaswamy, A., M., Shi, K., Hughes, J., Riordan, P. url  doi
  Title Patterns of Snow Leopard Site Use in an Increasingly Human-Dominated Landscape Type Journal Article
  Year 2016 Publication PLoS ONE Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 1-15  
  Keywords  
  Abstract Human population growth and concomitant increases in demand for natural resources pose threats to many wildlife populations. The landscapes used by the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and their prey is increasingly subject to major changes in land use. We aimed to assess the influence of 1) key human activities, as indicated by the presence of mining and livestock herding, and 2) the presence of a key prey species, the blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur), on probability of snow leopard site use across the landscape. In Gansu Province, China, we conducted sign surveys in 49 grid cells, each of 16 km2 in size, within a larger area of 3392 km2. We analysed the data using likelihood-based habitat occupancy models that explicitly account for imperfect detection and spatial auto-correlation between survey transect segments. The model-averaged estimate of snow leopard occupancy was high [0.75 (SE 0.10)], but only marginally higher than the naïve estimate (0.67). Snow leop- ard segment-level probability of detection, given occupancy on a 500 m spatial replicate, was also high [0.68 (SE 0.08)]. Prey presence was the main determinant of snow leopard site use, while human disturbances, in the form of mining and herding, had low predictive power. These findings suggest that snow leopards continue to use areas very close to such disturbances, as long as there is sufficient prey. Improved knowledge about the effect of human activity on large carnivores, which require large areas and intact prey populations, is urgently needed for conservation planning at the local and global levels. We highlight a number of methodological considerations that should guide the design of such research.  
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  Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1440  
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Author Alexander, J. S., Zhang, C., Shi, K., Riordan, P. url 
  Title A spotlight on snow leopard conservation in China Type Journal Article
  Year 2016 Publication Integrative Zoology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue 11 Pages  
  Keywords China, conservation, Panthera uncia, research prioritization  
  Abstract China holds the greatest proportion of the snow leopard’s (Panthera uncia) global range and is central to their conservation. The country is also undergoing unprecedented economic growth, which increases both the threats to the snow leopard and the opportunities for its conservation. In this paper we aim to review published literature (from 1950 to 2014) in English and Mandarin on snow leopard ecology and conservation in China in order to identify thematic and geographic research gaps and propose research priorities. We first retrieved all publish items that considered snow leopards in China (n = 106). We extracted from these papers 274 reports of snow leopard presence in China. We then reviewed a subset of papers (n = 33) of this literature, which specifically focused on snow leopard ecology and conservation within China. We introduced a thematic framework that allows a structured and comprehensive assessment of findings. This framework recognizes 4 critical and interrelated topics underpinning snow leopard ecology and conservation: habitat (distribution and protected area coverage); prey (distribution and abundance, predator–prey relationships); human interactions (hunting and trade, livestock interactions and conflicts); and the underlying policy context. Significant gains in knowledge as well as research gaps and priorities are discussed with reference to our framework. The modest quantity and limited scope of published research on the snow leopard in China calls for a continued and intensified effort to inform and support national conservation policies.  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1442  
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