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Tytar, V., Hammer, M. (2011). Mountain ghosts: snow leopards and other animals in the mountains of the Altai Republic, Central Asia. Biosphere Expeditions.
Abstract: This study was part of an expedition to the Altai Mountains in the Kosh Agach region of the Altai Republic, run by Biosphere Expeditions from 28 June to 7 August 2010. The aim was to continue a survey of snow leopard (Uncia uncia) in this area, as well as surveying the snow leopard's primary prey species, argali (Ovis ammon) and Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), together with secondary prey species. Using the Snow Leopard Information Management System (SLIMS) developed by the International Snow Leopard Trust (ISLT), presence/absence surveys (SLIMS form 1) of snow leopard and prey species were conducted throughout the study period across the entire survey area. In 2010 surveys were extended to areas away from the Talduair massif site to valleys and surrounding ridges of the Karaghem mountain pass. Interviews with local, semi-nomadic herders also formed an important part of the research procedure. The expedition also collected data for extended mammal, bird and plant inventories. No signs of snow leopard presence were recorded this year and there was no indication that the areas had been visited and used since the 2009 expedition. The developing relationship between the predator and prey species seems to be very fragile, so perhaps the decline in the prey species (particularly argali) may have driven the snow leopard out of the area. In addition, human disturbance is considered to be a severe and growing threat and may be responsible for the declining mammal diversity in general. Yet the study area still retains its importance as a habitat for snow leopard and as a corridor for snow leopard dispersal. The survey area urgently needs protection, but involving the local community and raising public awareness is vital if conservation initiatives are to succeed. Work on establishing four additional nature parks in the Republic of Tuva and the Sailugem Nature Reserve in the Republic of Altai, which will protect the biggest Russian population of the snow leopard, is in progress.
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WWF Russia & Mongolia. (2011). WWF Newsletter Altai-Sayan Ecoregion January – March 2011. WWF Russia & Mongolia.
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Pandey, M. (2006). Status, habitat utilization, threats and conservation of musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster HODGSON 1839) in Lantang National Park, Central Nepal. Master's thesis, , Kathmandu, Nepal.
Abstract: “Status, habitat utilization, threats and Conservation of musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster Hodgson 1839) in Langtang National Park, Central Nepal” was carried out in Musk Deer Conservation Area of LNP.
The study was conducted spending more than 516 hours (16th February 2005 to 4th October 2005). The study applied the indirect method identifying 5 different blocks in the habitat for the status and habitat utilization of musk deer in LNP. It mainly deals with types of fecal deposits, distribution of those deposits in different topography and forests. The study also deals with other related evidences found in the study area.
Questionnaire survey provides the additional information regarding its threats and conservation. Forty-five different fecal deposits were found and 3 musk deer were sighted. Block B was found to be the appropriate habitat for musk deer. 68.8 percent of fecal deposits were recorded in Block B. Different types of fecal deposits found in Block B were very fresh and fresh (22.5%), old (38.7%) and very old (16.3%).
Thirty-three species of plants were recorded from the quadrates plotted in the study area. Among them Betula utilis was found the most dominant species . High percentage of fresh droppings were also recorded in Betula forest and maximum old deposits were recorded in mixed forest.
Animal trail was found preferred by musk deer. Forty percent of observed droppings were found on animal trail. Similarly, 8.88 percent of Relic sites were found in animal trail. High number of bedding sites were recorded in Betula and mixed
forest.
Questionnaire survey revealed that musk deer in Langtang National Park is in declining state. Seventy percent of the respondents agree about the poaching activity of musk deer in their area. Apart from this, tourists, local people and livestock are the major threats to musk deer in Langtang. High degree of habitat deterioration, livestock grazing, illegal hunting and predator such as Snow Leopard are the major threats in that area. Therefore, these issues have to be addressed for a long term survival of the endangered musk deer species in Langtang National Park.
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Tiwari, D. (2006). Status, habitat utilization and conservation of Himalayan Tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus (H. SMITH, 1826) in Lantang National Park, Central Nepal. Master's thesis, , Kathmandu, Nepal.
Abstract: This study was carried out in the Langtang National park which is situated in the Northern Part of Central Nepal. The research work on "Status, Habitat utilization and conservation of Himalayan Tahr in Langtang National Park was conducted during February to October of 2005. Altogether 468.55 hours and of 80 days with aimed to estimate the population status and Habitat utilization of Himalayan Tahr and to
recommend for appropriate management.
The study was carried out from Ghodatabela to Langsisa Kharka. The study area was divided into 5 survey blocks occupying a total of 25 sq. km. The fixed point count from ridge line vantage points were conducted for the Hamalayan Tahr count. Observed herds and individual were repeatedly counted and recorded. Local herders and key residents were interviewed. A total of 218 individuals of different age and sex Himalayan Tahr 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 adult male (25%). Survey revealed that 50 percent of Tahr herds were observed in 4200m – 4900m and least (12%) were in 3700-4000m. Animals were not located in 3850m – 4200m. Stratified random sampling was done to analyze the vegetation in their habitat and identified 47 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 to be vital as it is prime prey species of snow Leopard in Langtang National Park.
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Adhikari, J. N. (2004). Ecological Study of the Snow leopard Uncia uncia (Schreber, 1778) in Langtang National Park, Nepal. Master's thesis, , Kathmandu, Nepal.
Abstract: Nepal is a country of great natural beauty and of a rich cultural heritage. Nepal has always been a source of great attraction for her beautiful gifts mountains, landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hillsides and green villages serrated in the form of an endless series of terraces. The entire northern border has silvery peaks of Himalayas and the country is the home of perpetual snow (Majupuria and Majupuria 1999) while southern flank is green mountains of Mahabharata with different size valleys and river duns. Even further south lays fragile lower mountains of Churiya and a little Bhavar and Tarai flat land adjoining to India.
Nepal, a country having peculiar diverse fauna and flora lies between China on the north and India on the east, west and south. It stands on latitude 26°22' to 30°27' N north and its longitude is between 80°4' to 88°12'E east. Its altitude varies from 60 – 220 m in the south rising to north up to world highest peak of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) 8848 m. Nepal covers of 141,577 sq km land mass with a mean breadth of 200 km provides an opportunity of diverse climate zones from subtropical to nival with sharp microclimatic condition due to its topography. Within this small area, the country has all possible landform features of the earth except the volcanic and coral islands and marine (Sharma 1999). The country experience difference in climate, wild flora and fauna as variation bestowed to physiographic condition.
Nepal lies at the transition between the Palearctic and Indo-Malayan biogeographical realms that contributed a large biological diversity in the country. More than 144 species of spiders, 5052 species of insects, 635 species of butterflies, 2,253 species of moths are on the record. The vertebrates fauna also in diverse form; 184 species of fishes (31 families and 11 orders); 43 species of amphibians (one salamander, four toads and 38 frogs Species); 100 species of reptiles (24 lizards, 4 turtle, two crocodiles and 60 snakes species); 861 species of birds (18 orders); 181 species of mammals (12 orders and 39 families) (BPP 1995 (h), Chaudhary 1998, Majupuria and Majupuria 1998, Shrestha 2003).
There are 16 protected areas in Nepal and among them 3 conservation areas and 5 National Parks lies on northern mountainous zone. Langtang National Park (LNP) is in the central Himalayan region of Nepal, 132 km north of the capital, Kathmandu, bordering, in the northeast, Tibet autonomous region of China. Langtang Lirung (7,245m) is the highest point in the park while lowest elevations drop to about 1,000m on the banks of the BhoteKoshi-Trisuli River. LNP is the second largest mountain National Park of Nepal, which covers 1710 km2 in three districts: Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchowk of Bagmati zone in Nepal. LNP recorded 46 species of mammals including those typical of the area, such as pika, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan Thar, leopard, ghoral, serow, snow leopard, clouded leopard, musk deer and three species of monkeys; Rhesus monkeys, hanuman langur and Assamese monkeys (Chalise 2003). Besides above, 345 species of Birds, 11 species of Herpetofauna, 30 species of fishes, 58 species of butterflies and 10 species of spiders are also recorded (BPP 1995, Khatiwada 2002). My study is focused on one of rarest and protected mountain species, the Snow Leopard.
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Khatiwada, J. (2004). The status of Snow Leopard (Uncia Uncia Schreber 1778) and its conflict perception in Langtang National Park. Master's thesis, , Kathmandu, Nepal.
Abstract: Study Objectives The prime objective of the study was to collect basic ecological information on Snow Leopard and their prey species in Langtang National Park. The specific objectives of the study were :
1) To explore the status and distribution of Snow Leopard in the area.
2) To show the prey and predator relationship.
3) To find the extent and actual loss of livestock due to depredation by Snow Leopard.
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Hameed, S. (2010). Population status of the snow leopard and its conflict with local people in laspur valley, Chitral, Pakistan. Master's thesis, , Pakistan.
Abstract: The present study was designed to determine the status of snow leopard in Laspur valley, Chitral (Khyber Pakhtunkhawa) by using multiple census methods.
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Ashraf, N. (2010). Competition For Food Between Markhor And Domestic Goat In Chitral, Pakistan. Master's thesis, , Pakistan.
Abstract: The present study was, therefore, designed to collect data on feeding aspects of Markhor and domestic goat in Chitral area, in order to examine the extent of resource competition between two species. The objectives of study were;
To analyze the food composition of Markhor and domestic goat.
To determine the degree of competition between Markhor and domestic goat in terms of forage consumption.
To provide recommendation for managing Markhor habitat and reducing competition with domestic livestock.
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Khatoon, R. (2010). Snow leopard (uncia uncia) diet selection in the Chitral area. Master's thesis, , Pakistan.
Abstract: The present study will also show the dependence of snow leopard on wild prey versus domestic livestock as a food. This study will also help to estimate the highest livestock loss tends to occur in the areas due to which human and snow leopard conflict arises. As food selection varies according to the environment and availability of prey species therefore a diet study in local context would help to improve understanding of feeding ecology, and also provide scientific basis for effective conservation measures.
The objectives of the present study are
To determine the food preference of snow leopard in wild
To determine seasonal variation in selection of food by snow leopard.
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Paltsyn, M. (2010). Snow leopard status and conservation in Russia (update 20.
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