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Weiskopf, S. R., Kachel, S. M., McCarthy, K. P. (2016). What Are Snow Leopards Really Eating? Identifying Bias in Food-Habit Studies. Wildlife Society Bulletin, , 1–8.
Abstract: Declining prey populations are widely recognized as a primary threat to snow leopard (Panthera
uncia) populations throughout their range. Effective snow leopard conservation will depend upon reliable knowledge of food habits. Unfortunately, past food-habit studies may be biased by inclusion of nontarget species in fecal analysis, potentially misinforming managers about snow leopard prey requirements. Differentiation between snow leopard and sympatric carnivore scat is now cost-effective and reliable using genetics. We used fecal mitochondrial DNA sequencing to identify scat depositors and assessment bias in snow leopard food-habit studies. We compared presumed, via field identification, and genetically confirmed snow leopard scats collected during 2005 and 2012 from 4 sites in Central Asia, using standard forensic microscopy to identify prey species. Field identification success varied across study sites, ranging from 21% to 64% genetically confirmed snow leopard scats. Our results confirm the importance of large ungulate prey for snow leopards. Studies that fail to account for potentially commonplace misidentification of snow leopard scat may mistakenly include a large percentage of scats originating from other carnivores and report inaccurate dietary assessments. Relying on field identification of scats led to overestimation of percent occurrence, biomass, and number of small mammals consumed, but underestimated values of these measures for large ungulates in snow leopard diet. This clarification suggests that the conservation value of secondary prey, such as marmots (Marmota spp.) and other small mammals, may be overstated in the literature; stable snow leopard populations are perhaps more reliant upon large ungulate prey than previously understood. |
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Filla, M., Lama, R. P., Filla, T., Heurich, M., Balkenhol, N., Waltert, M., Khorozyan, I. (2022). Patterns of livestock depredation by snow leopards and effects of intervention strategies: lessons from the Nepalese Himalaya. Wildlife Research, .
Abstract: Context: Large carnivores are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities, and their protection is among the main goals of biodiversity conservation. The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) inhabits high-mountain landscapes where livestock depredation drives it into conflicts with local people and poses an obstacle for its conservation.
Aims: The aim of this study was to identify the livestock groups most vulnerable to depredation, target them in implementation of practical interventions, and assess the effectiveness of intervention strategies for conflict mitigation. We present a novel attempt to evaluate intervention strategies for particularly vulnerable species, age groups, time, and seasons. Methods: In 2020, we conducted questionnaire surveys in two regions of the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal (Manang, n = 146 respondents and Upper Mustang, n = 183). We applied sample comparison testing, Jacobs’ selectivity index, and generalised linear models (GLMs) to assess rates and spatio-temporal heterogeneity of depredation, reveal vulnerable livestock groups, analyse potential effects of applied intervention strategies, and identify husbandry factors relevant to depredation. Key results: Snow leopard predation was a major cause of livestock mortality in both regions (25.4–39.8%), resulting in an estimated annual loss of 3.2–3.6% of all livestock. The main intervention strategies (e.g. corrals during night-time and herding during daytime) were applied inconsistently and not associated with decreases in reported livestock losses. In contrast, we found some evidence that dogs, deterrents (light, music playing, flapping tape, and dung burning), and the use of multiple interventions were associated with a reduction in reported night-time depredation of yaks. Conclusions and implications: We suggest conducting controlled randomised experiments for quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of dogs, deterrents, and the use of multiple interventions, and widely applying the most effective ones in local communities. This would benefit the long-term co-existence of snow leopards and humans in the Annapurna region and beyond. |
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Ale, S., Shrestha, B., and Jackson, R. (2014). On the status of Snow Leopard Panthera Uncia (Schreber 1775) in Annapurna, Nepal. Journal of Threatened Taxa, (6(3)), 5534–5543.
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Natalia, E., Sergey, N., Vyacheslav, R., Fedor, V., Antonio, H. B. J., Andrey, P., Alexander, K., Ekaterina, P. (2017). HELMINTHS OF RARE FELINE SPECIES (FELIDAE) IN SIBERIA AND THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST. International Journal of Research In, , 70–74.
Abstract: Parasites diversity in close-related species of hosts may be different depending on habitat use and climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to
analyze parasites fauna in four felid species inhabiting Russian Far East and South Siberia (including taiga forest and mountain treeless areas). We have collected 272 feces samples of four felid species: Amur tiger, Amur leopard, snow leopard and Pallas� cat. Helminths (eggs and larvae) in excrements were studied by flotation using a saturated solution of ammonium nitrate. We have described 10 helminths species in Amur tiger feces, 6 � in Amur leopard, 2 � in snow leopard and 3 � in Pallas� cat. Obviously, snow leopard and Palls� cat had lower helminths diversity than two other species. These differences can be explained, to some extent, by climatic parameters. The climate in the snow leopard and Pallas' cat habitats is described by sharp and significant temperature fluctuations – the annual temperature difference can exceed 90°C, which may lead to lower survival of the number of infectious agents in Pallas' cat excrements. In addition, the snow cover that can protect helminth eggs and larvae from the cold temperatures especially in Amur tiger and Amur leopard habitats. Possibly, another important factor is the spatial and social organization of Pallas' cats, with a low frequency of contacts with other individuals. Such way, species-specific differences in helminths were related, probably, with the species evolution in different habitats |
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Xiao, L., Hua, F., Knops, J. M. H., Zhao, X., Mishra, C., Lovari, S., Alexander, J. S., Weckworth, B., Lu, Z. (2022). Spatial separation of prey from livestock facilitates coexistence of a specialized large carnivore with human land use. Animal Conservation, , 1–10.
Abstract: There is an increasing emphasis in conservation strategies for large carnivores on facilitating their coexistence with humans. Justification for coexistence strategies should be based on a quantitative assessment of currently remaining large carnivores in human-dominated landscapes. An essential part of a carnivore’s coexistence strategy has to rely on its prey. In this research, we studied snow leopards Panthera uncia whose habitat mainly comprises human-dominated, unprotected areas, to understand how a large carnivore and its primary prey, the bharal Pseudois nayaur, could coexist with human land use activities in a large proportion of its range. Using a combination of livestock census, camera trapping and wildlife surveys, across a broad gradient of livestock grazing intensity in a 363 000 km2 landscape on the Tibetan Plateau, we found no evidence of livestock grazing impacts on snow leopard habitat use, bharal density and spatial distribution, even though livestock density was 13 times higher than bharal density. Bharal were found to prefer utilizing more rugged habitats at higher elevations with lower grass forage conditions, whereas livestock dominated in flat valleys at lower elevations with higher productivity, especially during the resource-scarce season. These findings suggest that the spatial niche separation between bharal and livestock, together with snow leopards’ specialized bharal diet, minimized conflicts and allowed snow leopards and bharal to coexist in landscapes dominated by livestock grazing. In recent years, reduced hunting and nomadic herder’s lifestyle changes towards permanent residence may have further reinforced this spatial separation. Our results indicated that, for developing conservation strategies for large carnivores, the niche of their prey in relation to human land-use is a key variable that needs to be evaluated.
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(1978). Miraki Reservation, Chatkal Reservation.
Abstract: It describes history of the Miraki and Chatkal nature reserves' establishment and provides data concerning area, landscapes, altitude zoning, flora and fauna as well as natural monuments.
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(2002). Biological resources.
Abstract: It provides a summary of plant and animal resources in Uzbekistan. Among 15,000 animal species, 664 are vertebrate species including 424 bird, 97 mammal, 83 fish, 59 reptile and three amphibian species. Snow leopard, snow cock, ibex, and other species are typical for highlands.
Keywords: Uzbekistan; biodiversity; vertebrates; snow leopard.; 6290; Russian
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(2002). Special protected areas (nature reserves, natural and national parks, zakazniks, natural monuments).
Abstract: The list and brief description of existing protected areas of Uzbekistan are given. The snow leopard recorded in Chatkal and Hissar nature reserves.
Keywords: Uzbekistan; protected areas; snow leopard.; 8320; Russian
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Abdunazarov B.B. (2002). Biodiversity of mammals in the Western Tien Shan and its conservation.
Abstract: The mammal fauna of Uzbekistan's mountain ecosystems is represented by some 60 species. Data on mammal species composition in the Western Tien Shan (48 species) and Pamir-Alai (57 species) is given. A quantity of species endemic to the mountainous ecosystems of Uzbekistan is defined. Quantities of nine rare species inhabiting the mountain ecosystems, including snow leopard, are given. Number of snow leopard in Pamir-Alai and the Western Tien Shan is estimated to be 30-50 animals.
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Abdunazarov B.B. (1994). Rare and endangered animal species in the Kashkadaraya region.
Abstract: 41 percent of all vertebrate species listed in the Red Book of the Uzbek SSR (18 mammal species, 29 bird, 6 reptile, and 8 fish species) inhabit the Kashkadarya region. The mammals are Tien Shan brown bear, Central Asian otter, Turkistan lynx, snow leopard, and goitered gazelle. Nesting bird fauna includes the following species: black stork, Turkistan white stork, short toed eagle, booted eagle, golden eagle, bearded vulture, black vulture, griffon vulture, saker falcon, houbara bustard, and eagle owl. Migrating and wintering bird species are dalmatian pelican, rose pelican, mute swan, osprey, tawny eagle, imperial eagle, pin-tailed sandgrouse; and possibly Bonnli's eagle and Barbary falcon that have not been seen here since 1950-s. Rare reptiles are represented by two species: desert monitor and Central Asian cobra.
Keywords: Uzbekistan; Kashkadarya region; rare species; mammals; birds; reptiles; fishes; snow leopard.; 5760; Russian
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