Smirnov, M. N., Sokolov, G. A., & Zyryanov, A. N. (1990). The Snow Leopard (Uncia Uncia Scherber 1776) in Siberia. Int.Nat.Ped.Book of Snow Leopards, 6, 9–15.
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Zhirjakov, V. A. (1990). On the ecology of the snow leopard in the Zailisky-Alatau (Northern Tien Shan). Int Ped Book of Snow Leopards, 6, 25–30.
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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. (2019). Health and zoonotic Infections of snow leopards Panthera unica in the South Gobi desert of Mongolia. Infection Ecology & Epidemiology, 9(1604063), 1–11.
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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Esson, C., Samelius, G., Strand, T. M., Lundkvist, A., Michaux, J. R., Rasback, T., Wahab, T., Mijiddorj, T. N., Berger, L., Skerratt, L. F., Low, M. (2023). The prevalence of rodent-borne zoonotic pathogens in the South Gobi desert region of Mongolia. Infection Ecology & Epidemiology, 13(2270258), 1–10.
Abstract: The alpine ecosystems and communities of central Asia are currently undergoing large-scale ecological and socio-ecological changes likely to affect wildlife-livestock-human disease interactions and zoonosis transmission risk. However, relatively little is known about the prevalence of pathogens in this region. Between 2012 and 2015 we screened 142 rodents in Mongolia’s Gobi desert for exposure to important zoonotic and livestock pathogens. Rodent seroprevalence to Leptospira spp. was>1/3 of tested animals, Toxoplasma gondii and Coxiella burnetii approximately 1/8 animals, and the hantaviruses being between 1/20 (Puumala-like hantavirus) and<1/100 (Seoul-like hantavirus). Gerbils trapped inside local dwellings were one of the species seropositive to Puumala-like hantavirus, suggesting a potential zoonotic transmission pathway. Seventeen genera of zoonotic bacteria were also detected in the faeces and ticks collected from these rodents, with one tick testing positive to Yersinia. Our study helps provide baseline patterns of disease prevalence needed to infer potential transmission between source and target populations in this region, and to help shift the focus of epidemiological research towards understanding disease transmission among species and proactive disease mitigation strategies within a broader One Health framework.
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Maity, B., Chakraborty, G., & Pradhan, K. K. (1994). Toxocariasis in snow leopard (Panthera unica). Indian Veterinary Journal, 71(5), 499–501.
Abstract: Spontaneous occurrence of toxocariasis (Toxocaracati) in captive snow leopards with symptoms of diarrhoea, general malaise, letherapy, dehydration, partial or complete anorexia, vomiting with or without expulsion of the ascarid is reported. Response to anthelmintic drug pyrantal pamoate along with antibacterial drug sulphadimethyl pyrimidine and supportive therapy is recorded.
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Namgail, T. (2005). Winter birds of the Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Indian Birds, 1(2), 26–28.
Abstract: A survey of the winter birds of the Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary in the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, India was carried out between December 2002 and March 2003. 30 species were recorded, constituting 60% of the total resident species in Ladakh excluding Nubra Valley, and 10% of the total birds recorded in Ladakh (11% of the post-1960 records). 29 species (97%) of the birds recorded breed in Ladakh, while one, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos is a passage migrant. The most noteworthy sightings were four species of pheasants (Phasianidae) and two of owls (Strigidae). A preliminary assessment of the potential threats to the birds in the reserve was made. This is the first avifaunal survey of the reserve, and has implications for assessing the importance of the area for bird protection.
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Chundawat, R. S. (1997). Elusive leopard of the mountains. In R. Manfredi (Ed.), In Danger: habitats, species and people (pp. 11–17). New Delhi, India: Ranthambhore Foundation.
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Swanson, W. F. (2003). Research in Nondomestic Species: Experiences in Reproductive Physiology Research for Conservation of Endangered Felids (Vol. 4).
Abstract: Tremendous strides have been made in recent years to broaden our understanding of reproductive processes in nondomestic felid species and further our capacity to use this basic knowledge to control and manipulate reproduction of endangered cats. Much of that progress has culminated from detailed scientific studies conducted in nontraditional laboratory settings, frequently at collaborating zoological parks but also under more primitive conditions, including in the field. A mobile laboratory approach is described, which incorporates a diverse array of disciplines and research techniques. This approach has been extremely useful, especially for conducting gamete characterization and function studies as well as reproductive surveys, and for facilitating the development of assisted reproductive technology. With continuing advances in assisted reproduction in rare felids, more procedures are being conducted primarily as service-related activities, targeted to increase effectiveness of species propagation and population management. It can be a challenge for both investigators and institutional animal care and use committees (IACUCs) to differentiate these service-based procedures from traditional research studies (that require IACUC oversight). For research with rare cat species, multi-institutional collaboration frequently is necessary to gain access to scientifically meaningful numbers of study subjects. Similarly, for service-based efforts, the ability to perform reproductive procedures across institutions under nonstandard laboratory conditions is critical to applying reproductive sciences for managing and preserving threatened cat populations. Reproductive sciences can most effectively assist population management programs (e.g., Species Survival Plans) in addressing conservation priorities if these research and service- related procedures can be conducted “on the road” at distant national and international locales. This mobile laboratory approach has applications beyond endangered species research, notably for other scientific fields (e.g., studies of hereditary disease in domestic cat models) in which bringing the laboratory to the subject is of value.
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Maheshwari, A., Midha, N., Chehrukupalli, A. (2014). Participatory Rural Appraisal and Compensation Intervention: Challenges and Protocols While Managing Large Carnivore–Human Conflict. Human Dimensions of Wildlife: An International Journal, 19, 62–71.
Abstract: When large carnivores cause socioeconomic losses in a community, conflict increases,
retaliatory killing of the carnivore can occur, and conservation efforts are undermined.
We focused on Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and economic compensation
schemes as approaches for managing conflict. PRA is a tool for collecting data on
the large carnivore–human conflict and economic compensation schemes for those
affected negatively by carnivore presence. We reviewed published papers and reports
on large carnivore–human conflicts, PRA, and compensation schemes. This article
details insights into common pitfalls, key lessons learned, possible solutions including
new approaches for compensation and protocols to be followed while managing large
carnivore–human conflict. We hope to contribute to a meaningful dialogue between
locals, managers, and researchers and help in effective implementation of conservation
programs to mitigate large carnivore–human conflict around the protected areas.
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Hanson, J. H., Schutgens, M., Baral, N. What explains tourists support for snow leopard conservation in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal? Human Dimensions of Wildlife, , 1–15.
Abstract: Wildlife tourism is increasingly important for the conservation of
threatened species such as snow leopards. However, what tourists
know or value about snow leopards, and to what extent they support
the conservation of this species, has received limited empirical attention.
This paper investigates tourist knowledge about snow leopards,
beliefs and values toward the species, and support for its conservation
in the Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal. Survey data were
collected from 406 foreign tourists between March and May 2014.
Although knowledge about snow leopards varied among respondents,
there was widespread support for their conservation.
Knowledge about snow leopards was best explained by education
level and environmental organization membership. Improved knowledge
about the species, and a variety of intrinsic conservation values,
were found to increase tourist support for snow leopard conservation.
These results provide important insights to help tailor tourism
initiatives to support the conservation of snow leopards.
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