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Author Mallon, D.
Title (up) Trophy Hunting of Cites-Listed Species in Central Asia Type Report
Year 2013 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords
Abstract Executive Summary:

The report is part of a project aiming to strengthen capacities to implement CITES, especially in

Central Asia and to satisfy the CITES‐related requirements of trading partners, to prevent

overexploitation and to ensure legal international trade in wild fauna and flora does not exceed

sustainable levels. The objective is to enhance the policies and regulations concerning trophy

hunting in selected range States of the Argali Ovis ammon: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian

Federation, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and to provide a framework for the establishment of

sustainable hunting programmes that support conservation. This report is focused on the relevance

of trophy hunting for conservation and associated local livelihoods.

Sustainable use of biological diversity is an integral part of the Convention on Biodiversity (1992) and

is seen as a valuable tool in conserving biological diversity. The Addis Ababa Principles and Guidelines

(AAPG) set out the basis for sustainable use of natural resources. The IUCN SSC1 Guiding Principles on

Trophy Hunting as a Tool for Creating Conservation Incentives, and the European Charter on Hunting

and Biodiversity provide further guidance on the sustainability of trophy hunting, including on highly

threatened species. The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) together

with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has also developed Best

Practice Guidelines for trophy hunting.

All five project countries are Parties to CITES, except Tajikistan, which has begun the accession

process. Argali are the focus of the trophy hunting in the region and they represent the most

expensive trophy in the five project countries. Other CITES‐listed hunting species are Brown Bear

Ursus arctos, Wolf Canis lupus, Musk Deer Moschus moschiferus, Eurasian Lynx Lynx lynx (all mainly

in Russia) and Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata. Markhor Capra falconeri and Urial Ovis

orientalis have also been hunted at times but are not the object of regular trophy hunting

programmes at present. Other widely hunted species are not listed in the CITES Appendices.

A recent analysis by TRAFFIC of the CITES trade database showed that 10 245 hunting trophy items

from species listed in the CITES Appendices were exported from the project countries between 2000

and 2010. Almost all trophy items consisted of Argali, Brown Bear and Wolf. Most were exported

from Russia (9473 trophies), with smaller numbers from Tajikistan (705), Kyrgyzstan (668), and

Kazakhstan (126), and 13 from Uzbekistan.

In the region, wildlife is generally the property of the State, which awards rights to use it to

individuals or other entities. National legislation covering hunting and wildlife protection may refer

to sustainable use but this is undefined. The legal rights of local communities are also not generally

specified. FAO and CIC produced a review of national legislation that set out in detail the basic

principles of sustainable wildlife management laws (2008). One of the main findings was that

legislative frameworks in the region frequently consisted of different legal instruments that were not

always harmonized and sometimes overlapped. In some cases, there was also a lack of institutional

clarity, with overlapping jurisdictions among different agencies.

Poaching for meat and trophies or commercial products is a significant factor across the whole

region, negatively affecting all the main hunting species, as well as protected species. Wild

populations have been reduced, sometimes drastically so. Poaching of Argali and other mountain

ungulates may be carried out by military or border personnel and is not restricted to areas outside

formal nature reserves: indeed, law enforcement and protected area staff are sometimes complicit

in illegal hunting, driven in part by the very low salaries. There are numerous recent examples of

poaching and illegal trade in trophies of CITES‐listed species. The actual level of illegal off‐take is

unknown. Known cases may represent a very small fraction of the real total. The wildlife

conservation sector is under‐resourced across the region with a lack of funding, trained personnel,

transport and other equipment severely limiting the effectiveness of anti‐poaching efforts.

Memoranda of Understanding under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS MoUs) and their

associated action plans for Saiga Saiga tatarica and Bukhara Deer Cervus elaphus bactrianus have

proven to be effective instruments in facilitating species recovery. A CMS Single Species Action Plan

for Argali is in preparation (Roettger & Singh, in prep) and will provide a framework for conservation.

Trophy hunting in the region is predominantly organized on a commercial basis. Community‐based

hunting initiatives in the region are in their infancy and face some legal and institutional obstacles.

There are however promising developments: for example, five community‐based NGOs in Tajikistan

are managing wildlife in legally assigned areas and three of them have hosted hunting clients (on

non‐CITES species). Well‐developed community‐based trophy hunting programmes operate in

Pakistan, targeted at Markhor Capra falconeri which is listed in CITES Appendix I, and in Namibia,

which is widely seen as a leader in such programmes, and while the specific conditions and sociopolitical

background of both differ in several ways from those in the region, they nonetheless

provide instructive guidance on the principles of successful community conservancy organization.

There is an extensive literature on trophy hunting, its potential to contribute to conservation of

biodiversity and local livelihoods, and the potential negative effects of selective harvesting on

species. The consensus view seems to be that selective harvest of trophy‐age males does not impact

negatively in the short term, if only a low proportion of the available trophy‐age individuals are

harvested, but uncontrolled harvest can lead to a decline in horn size and thus trophy quality, as well

as have negative demographic effects. Trophy hunting programmes raise substantial revenues in

some African countries, and in the best cases significant sums are received at community or

conservancy level. However, this is not universally the case and inequitable benefit sharing remains

a major challenge to be overcome. Good governance is an essential requirement when developing

hunting and other forms of community based management initiative.

A possible decline in size of Argali trophies in Kyrgyzstan has been reported and determining

whether this is actually the case, and the causes, is a priority. Standardized monitoring, involvement

of independent experts, transparency in quota setting and allocation of licences are all seen as

prerequisites of well‐managed and sustainable hunting operations. Allocation of long‐term leases for

concessions is needed to motivate managers to invest in anti‐poaching and other conservation

measures and remove the temptation for short‐term profit that threatens the sustainability of the

resource.

Developing all forms of Community‐based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) – trophy hunting

and tourism – is also recommended. As the concept is still new to many parts of the region, and the

legal‐political background is not always sympathetic, building on examples of existing community

conservancies (in Tajikistan) or where there is an administrative basis for local management of

resources (Kyrgyzstan), is likely to be effective. Ensuring that communities and conservancies are

legally empowered to manage and utilise wildlife and to receive revenues for such use is a basic

requirement.

Recommendations on good practice are set out in several publications and salient points relevant to the region are highlighted.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1415
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Author Bischof, R.,Hameed, S.,Ali, H.,Kabir, M.,Younas, M.,Shah, K. A.,Din, J. U.,Nawaz, M. A.
Title (up) Using time-to-event analysis to complement hierarchical methods when assessing determinants of photographic detectability during camera trapping Type Journal Article
Year 2013 Publication Methods in Ecology and Evolution Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords Cox proportional hazards model, cumulative incidence, Martes foina, Panthera Uncia, survival anaalysis, Vulpes Vulpes, weighted observations
Abstract 1. Camera trapping, paired with analytical methods for estimating occupancy, abundance and other ecological parameters, can yield information with direct consequences for wildlife management and conservation. Although ecological information is the primary target of most camera trap studies, detectability influences every aspect from design to interpretation.

2. Concepts and methods of time-toevent analysis are directly applicable to camera trapping, yet this statistical field has thus far been ignored as a way to analyze photographic capture data. to illustrate the use to time-to-event statistics and to better understand how photographic evidence accumulates, we explored patterns in tow related measure of detectability: Detection probability and time to detection. We analyzed camera trap data for three sympatric carnivores ( snow Leopard, red fox and stone marten) in the mountains of northern Pakistan and tested predictions about patterns in detectability across species, sites and time.

3. We found species-specific differences in the magnitude of detectability and the factors influencing it, reinforcing the need to consider determinants of detectability in study design and to account for them during analysis. Photographic detectability of snow leopard was noticeably lower than that of red fox, but comparable to detectability of stone marten. Site-specific attributes such as the presence of carnivore sign ( snow Leopard), terrain ( snow leopard and red fox) and application for lures ( red fox) influenced detectability. For the most part, detection probability was constant over time.

4. Species- specific differences in factors determining detectability make camera trap studies targeting multiple species particularly vulnerable to misinterpretation if the hierarchical origin of the data is ignored. Investigators should consider not only the magnitude of detectability, but also the shape of the curve describing the cumulative process of photographic detection, as this has consequences for both determining survey effort and the election of analytical models. Weighted time-to -event analysis can complement occupancy analysis and other hierarchal methods by providing additional tools for exploring camera trap data and testing hypotheses regarding the temporal aspect of photographic evidence accumulation.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1405
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Author Murali, R., Lkhagvajav, P., Saeed, U., Kizi, V. A., Nawaz, M. A., Bhatnagar, Y. V., Sharma, K., Mishra, C.
Title (up) VALUATION OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN SNOW LEOPARD LANDSCAPES OF ASIA Type Report
Year 2017 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-46
Keywords
Abstract Snow leopards occur in Asia�s high mountain ranges of the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Karakoram, Pamir, Tien Shan, Kunlun, Altai and Sayan. In all the 12 countries where they occur, snow leopards face intensifying threats to their survival, including habitat fragmentation and degradation due to increasing human populations, mining and developmental projects, poaching and illegal wildlife trade, weak law enforcement, inadequate involvement of local people in conservation efforts, and depletion of natural prey populations due to hunting by people and overgrazing by livestock.

To address the urgent needs of conservation of the snow leopard and the sustainable development of mountain peoples, the Governments of snow leopard range countries came together and agreed to invest efforts to conserve snow leopards in 23 large landscapes across its range under the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP).

These landscapes where the snow leopards occur are inhabited by agro-pastoral and pastoral peoples who depend on well functioning ecosystems for ecosystem services, i.e., the benefits that humans derive from nature. Many threats that impact snow leopards also impact the well-being of people living in these landscapes. However, till date, there have been no studies that have attempted to quantify peoples� dependence on ecosystem services in snow leopard landscapes, or understand the impacts that alternate land-use decisions such as mining or infrastructure can have on the ecosystem services and on the local people who are dependent on them.

In this report, we provide the first assessment of the economic value of provisioning ecosystem services � the material goods from ecosystems � used by local people in five study sites from four GSLEP landscapes: Spiti Valley and Changtang region of Ladakh in India�s Hemis-Spiti Landscape, Gurez Valley in the Himalayan Landscape of Pakistan, Tost Nature Reserve in the South Gobi Landscape of Mongolia, and the Sarychat region in the Central Tien Shan Landscape of Kyrgyzstan. In study sites that had both pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, we estimated ecosystem services separately for the two production systems.The average value (± SE) of ecosystem services per household amongst the agro-pastoral

communities of Gurez Valley (4125 ± 190 USD/HH/yr) was 2.5 times the average local household income. In the agro-pastoral communities of Spiti Valley (3964 ± 334.8 USD/HH/yr) it was 3.6 times the average local household income, while it was 3.7 times amongst the agro-pastoral communities of Changtang (15083 ± 1656 USD/HH/yr). Amongst the pastoral communities, the value of ecosystem services used by households was several times higher than the average household income: it was 26.1 times amongst the pastoral communities of Changtang (79303 ± 9204 USD HH/yr), 38.7 times among communities in Tost Nature Reserve (150100 ± 13290 USD/HH/yr), and 7.4 times among the pastoral communities of Sarychat (25473 ± 5236 USD/HH/yr). It was lower, although still substantial at 0.6 times, for the downstream agro-pastoral communities living outside the landscape boundary in Sarychat (2094 ± 189 USD/HH/yr).

Our work reveals substantially high levels of dependence of local communities on ecosystem services provided by snow leopard landscapes of Asia. The estimated economic value of provisioning ecosystem services used by human households in these landscapes ranged from 0.6 to up to 40 times the local annual household incomes. This economic support that nature provides people is critical for humanity but remains hidden and unaccounted for. Land use change decisions, especially those that are damaging for nature and biodiversity, must start accounting for the value of ecosystem services in their cost-benefit analyses.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1458
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Author Sharma, K., Bayrakcismith, R., Tumursukh, L., Johansson, O., Sevger, P., McCarthy, T., Mishra, C.
Title (up) Vigorous Dynamics Underlie a Stable Population of the Endangered Snow Leopard Panthera uncia in Tost Mountains, South Gobi, Mongolia Type Journal Article
Year 2014 Publication Plos One Abbreviated Journal
Volume 9 Issue 7 Pages
Keywords
Abstract Population monitoring programmes and estimation of vital rates are key to understanding the mechanisms of population growth, decline or stability, and are important for effective conservation action. We report, for the first time, the population trends and vital rates of the endangered snow leopard based on camera trapping over four years in the Tost Mountains, South Gobi, Mongolia. We used robust design multi-season mark-recapture analysis to estimate the trends in abundance, sex ratio, survival probability and the probability of temporary emigration and immigration for adult and young snow leopards. The snow leopard population remained constant over most of the study period, with no apparent growth (l = 1.08+20.25). Comparison of model results with the ‘‘known population’’ of radio-collared snow leopards suggested

high accuracy in our estimates. Although seemingly stable, vigorous underlying dynamics were evident in this population, with the adult sex ratio shifting from being male-biased to female-biased (1.67 to 0.38 males per female) during the study. Adult survival probability was 0.82 (SE+20.08) and that of young was 0.83 (SE+20.15) and 0.77 (SE +20.2) respectively, before and after the age of 2 years. Young snow leopards showed a high probability of temporary emigration and immigration (0.6, SE +20.19 and 0.68, SE +20.32 before and after the age of 2 years) though not the adults (0.02 SE+20.07). While the current female-bias in the population and the number of cubs born each year seemingly render the study population safe, the vigorous dynamics suggests that the situation can change quickly. The reduction in the proportion of

male snow leopards may be indicative of continuing anthropogenic pressures. Our work reiterates the importance of monitoring both the abundance and population dynamics of species for effective conservation.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1416
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Author Schutgens, M. G., Hanson, J. H., Baral, N., Ale, S. B.
Title (up) Visitors’ willingness to pay for snow leopard Panthera uncia conservation in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal Type Journal Article
Year 2018 Publication Oryx Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1 - 10
Keywords Carnivore conservation, contingent valuation, economic valuation, existence value, Panthera uncia, snow leopard, threatened species, wildlife policy
Abstract The Vulnerable snow leopard Panthera uncia experiences

persecution across its habitat in Central Asia, particularly

from herders because of livestock losses. Given the

popularity of snow leopards worldwide, transferring some

of the value attributed by the international community to

these predators may secure funds and support for their conservation.

We administered contingent valuation surveys to

 international visitors to the Annapurna Conservation

Area, Nepal, between May and June , to determine

their willingness to pay a fee to support the implementation

of a Snow Leopard Conservation Action Plan. Of the %of

visitors who stated they would pay a snow leopard conservation

fee in addition to the existing entry fee, the mean

amount that they were willing to pay was USD  per trip.

The logit regression model showed that the bid amount, the

level of support for implementing the Action Plan, and the

number of days spent in the Conservation Area were significant

predictors of visitors’ willingness to pay. The main reasons

stated by visitors for their willingness to pay were a

desire to protect the environment and an affordable fee. A

major reason for visitors’ unwillingness to pay was that

the proposed conservation fee was too expensive for them.

This study represents the first application of economic valuation

to snow leopards, and is relevant to the conservation of

threatened species in the Annapurna Conservation Area

and elsewhere.
Address http://snowleopardnetwork.org/bibliography/Schutgensetal_2018.pdf
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1467
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Author Weiskopf, S. R., Kachel, S. M., McCarthy, K. P.
Title (up) What Are Snow Leopards Really Eating? Identifying Bias in Food-Habit Studies Type Journal Article
Year 2016 Publication Wildlife Society Bulletin Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-8
Keywords diet, DNA genotyping, feces, Panthera uncia, scat, snow leopard. Lack of
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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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1445
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Author Hanson, J. H., Schutgens, M., Leader-Williams, N.
Title (up) What factors best explain attitudes to snow leopards in the Nepal Himalayas? Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication PLoS ONE Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-19
Keywords
Abstract The snow leopard Panthera uncia is a vulnerable wild felid native to mountainous regions of 12 Asian countries. It faces numerous overlapping threats, including killings by herders retaliating against livestock losses, the illegal wildlife trade, loss of prey and habitat, infra- structure, energy and mining developments, and climate change. The species ranges over large territories that often lie outside of protected areas (PA), so coexistence with human populations across its range is key to its persistence. Human attitudes to snow leopards may be an important factor to consider in reducing overlapping threats to this species. How- ever, this nexus has not been widely studied to date. Attitudes to snow leopard conserva- tion, including actors and interventions, may also be a significant aspect of coexistence. These have also received limited empirical attention. This study therefore explored human attitudes to snow leopards and to snow leopard conservation, the motivations for these atti- tudes and the individual factors that best explained them. Using systematic sampling, a quantitative questionnaire was administered to 705 households at two sites in the Nepal Himalayas: Sagarmatha National Park, with a less decentralised governance model, and Annapurna Conservation Area, with a more decentralised model. Linear regression models were the main form of analysis. Based on these, attitudes to snow leopard conservation emerged as the strongest influence on local attitudes to snow leopards, and vice versa. This was true in both PAs, despite their differing management regimes. Other important explana- tory factors included numbers of livestock owned, years of education, household livelihoods and age. Furthermore, a positive intrinsic motivation was the most common reason given by respondents to explain their attitudes to both snow leopards and snow leopard conservation. These findings demonstrate that, in addition to the usual suite of factors that influence atti- tudes to a species, the way in which its conservation is pursued and perceived also needs consideration. How the snow leopard is conserved may strongly influence its coexistence with local communities.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1489
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Author Janecka, J. E., Alves, P., Karmacharya, D., Samsel, N., Cheng, E., Tallmom, D., Schwartz, M.
Title (up) Wildlife Genetics in Mountainous Rugged Asian Landscapes: Methods, Applications and Examples Type Book Chapter
Year 2013 Publication Wildlife Research Techniques in rugged Mountainous Asian Landscapes Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 44-91
Keywords
Abstract
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1429
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Author Wildlife Times
Title (up) Wildlife Times Type Magazine Article
Year 2011 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue November Pages
Keywords
Abstract Snow Leopard Count – A census of Snow Leopard has started in Mustang District, Nepal
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1373
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Author WWF Russia & Mongolia
Title (up) WWF Altai-Sayan Newsletter Type Report
Year 2010 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue 12 Pages 6
Keywords WWF Russia, WWF Mongolia, argali, snow leopard
Abstract WWF Russia and WWF Mongolia share the main achievements of both offices in Altai – Sayan Ecoregion regarding species conservation, protected areas, ecotourism, public awareness, education, eco clubs, fresh water. Several articles reference snow leopards:

WWF Mongolia

Argali population observation in transboundary area

WWF Russia

Ecotourism camps in the habitats of a snow leopard and argali WWF and UNDP

WWF Russia

WWF assessed the level of conflict between herders and a snow leopard in Republic of Tyva

WWF Russia

The first ecological festival in the history of Mountain Altai for snow leopard conservation!
Address Email: tivanitskaya@wwf.ru
Corporate Author Communication Staff of Altai - Sayan Programme in Russia and Mongolia Thesis
Publisher WWF Place of Publication Russia Editor
Language English Summary Language English Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ Serial 1110
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