Ferretti, F., Lovari, S., Minder, I., Pellizzi, B. (2014). Recovery of the snow leopard in Sagarmatha (Mt.Everest) National Park: effects on main prey. European Journal of Wildlife Research, (60), 559–562.
Abstract: Consequences of predation may be particularly
heavy on small populations of herbivores, especially if they
are threatened with extinction. Over the 2006–2010 period, we
documented the effects of the spontaneous return of the endangered
snow leopard on the population of the vulnerable
Himalayan tahr. The study area was an area of central
Himalaya where this cat disappeared c. 40 years before, because
of persecution by man. Snow leopards occurred mainly
in areas close to the core area of tahr distribution. Tahr was the
staple (56.3 %) of snow leopards. After the arrival of this cat,
tahr decreased by more than 2/3 from 2003 to 2010 (mainly
through predation on kids). Subsequently, the density of snow
leopards decreased by 60%from2007 to 2010. The main prey
of snow leopards in Asia (bharal, marmots) were absent in our
study area, forcing snow leopards to specialize on tahr. The
restoration of a complete prey spectrum should be favoured
through reintroductions, to conserve large carnivores and to
reduce exploitation of small populations of herbivores, especially
if threatened.
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Arias, M., Coals, P., Ardiantiono, Elves-Powell, J., Rizzolo, J. B., Ghoddousi, A., Boron, V., da Silva, M., Naude, V., Williams, V., Poudel, S., Loveridge, A., Payan, E., Suryawanshi, K., Dickman, A. (2024). Reflecting on the role of human-felid conflict and local use in big cat trade. Conservation Science and Practice, 6(e13030), 1–7.
Abstract: Illegal trade in big cat (Panthera spp.) body parts is a prominent topic in scientific and public discourses concerning wildlife conservation. While illegal trade is generally acknowledged as a threat to big cat species, we suggest that two enabling factors have, to date, been under-considered. To that end, we discuss the roles of human-felid conflict, and “local” use in illegal trade in big cat body parts. Drawing examples from across species and regions, we look at generalities, contextual subtleties, ambiguities, and definitional complexities. We caution against underestimating the extent of “local” use of big cats and highlight the potential of conflict killings to supply body parts.
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Wu, D., Maming, R., Xu, G., Zhu X., Buzzard, P. (2015). Relationship between ibex and snow leopard about food chain and population density in Tian Shan. Selevinia, , 186–190.
Abstract: Many studies have demonstrated that ibex (Capra sibirica) are the most frequently eaten prey of snow
leopards (Panthera uncia) in Xinjiang, the west of China. Thus, an understanding of interactions between these species may have significant management and conservation of implications for both. In this study, we provide information on ibex grouping and density over a 24 month period in the Tian Shan of Xinjiang, China. We then use ibex density to estimate the density of snow leopards. We observed ibex primarily in ewe-lamb groups (N=880), but ibex sexual segregation and grouping changed seasonally with more mixed-sex groups during the winter rut. We observed the most ibex in April 2014 and 2015 with an average of (2422 ± 119 ibex). Over the 1643 km2 study area we then estimated an ibex density of 154 ± 23 ibex /100 km2 from which we estimated a density of 1.31~2.58 snow leopards/100 km2.
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Fedosenko A.K. (1979). Relationship between the predators and wild ungulates in North Tien Shan and Jungar Alatau.
Abstract: Ibex is a main prey for snow leopards. The role of marmots and snow cocks in snow leopard's consumption is negligent. It can prey on morals in the fir-wood. A case of snow leopard's attacking a dog is also known.
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Khanal, G., Mishra, C., Suryawanshi, K. R. (2020). Relative influence of wild prey and livestock abundance on
carnivore-caused livestock predation. Ecology and Evolution, , 1–11.
Abstract: Conservation conflict over livestock depredation is one of the
key drivers of large mammalian carnivore declines worldwide. Mitigating
this conflict requires strategies informed by reliable knowledge of
factors influencing livestock depredation. Wild prey and livestock
abundance are critical factors influencing the extent of livestock
depredation. We compared whether the extent of livestock predation by
snow leopards Panthera uncia differed in relation to densities of wild
prey, livestock, and snow leopards at two sites in Shey Phoksundo
National Park, Nepal. We used camera trap-based spatially explicit
capture–recapture models to estimate snow leopard density;
double-observer surveys to estimate the density of their main prey
species, the blue sheep Pseudois nayaur; and interview-based household
surveys to estimate livestock population and number of livestock killed
by snow leopards. The proportion of livestock lost per household was
seven times higher in Upper Dolpa, the site which had higher snow
leopard density (2.51 snow leopards per 100 km2) and higher livestock
density (17.21 livestock per km2) compared to Lower Dolpa (1.21 snow
leopards per 100 km2; 4.5 livestock per km2). The wild prey density was
similar across the two sites (1.81 and 1.57 animals per km2 in Upper and
Lower Dolpa, respectively). Our results suggest that livestock
depredation level may largely be determined by the abundances of the
snow leopards and livestock and predation levels on livestock can vary
even at similar levels of wild prey density. In large parts of the snow
leopard range, livestock production is indispensable to local
livelihoods and livestock population is expected to increase to meet the
demand of cashmere. Hence, we recommend that any efforts to increase
livestock populations or conservation initiatives aimed at recovering or
increasing snow leopard population be accompanied by better herding
practices (e.g., predator-proof corrals) to protect livestock from snow
leopard.
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Prasad, S. N., Chundawat, R. S., Hunter, D. O., Panwar, H. S., & Rawat, G. S. (1991). Remote sensing snow leopard habitat in the trans-Himalaya of India using spatial models and satellite imagery preliminary results. In G. J. Buhyoff (Ed.), (pp. 519–523).
Abstract: The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a flagship species for conservation in the high mountain regions of central Asia. Data on snow leopard predation, habitat conditions and range of main prey species were gathered along with thematic maps of the study area for elevation, snow cover, sighting data, kill data, blue sheep use areas, and vegetation data. These data were entered into a GIS and used to help delineate surface features from a satellite image. Preliminary results show that general physiographic features of snow leopard habitat can be detected using satellite imagery and that GIS cartographic modeling techniques can improve this delineation. -from Authors
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Alexander, D. (1980). Report from a troubled land: The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan crushed oe of the most promising conservation programs in the Third World.
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Ming, M., XuFeng, Turghan, M., & Shoujin, Y. (2004). Report on Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia) Surveys in Tomur, Xinjiang, China 2004. Xinjian, P.R. of China: Xinjiang Snow Leopard Group; Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography; Chinese Academy of Science.
Abstract: The Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia) investigation in the Tomur area is the second step of the “Project of Snow Leopard Study in Xinjiang”. In this part of the project, we collected information on the distribution , abundance and population size of the snow leopard in this area. The investigation lasted for 3 weeks, between October 17 and November 7th, 2004. During the 22 days of field work, we surveyed 4 different places in Wensu County, Aksu District: e.g. Pochenzi and the Muzat River area, Bozdun and the Little Kuzbay River area, Yinyar and the Tomur River area, Taglak and the Qiong Tailan River area. The 4 main areas, along with a few other valleys, covered most of the Tomur National Conservation Zone. In total, we ran 42 transects. In 15 transects, we found signs left by snow leopards. We also collected 15 fecal samples for diet analysis. This time we interviewed nearly 90 local people from different nationalities: e.g. Han (Chinese), Uygur and Kyrgyz people, including herdsmen, geologists, mineworkers, drivers, veterinarians, businessmen, forest officials, soldiers and policemen. They provided us with an array of information on the historical and current distribution and abundance of the snow leopard in this area.
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Panwar, H. S. (1988). Report on the snow leopard research project of Wildlife Institute of India.
Abstract: Snow leopard survey conducted in Indian Himalayas between November 1985 and July 1986.
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Mayo, J. G. (1967). Report on the tranquillisation of a male Snow leopard Panthera uncia for semen extraction. International Zoo Yearbook, VII(7), 148–150.
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