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Author Ale, S.B., Brown, J.S.
Title Prey behavior leads to predator: a case study of the Himalayan tahr and the snow leopard in Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park, Nepal Type (down) Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Israel Journal of Ecology & Evolution Abbreviated Journal
Volume 55 Issue 4 Pages 315-327
Keywords vigilance, fear, behavioral indicator, predator, prey, snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, Mount Everest
Abstract Rare, elusive predators offer few sightings, hindering research with small sample sizes and lack of experimentation. While predators may be elusive, their prey are more readily observed. Prey respond to the presence of a predator, and these fear responses may have population- and community-level consequences. Anti-predator behaviors, such as vigilance, allow us to sidestep the difficulty of direct field studies of large predators by studying them indirectly. Here we used a behavioral indicator, the vigilance behavior of the Himalayan tahr, the snow leopard’s main local prey, to reveal the distribution and habitat use of snow leopards in the Mt. Everest region of Nepal. We combined techniques of conventional field biology with concepts of foraging theory to study prey behavior in order to obtain insights into the predator’s ecology. The Himalayan tahr’s vigilance behavior correlates with the distribution of snow leopard signs. Tahr actually led us to six sightings of snow leopards. We conclude that behavioral indicators provided by prey offer a valuable tool for studying and monitoring stealthy and rare carnivores.
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Publisher Science from Israel, a division of LPPLtd. Place of Publication Israel Editor
Language English Summary Language English Original Title
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Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ Serial 1109
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Author Ferretti, F., Lovari, S., Minder, I., Pellizzi, B.
Title Recovery of the snow leopard in Sagarmatha (Mt.Everest) National Park: effects on main prey Type (down) Journal Article
Year 2014 Publication European Journal of Wildlife Research Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue 60 Pages 559-562
Keywords Predator–prey relationships . Small populations . Snow leopard . Himalayan tahr
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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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1408
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Author Filla, M., Lama, R. P., Ghale, T. R., Filla, T., Heurich, M., Waltert, M., Khorozyan, I.
Title Blue sheep strongly affect snow leopard relative abundance but not livestock depredation in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal Type (down) Journal Article
Year 2022 Publication Global Ecology and Conservation Abbreviated Journal
Volume 37 Issue e02153 Pages 1-15
Keywords Co-existence, Himalayan marmot, Human-wildlife conflict, Intervention strategy, Panthera uncia, Pseudois nayaur
Abstract Large carnivores play key roles in their ecosystems, but their protection is a major challenge in biodiversity conservation due to conflicts with human interests. The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is the top predator of Asian high-altitude landscapes and faces various threats including wild prey depletion and illegal killings as a consequence of livestock depredation. As the interactions between snow leopards, wild prey, and livestock are still insufficiently understood, we studied the effects of 1) wild prey (blue sheep Pseudois nayaur and Himalayan marmots Marmota himalayana) and domestic prey on snow leopard relative abundance, and of 2) these ecological parameters and intervention applications on livestock depredation by snow leopards. In the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal, we monitored wildlife populations and livestock along transects (490.8 km) in 82 grid cells (4 ×4 km) in 2019 and 2021 and conducted questionnaire surveys to determine livestock depredation between 2018 and 2021 (n = 479 households). We applied generalized linear models (GLMs) and sample comparison testing to examine the effects of prey densities and other environmental and anthropogenic predictors on snow leopard relative abundance and livestock depredation. Blue sheep density strongly positively affected snow leopard relative abundance, which also increased with terrain ruggedness and decreased with increasing densities of livestock and the human population. The size of livestock holdings shaped depredation events of large livestock (yak, cattle and horse), whereas depredation events of sheep and goats, which accounted for most (68.6%) depredated animals, decreased with increasing human population density and marmot presence. The strong impact of blue sheep on snow leopard relative abundance supports demands for integrating this ungulate into conservation and management plans, including wild prey recovery and translocation. The rather weak evidence for effects of blue sheep on depredation events suggests that conflicts over livestock depredation by snow leopards would neither be inflicted nor solved by increasing wild prey abundance. This demonstrates the need to improve intervention strategies in the Annapurna region, such as predator-proofing corrals and optimizing daytime herding practices. We suggest further exploring the effects of marmots and other secondary prey on livestock depredation rates, and testing the suitability of additional interventions, e.g., dogs and deterrents, as conflict mitigation tools. Our results will support wildlife managers in setting conservation priorities to promote the long-term co-existence of local people and snow leopards.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1682
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Author Ahmad, S., Ali, H., Asif, M., Khan, T, Din, N., Rehman, E. U., Hameed, S., Din, J. U., Nawaz, M. A.
Title Spatial density pattern of Himalayan Ibex (Capra sibirica) in Pakistan Type (down) Journal Article
Year 2022 Publication Global Ecology & Conservation Abbreviated Journal
Volume 39 Issue e02288 Pages 1-12
Keywords Himalayan ibex, Population, Hindu Kush, Himalaya, Karakoram, Pakistan
Abstract Mountain ungulates perform a key role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems as they are the primary consumers of vegetation and prey for large predators. The mountain ranges of northern Pakistan are home to six species of mountain ungulates, and the Himalayan ibex (Capra sibirica), hereafter ibex, is the most abundant among them. This study was conducted in three administrative regions of northern Pakistan, viz. Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), to generate a range-wide density pattern map of ibex. A double-observer survey was conducted in 25 study sites during 2018–2021 across the ibex distribution range, covering an area of about 35,307 km2, by walking transects totaling 1647 km. Within the ibex range where the survey was not conducted due to financial and logistical constraints, we obtained species population information from local wildlife departments’ most recent annual survey data. The aim was to generate a density map for the entire ibex range. Using the BBRe-capture package in program R, we estimated an ibex population of 7639 (95 % CI) with a mean density of 0.21/km2 in the surveyed area. Combining with the secondary data from un-surveyed areas, the total population estimate for the country came to 10,242 ibex. The largest population densities were observed in four valleys (Shimshal, Gulkin-Hussaini, Khyber, and Khunjerab) of the Karakoram-Pamir range, followed by the Hindu Kush range (Chitral Wildlife Division [WD]). The central and eastern parts of the Karakoram range had moderate to low densities, while the Himalayan range (e.g., Astore Valley) supported a small population. The mean herd size was 15 individuals (range: 5–41), and the average detection probability of observers A and B was 0.69 and 0.48, respectively. The average male and young ratios per 100 females were estimated to be 75 and 81, respectively. The range-wide density map developed during the study provided an evidence for the impact of trophy hunting programs and an objective tool for range-wide conservation planning of the species.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1699
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Author Islam, M., Sahana, M., Areendran, G., Jamir, C., Raj, K., Sajjad, H.
Title Prediction of potential habitat suitability of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) and niche overlap in the parts of western Himalayan region Type (down) Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Geo: Geography and Environment Abbreviated Journal
Volume 10 Issue e00121 Pages 1-15
Keywords bioclimatic variables, habitat suitability, MaxEnt model, niche overlap, western Himalayan region
Abstract The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) are the inhabitants of remote areas at higher altitudes with extreme geographic and climatic conditions. The habitats of these least-studied species are crucial for sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem. We employed the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) species distribution model to predict the potential habitat suitability of snow leopards and blue sheep and extracted common overlapped niches. For this, we utilised presence location, bio-climatic and environmental variables, and correlation analysis was applied to reduce the negative impact of multicollinearity. A total of 134 presence locations of snow leopards and 64 for blue sheep were selected from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). The annual mean temperature (Bio1) was found to be the most useful and highly influential factor to predict the potential habitat suitability of snow leopards. Annual mean temperature, annual precipitation and isothermality were the major influencing factors for blue sheep habitat suitability. Highly influential bio-climatic, topographic and environmental variables were integrated to construct the model for predicting habitat suitability. The area under the curve (AUC) values for snow leopard (0.87) and blue sheep (0.82) showed that the models are under good representation. Of the total area investigated, 47% was suitable for the blue sheep and 38% for the snow leopards. Spatial habitat assessment revealed that nearly 11% area from the predicted suitable habitat class of both species was spatially matched (overlapped), 48.6% area was unsuitable under niche overlap and 40.5% area was spatially mismatched niche. The presence of snow leopards and blue sheep in some highly suitable areas was not observed, yet such areas have the potential to sustain these elusive species. The other geographical regions interested in exploring habitat suitability may find the methodological framework adopted in this study useful for formulating an effective conservation policy and management strategy.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1719
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Author Thapa, K., Baral, S., Rahamajhi, S.
Title Effectiveness of Human-Snow leopard co-existence measure- a systematic analysis Type (down) Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Journal for Nature Conservation Abbreviated Journal
Volume 76 Issue 126511 Pages 1-11
Keywords Community-based conservation, Himalayan, Snow leopard range countries
Abstract Snow leopards and agropastoral communities have co-existed in snow leopard range countries for centuries. The vulnerable snow leopard forms and maintains the entire ecosystem, serving as an indicator species of a healthy alpine ecosystem. However, snow leopards, on the other hand, habitually kill livestock, occasionally killing 100 or more livestock in a single night, resulting in snow leopard retaliation. Thus, the snow leopard is becoming more threatened, so more attention should be paid. Therefore, numerous conservation mitigation strategies have been applied to maintain human-snow leopard coexistence in countries of the snow leopard range. However, such implemented conservation strategies lacked a thorough assessment of their achievements or shortcomings in protecting the snow leopard and enhancing community tolerance. Therefore, we systematically examined and evaluated peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on existing and implemented mitigation measures. We use the software Publish or Perish to achieve this, and we assess using the Preferred Reporting of Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) review approach. We thoroughly analyzed 42 papers and book chapters that were condensed human- snow leopard co-existence-related literature published in English from 2010 to 2023. Almost 90% of the papers were country-specific, with the remaining papers covering regional or snow leopard ranges countries. Nepal had the most papers, followed by China, India, and Mongolia; however, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Pakistan, Russia, and Tajikistan each had<10%, but there was no single document from Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan. Predator-proof corral, improved herding practices, and community-based insurance programs were three of the key recommendations that were more than 10 to 22 times proposed interventions. There are site-specific sociocultural situations and environments that require long-term action-oriented research that is area-specific rather than short-term and generic interventions. We identified a large knowledge gap in snow leopard research, specifically a lack of evidence that demonstrates and quantifies the effects of conservation actions, and strongly advise that it be further researched.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1735
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Author Anandakrishnan, M.B.
Title The snow leopard: Elusive and endangered Type (down) Journal Article
Year 1998 Publication The Environmental Magazine Abbreviated Journal
Volume 9 Issue 5 Pages 18-19
Keywords Himalayan; poaching; tourism; development; Nepal; asia; snow-leopard; snow leopard; browse; 1070
Abstract The snow leopard has never been common, but there may be fewer than 4,000 left in its Himalayan habitat, and poaching and tourism-related development in the region could drive its numbers down further.
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Notes Copyright Earth Action Network, Inc. Sep/Oct 1998 Document Type: English Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 352 Serial 71
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Author Shrestha, R.; Wegge, P.
Title Determining the composition of herbivore diets in the Trans-Himalayan rangelands: A comparison of field methods Type (down) Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Journal of Rangeland Ecology and Management Abbreviated Journal
Volume 59 Issue 5 Pages 512-518
Keywords bite count; Bos grunniens; Capra hircus; diet; fecal analysis; feeding site examination; food habits; free ranging; Nepal; Ovis aries; trans-himalayan
Abstract In late summer, in a semi-arid mountain range in Nepal, we compared 3 field methods for determining the botanical composition of herbivore diets. Data were collected from the same animals belonging to 1 herd of domestic yak (Bos grunniens) and 2 herds of mixed smallstock, consisting of domestic goats (Capra hircus) and sheep (Ovis aries). Bite count, feeding site examination, and microhistological analysis of feces gave different estimates of forage categories and plant species in both animal groups. Because yaks grazed in other vegetation communities when not observed for bite-counts and feeding signs, the results from the latter methods could not be compared directly with that from fecal analysis. In smallstock, feeding site examination gave higher estimates of graminoids and lower estimates of shrubs than the other 2 methods, probably because all feeding signs on shrubs were not detected. Bite-counts and fecal analysis gave comparable results, except that forbs were underestimated by fecal analysis, presumably due to their more complete digestion. Owing to the difficulty in collecting samples that are representative of the entire grazing period and the problem of recording feeding signs correctly, both feeding site examination and bite-counts are unsuitable methods for studying the food habits of free ranging domestic and wild herbivores. Microhistological analysis of feces appears to be the most appropriate method, but correction factors are needed to adjust for differential digestion. The systematic use of photomicrographs improves the speed and accuracy of the fecal analysis.
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Call Number SLN @ rana @ 935 Serial 889
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Author Bagchi, S.; Mishra, C.; Bhatnagar, Y.
Title Conflicts between traditional pastoralism and conservation of Himalayan ibex (Capra sibirica) in the Trans-Himalayan mountains Type (down) Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Animal Conservation Abbreviated Journal
Volume 7 Issue Pages 121-128
Keywords conflicts; traditional pastoralism; himalayan ibex; ibex; capra sibirica; trans-himalayan mountains; pin valley national park; spiti region; non-metric multidimensional scaling; snow leopard; wolf; wild dog; Lynx; wild ass; Tibetan argali; Tibetan antelope; Tibetan gazelle; urial; bharal; Pin River; pin valley; Parahio; goat; sheep; Cattle; horses; yaks; donkeys; diet; free-ranging horses; herded horses; grazing; 5290
Abstract There is recent evidence to suggest that domestic livestock deplete the density and diversity of wild herbivores in the cold deserts of the Trans-Himalaya by imposing resource limitations. To ascertain the degree and nature of threats faced by Himalayan ibex (Capra sibirica) from seven livestock species, we studied their resource use patterns over space, habitat and food dimensions in the pastures of Pin Valley National Park in the Spiti region of the Indian Himalaya. Species diet profiles were obtained by direct observations. We assessed the similarity in habitat use and diets of ibex and livestock using Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling. We estimated the influence of the spatial distribution of livestock on habitat and diet choice of ibex by examining their co-occurrence patterns in cells overlaid on the pastures. The observed co-occurrence of ibex and livestock in cells was compared with null-models generated through Monte Carlo simulations. The results suggest that goats and sheep impose resource limitations on ibex and exclude them from certain pastures. In the remaining suitable habitat, ibex share forage with horses. Ibex remained relatively unaffected by other livestock such as yaks, donkeys and cattle. However, most livestock removed large amounts of forage from the pastures (nearly 250 kg of dry matter/day by certain species), thereby reducing forage availability for ibex. Pertinent conservation issues are discussed in the light of multiple-use of parks and current socio-economic transitions in the region, which call for integrating social and ecological feedback into management planning.
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Notes Document Type: English Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 514 Serial 106
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Author Fox, J.L.; Chundawat, R.S.
Title Wolves in the Transhimalayan region of India: The continued survival of a low-density population Type (down) Journal Article
Year 1995 Publication Canadian Circumpolar Institute Occasional Publication No.35; Ecology and conservation of wolves in a changing world Abbreviated Journal
Volume 35 Issue Pages 95-103
Keywords Competition; Population-Density; Tibetan-Wolf; Transhimalayan-Region; Wildlife-Management; browse; population; density; tibetan; wolf; wildlife; management; transhimalayan; region; 710
Abstract Canadian Cirumpolar Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada/Second North American Symposium on Wolves, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, August 25-27, 1992
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Call Number SLN @ rana @ 272 Serial 306
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