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Ming, M. F., Xu. Yun, Cheng et al. (2013). Snow Leopards in Xinjiang.
Abstract: The snow leopard Uncia uncia is a globally endangered species, occurring in China and 11
neighboring countries, with a total population of 3500-7000 individuals. China is very important for Snow Leopards, as it contains both the more than half of the distribution area and the largest remaining population. However, like other big cats, the density is very low, perhaps less than 1 individual per 100 square kilometers in the western mountains of China. This book first reviewed ten years of research by Xinjiang Snow Leopard Team (XSLT), and it contains over 300 figures including maps, illustrations, pictures and photos, 46 tables as well as more than a thousand references and 1100 key words in the index. In the past ten years, XSLT has received much support and funding from the Snow Leopard Trust (SLT) and the Xinjiang Conservation Fund (XCF). In this regard, the Chinese government has not yet given one cent to support the Xinjiang Snow Leopard Project. Our situation is very difficult indeed, and it is hoped that this book will inspire future government support. There are many topics discussed in this work including a decade of successes or failures with the Snow Leopard Survival Strategy (SLSS from 2002 to 2012). The authors also present findings from every International Snow Leopard Conference (1978-2008), the stories of 14 experts, the big events of conservation and research (1776-2012), and many questions for future research in the appendix. This is the first work about snow leopards in China. It is a popular scientific book that covers snow leopard monitoring, research, conservation and management, and it could also be very helpful to nature reserve staff and scientists as well as students, teachers, outdoor explorers, volunteers and cat lovers. The book contains the following: preface, table of contents (in English), and chapters on the ancient records of snow leopards; their place in the family of big cats; research methods and field logs for snow leopards; their population size and distribution in China; biological knowledge, conservation and management of snow leopards; their presence in zoos; Nature Reserves in Xinjiang, the experiences of snow leopard conservation in other countries; appendix; index; and afterword (ISBN 978-7-03-036723-5, the book was published in March 2013 with total of 616 pages and approximately 0.77 million Chinese words, price: RMB 145.00 Yuan). Keywords: Snow Leopards, China
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Maming, R. (2012). Market prices for the tissues and organs of snow leopards in China. Selevinia, (20), 119–122.
Abstract: The population of snow leopard (Uncia uncia) is plummeting as waterfall in
the last ten years. The illegal trade of snow leopard products is one of the fatal factors. The biggest range and the biggest population of snow leopard both are in China, and the largest trade is also in the country. Through questionnaires and investigation with informants from 2002 to 2012, a lot of data were collected through variety ways in different regions. In this paper 387 cases of snow leopard poaching including smuggling routes, product list, price system and product usages from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were collected for analysis and discussion. In the face of rapid development in the west of China, the results showed that our government did not try to protect the snow leopards, and the text of law was practically useless. International organizations such as WWF, WCS, IUCN, PANTHERA, SLT & SLN with SLSS were also powerless and helpless to stop snow leopard poaching and trading. As a result, the fate of the snow leopard is very bad, and this is worrying. Keywords: trade; cases; products; prices; bazaars; snow leopards; extinction; Xinjiang
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Mazoomdaar, J. (2011). Cat Among the People. Open, (8 August), 40–45. |
McCarthy, T., Murray, K., Sharma, K., & Johansson, O. (2010). Preliminary results of a long-term study of snow leopards in South Gobi, Mongolia. Cat News, Autumn(53), 15–19.
Abstract: Snow leopards Panthera uncia are under threat across their range and require urgent conservation actions based on sound science. However, their remote habitat and cryptic nature make them inherently difficult to study and past attempts have provided insufficient information upon which to base effective conservation. Further, there has been no statistically-reliable and cost-effective method available to monitor snow leopard populations, focus conservation effort on key populations, or assess conservation impacts. To address these multiple information needs, Panthera, Snow Leopard Trust, and Snow Leopard Conservation Fund, launched an ambitious long-term study in Mongolia’s South Gobi province in 2008. To date, 10 snow leo-pards have been fitted with GPS-satellite collars to provide information on basic snow leopard ecology. Using 2,443 locations we calculated MCP home ranges of 150 – 938 km2, with substantial overlap between individuals. Exploratory movements outside typical snow leopard habitat have been observed. Trials of camera trapping, fecal genetics, and occupancy modeling, have been completed. Each method ex-hibits promise, and limitations, as potential monitoring tools for this elusive species.
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Mei, S., Alexander, J. S., Zhao, X., Cheng, C., Lu, Z. (2018). Common leopard and snow leopard co-existence in Sanjiangyuan,Qinghai, China. Cat News, (67), 18–20.
Abstract: The snow leopard Panthera uncia, classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, is distributed
across the mountainous areas of 12 countries in South and Central Asia. The common leopard Panthera pardus, also classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, has the widest geographic distribution among all wild cats and inhabits many countries of Africa and Asia. The common leopard is much bigger than the snow leopard. Sightings of both species in the same location have recently been reported from the Autonomous Region of Tibet and Sichuan, China. We conducted a camera trap survey to verify the presence of these large carnivores using camera traps in Niandu and Yunta villages of Qinghai province, China. In both areas camera trap stations captured both species, identifying seven adult snow leopard and four adult common leopard individuals. Our study provides the first photographic evidence of common leopard presence in Qinghai province and confirms the co-existence of snow leopards and common leopards in the Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve. A more detailed study will be conducted to investigate the distribution and interaction of the two species along Tongtianhe and Zhaqu rivers, Qinghai province, in order to enhance efforts for their long-term conservation. |
Mijiddorj, T. N., Alexander, J. S., Samelius, G. (2018). Livestock depredation by large carnivores in the South Gobi, Mongolia. Wildlife Research, , A-J.
Abstract: Context. Livestock depredation is a major conservation challenge around the world, causing considerable economical losses to pastoral communities and often result in retaliatory killing. In Mongolia, livestock depredation rates are thought to be increasing due to changes in pastoral practices and the transformation of wild habitats into pasture lands. Few studies have examined the interactions between humans and carnivores and even fewer have considered how recent changes in pastoral practices may affect depredation rates.
Aim. This study aimed to assess the influence of herding practices on self-reported livestock losses to snow leopards and wolves in two communities in South Gobi, Mongolia. Methods. In total, 144 herder households were interviewed and an information-theoretic approach was used to analyse the factors influencing self-reported livestock losses to snow leopards and wolves. Key results. The majority of self-reported losses to both snow leopards and wolves occurred when herds were left unattended in the pastures. The economic loss associated with livestock losses to snow leopards and wolves amounted to an average loss of US$825 per herder and year. The number of livestock owned by a household and the frequency of shifting campsite had the strongest influence on livestock losses to snow leopards and wolves. Other determinants of livestock losses included frequency of visiting the soum (county) centre. Implications. On the basis of the findings, we make recommendations for mitigating the conflict with large carnivores, with focus on guiding future herding practices. Keywords: co-existence, livestock, pastoralism
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Ming, M., Munkhtsog, B., McCarthy, T., McCarthy, K. (2011). Monitor ing of Population Density of Snow Leopard in X injiang. Journal of Ecology and Rural Environment, 27(1), 79–83.
Abstract: The snow leopard (Uncia uncia) is a very rare species in China. The survey of traces of snow leopard in Kunlun, Altay and Tianshan is them a instep of the Project of Snow Leopard in X injiang supported by the International Snow Leopard Trust ( SLT) and the Xinjiang Conservation Fund (XCF). During the field survey from 2004 to 2010, the Xinjiang Snow Leopard Group ( XSLG) spent about 270 days in over 20 different places, covering over 150 transects totaling nearly 190 km, and found 1- 3 traces per kilometer. The traces of snow leopard recorded include dung, odor, chains of footprints, scraping, paw nail marks, lying mark, fur, urine, bloodstain, leftover of prey corpse, roaring and others. Based on tracer image analyses, the XSLG got to know primarily scopes of the domains, distribution and relative density of the snow leopard in these areas. Then the group began to take infrared photos, conducted survey of food sources of the leopards, investigated fur market and paths of trading, and cases of killing, and carry out civil survey through questionnaire, non government organization community service and research on conflicts between grazing and wild life protection. A total of 36 infrared came ras were laid out, working a total of about 2 094 days or 50 256 hours. A total 71 rolls of film were collected and developed, includ ing 32 clear pictures of snow leopards, thus making up a shooting rate or capture rate of 1.53%. It was ascertained that in Tomur Peak area, there were 5- 8 snow leopards roaming within a range of 250 km2, forming a population density of 2��0- 3��2 per 100 km2. After compar ing the various monitoring results, the advantages and limitations of different monitoring methods have been discussed.
Keywords: Uncia uncia; snow leopard; monitoring method; trace; infrared camera; relative intensity
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Snow Leopard Conservation Fund, S. L. T., Panthera. (2010). Mining and Snow Leopard Conservation: Tost- Tosonbumba Mountains of Gurvantes Soum, South Gobi Mongolia.
Abstract: The Tost-Tosonbumba Mountains of South Gobi represent one of the most impressive habitats for the endangered snow leopard Panthera Uncia, supporting amongst the highest population density of this rare cat reported so far from across it's global range. A prestigious multi-institutional internal research collaboration was initiated in Tost-Tosonbumba in 2008 with the establishment of a sate of the art research station. Yet, lying outside any protected area, this important snow leopard population and its habitat face direct and urgent threats due to mining. Initiation of mining in the region would (i) severely impact an important snow leopard population and destroy much of its habitat, (ii) compromise the possibility of genetic exchange of snow leopards over a much larger landscape (iii) lay to waste ten years of effort with local communities that have involved improving livelihoods and seeking their co-operation in snow leopard conservation and (iv) squander the opportunity for Mongolia to continue a prestigious one of a kind, long-term international collaborative program on snow leopard research. It is critical that mining licenses in snow leopard habitats of the region be immediately revoked, and the local communities be supported in their efforts to develop the Tost-Tosonbumba Mountains into a local protected area.
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Mishra, C., Young, J. C., Fiechter, M., Rutherford, B., Redpath, S. M. (2017). Building partnerships with communities for biodiversity conservation: lessons from Asian mountains. Journal of Applied Ecology, , 1–9.
Abstract: Applied ecology lies at the intersection of human societies and natural systems. Consequently, applied ecologists are constantly challenged as to how best to use ecological knowledge to influence the management of ecosystems (Habel et al. 2013). As Hulme (2011) has pointed out, to do so effectively we must leave our ivory towers and engage with stakeholders. This engagement is especially important and challenging in areas of the world where poverty, weak institutions and poor governance structures conspire to limit the ability of local communities to contribute to biodiversity conservation. These communities often bear disproportionate costs in the form of curtailed access to natural resources, ecosystem services, and developmental
programmes, and also suffer wildlife-caused damage, including injuries or loss of human life, and economic and psychological impacts (Madhusudan & Mishra 2003). It is well-recognized that conservation efforts in large parts of the world historically have been perceived to be discriminatory by local people (Mishra 2016). The need for engagement with local communities is therefore embedded in the 2020 Aichi biodiversity targets and is widely thought to be critical to the success of conservation efforts. However, although the need for engagement is clear, as ecologists and practitioners we often have little formal training in how we should engage with local communities and how we can recognize the pitfalls and opportunities provided by developing genuine partnerships. The practical challenges of achieving effective engagement are considerable (Agrawal & Gibson 1999; Waylen et al. 2010, 2013), and such forays are fraught with difficulties and ethical considerations (Chan et al. 2007). When they are done badly, conservation interventions can damage relationships and trust, and lead to serious injustice to local people and setbacks for ecological outcomes (Duffy 2010). Much has been written on knowledge exchange and participatory research approaches (e.g. Reed et al. 2014 and references therein). This Practitioner’s Perspective seeks to focus on the next logical step: the elements that practitioners and researchers need to consider when engaging with communities to effect conservation. Engagement around the management of protected areas has been discussed and formalized (e.g. Dudley 2008). Considerable literature has also emerged, particularly from Africa, on the use and co-management of natural resources, commonly referred to as community-based natural resource management or CBNRM (e.g. Fabricius 2004; Roe, Nelson & Sandbrook 2009; Child & Barnes 2010). There have been attempts to draw general principles for CBNRM (e.g. Thakadu 2005; Gruber 2010). In the related field of community-based conservation, however, while there have been efforts to draw lessons (e.g. Berkes 2004), little exists in terms of frameworks or guidelines for effectively working with local communities to effect biodiversity conservation in multi-use landscapes (Mishra 2016). The eight principles for community-based conservation outlined here (Fig. 1) build on ideas developed in fields as diverse as applied ecology, conservation and natural resource management, community health, social psychology, rural development, negotiation theory, and ethics (see Mishra 2016). They have been developed, challenged and tested through 20 years of community experience andour own research on the endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia and its mountain ecosystems, in South and Central Asia. We suspect that with contextual adaptations, their relevance for applied ecologists and practitioners may be universal. |
Mishra, C., Suryawanshi, K. (2014). Managing conflicts over livestock depradation by Large Carnivores. In SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION – Human-Wildlife Conflict in the Mountains of SAARC Region – Compilation of Successful Management Strategies and Practices (pp. 27–47).
Abstract: Managing wildlife-caused damage to human interests has become an important aspect of contemporary conservation management. Conflicts between pastoralism and carnivore conservation over livestock depredation pose a serious challenge to endangered carnivores worldwide, and have become an important livelihood concern locally. Here, we first review the primary causes of these conflicts, their socio-ecological correlates, and commonly employed mitigation measures. We then describe a community-based program to manage conflicts over livestock depredation by snow leopards Panthera uncia and wolves Canis lupus. A threats-based conceptual model of conflict management is presented. Conflicts over livestock depredation are characterized by complex, multi-scale interactions between carnivore and livestock behavioral ecology, animal husbandry, human psyche, culture, world-views, and socio-economic and education levels of affected peoples. A diversity of commonly employed conflict-mitigation measures is available. They aim at (i) reducing livestock depredation through better livestock herding, use of physical, chemical or psychological barriers, removal of carnivores, and use of livestock guard animals, (ii) offsetting economic losses through damage compensation and insurance programmes, and (iii) increasing peoples’ tolerance of carnivores through indirect approaches such as conservation education and economic incentives. For effective management, conflicts need to be understood along two important dimensions, viz., the reality of damage caused to humans, and the psyche and perceptions of humans who suffer wildlife caused damage. The efficacy of commonly used mitigation measures is variable. A combination of measures that reduce the level of livestock depredation, share or offset economic losses, and improve the social carrying capacity for carnivores will be more effective in managing conflicts than standalone measures
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