|
Jackson, R., & Ahlborn, G. (1984). A preliminary habitat suitability model for the snow leopard, Panthera uncia, in West Nepal. International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, 4, 43–52.
|
|
|
Mallon, D. (1984). The snow leopard in Ladakh. International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, 4, 23–37.
Abstract: Reports on 1 summer survey and four winter surveys covering some 3100 km in Ladakh, India. Reports on snow leopard sign commonly found, distribution, prey, attacks on livestock and peoples reaction, mortality factors and conservation status. Suggest recomendations for preventing unnecessary killing of snow leopards and estimates population of 100 to 200 snow leopards in Ladakh
|
|
|
The Snow Leopard Conservancy. (2002). A Survey of Kathmandu-based Trekking Agencies: Market Opportunities for Linking Community-Based Ecotourism with the Conservation of Snow Leopard in the Annapurna Conservation Area. Report prepared for WWF-Nepal Programme (Vol. SLC Field Series Document No. 4). Los Gatos, California.
Abstract: In 2001 the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC), Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP), Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC) and WWF-Nepal initiated a collaborative project aimed at enhancing ecotourism in the Manang area, in ways that strengthen benefits to local communities while also protecting the environment and the local culture. Manang is known for its relatively dense snow leopard population, along with supporting good numbers of blue sheep, the endangered cat's principal prey through much of the Himalaya. However, snow leopards periodically kill many livestock, leading to retributive killing by herders along with other associated people-wildlife conflict. In order to encourage the local people to better co-exist with snow leopards and other wildlife, SLC, WWF-Nepal and ACAP agreed to explore ways of providing tourism benefits to local communities as an incentive to protect this rare predator and conserve its alpine habitat. Key in this regard is the possibility of developing locally guided nature treks, and accordingly, this survey was conducted in order to assess existing market opportunities and constraints to such ecotourism enterprise.
|
|
|
Aromov, B. (2001). Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia) in Hissar Nature Reserve (Vol. Issue 3).
Abstract: Data on distribution, number, diet and breeding of snow leopard in NW spurs of the Hissar Ridge were collected over long-term studies in the span from 1981 to 1994. An increase in the number of this animal from 4 to 17 individuals has been recorded in the Hissar Nature Reserve (Uzbekistan).
|
|
|
Heiz A.V. (1983). Snow leopard in Kyrgyzstan and its protection (Vol. 3).
Abstract: In the year 1970, the quantity of snow leopards in Kyrgyzstan was defined as 1,300 animals, while in the years to follow 1,600 animals were recorded. A snow leopard population has significantly decreased since recently because of intense extermination of snow leopard's prey ungulates, particularly ibex. In some areas of the Kyrgyz ridge livestock is growing in number thus affecting snow leopard population. It is extremely rare that snow leopard would attack livestock. Snow leopards can be caught under special license. Educational and awareness work among shepherds and hunters residing in the mountainous area of the country needs to be improved.
|
|
|
Prakash, I. (1985). Asian predators of livestock. Parasites, pests and predators.World animal science, B2, 405–410.
Abstract: Outlines the distribution, status and predatory behaviour on livestock of Chinese alligator Alligator sinensis, gharial Gavialis gangeticus and several species of Crocodylus and Python; and of wolf Canis lupus, Asiatic jackal C. aureus, dhole (Indian wild dog) Cuon alpinus, brown bear Ursus arctos, Asiatic black bear Selenarctos thibetanus, striped hyaena Hyaena hyaena, clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa, leopard (panther) Panthera pardus, tiger P. tigris, lion P. leo, snow leopard P. uncia, other Felidae and Viverridae. -P.J.Jarvis
|
|
|
Smith, A. T., & Foggin, M. J. (1998). The Plateau Pika (Ochotona curzoniae) is a Keystone Species for Biodiversity on the Tibetan Plateau. Animal Conservation, 2, 235–240.
Abstract: It is necessary to look at the big picture when managing biological resources on the QinghaiXizang (Tibetan) plateau. Plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) are poisoned widely across the plateau. Putative reasons for these control measures are that pika populations may reach high densities and correspondingly reduce forage for domestic livestock (yak, sheep, horses), and because they may be responsible for habitat degradation. In contrast, we highlight the important role the plateau pika plays as a keystone species in the Tibetan plateau ecosystem. The plateau pika is a keystone species because it: (i) makes burrows that are the primary homes to a wide variety of small birds and lizards; (ii) creates microhabitat disturbance that results in an increase in plant species richness; (iii) serves as the principal prey for nearly all of the plateau's predator species; (iv) contributes positively to ecosystem-level dynamics. The plateau pika should be managed in concert with other uses of the land to ensure preservation of China's native biodiversity, as well as long-term sustainable use of the pastureland by domestic livestock.
|
|
|
The Snow Leopard Conservancy. (2001). Visitor Attitude and Market Survey for Planning Community-based Tourism Initiatives in Rural Ladakh (Vol. SLC Field Series Document No. 2.). Los Gatos, California.
Abstract: Bounded by two of the world's highest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram, Ladakh is a land of exhilarating mountain landscapes, rocky gorges and a unique cultural heritage. It is also home to distinctive wildlife such as the snow leopard, blue sheep and Tibetan wild ass, all living in a unique high altitude desert ecosystem. Not surprisingly, Ladakh is becoming a sought after tourist destination for international and domestic visitors alike. Over the past two decades tourism has grown substantially, although erratically, with both positive and less positive results for Ladakh's environment and people. People are recognizing that it is important to act now and engage in an informed dialogue in order to conserve the natural and cultural resources on which the future of tourism and related incomes depend. The Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC) is working in collaboration with local communities and nongovernmental organizations to foster co-existence between people and predators like the endangered snow leopard by reducing livestock depredation losses and improving household incomes in environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable ways. Well-balanced tourism is one income generating option.
|
|
|
Pahuja, M., Sharma, R. K. (2021). Wild Predators, Livestock, and Free Ranging Dogs: Patterns of Livestock Mortality and Attitudes of People Toward Predators in an Urbanizing Trans-Himalayan Landscape. Frontiers in Conservation Science, 2(109), 1–13.
Abstract: Livestock depredation by large carnivores is a significant source of conflicts over predators and an important conservation and economic concern. Preventing livestock loss to wild predators is a substantial focus of human-carnivore conflict mitigation programs. A key assumption of the preventive strategy is reduction in the livestock losses leading to a positive shift in the attitudes toward predators. Therefore, it is important to quantify the true extent of livestock mortality caused by wild predators and its influence on attitudes of the affected communities. We examined seasonal and spatial patterns of livestock mortality and factors influencing people’s attitudes toward wild predators i.e., snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and wolves (Canis lupus chanco) and free-ranging dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) in a Trans-Himalayan urbanizing landscape in India. We used systematic sampling to select the survey households and implemented a semi- structured questionnaire to respondents. The sampled villages (n = 16) represent a mosaic of urban and agricultural ecosystems within a radius of 40 km of Leh town. In 2016–2017, 93% of the sampled households lost livestock to predators, accounting for 0.93 animals per household per year. However, of the total events of livestock mortality, 33% were because of weather/natural events, 24% by snow leopards, 20% because of disease, 15% because of free-ranging dogs and 9% because of wolves. The annual economic loss per household because of livestock mortality was USD 371, a substantial loss given the average per capita income of USD 270 in the region. Of the total loss, weather/natural events caused highest loss of USD 131 (35%), followed by snow leopards USD 91 (25%), disease USD 87 (24%), free ranging dogs USD 48 (13%), and wolves USD 14 (4%). Despite losing a considerable proportion of livestock (33 %) to wild predators, respondents showed a positive attitude toward them but exhibited neutral attitudes toward free-ranging dogs. Gender emerged as the most important determinant of attitudes toward wild predators, with men showing higher positive attitude score toward wild predators than women. Our findings highlight the context specific variation in human-wildlife interactions and emphasize that generalizations must be avoided in the absence of site specific evidence.
|
|
|
Khatiwada, J. R. & C., M.K. (2006). Status of snow leopard and conflict perception in Kangchenjunga Conservation Area, Eastern Nepal. Nepalese Journal of Zoology, 1(1), 1–8.
Abstract: Kangchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) is situated in the Taplejung district at the north-eastern region of Nepal. Livestock keeping is the main activity of people for making a living amidst a conflict with snow leopard (Uncia uncia). Each year snow leopard kills a number of livestock resulting significant economic losses for the poor people living in this remote area. Unless the people – snow leopard conflicts is well understood and appropriate conflict management activities are implemented, the long run co-existence between people and snow leopard –especially the existence of snow leopard in this part of the world–will be in question. This has now become an utmost important as the aspiration of the people for economic development has risen significantly and the area has been open to tourism. Study was done by counting snow leopard signs walking systematically in total 18 snow leopard sign transects covering 18.01 km in length in three sites, i.e. Lonak, Khambachen and Dudhpokhari of the Conservation Area. The average sign density was 12.63/km. The livestock depredation by snow leopard for one year (2005-06) was studied by interviewing the herders to understand the responsible and specific bio-physical and economic factors. The study revealed that sub-adult yaks were mostly hunted by snow leopard. Cattle's' winter (December-April) pastures are most vulnerable sites for predation. Presence of bushes, forest and boulders and rugged mountain crevices make good hides for snow leopard. The study also showed that a lax animal guarding system was significantly responsible for high livestock depredation by snow leopard. Blue sheep was observed by walking in selected trails and from vantage points. A total of 354 individual sheep of different age and sex of 14 different herds were recorded during the study period. The study showed that improvement in livestock guarding system should be adopted as the most important activity. However despite the importance of livestock in the KCA it is still not well understood why the herders neglect for proper livestock guarding. Proper guarding system required in winter pastures to reduce the depredation pressure.
|
|
|
Tuyatsatsral, T., Ganbold, B., Ganbat, O., Enkhee, C., Nyambat, N. (2009). Buy Sheep Program and Environmental Planning of Herder Communities Assessment Report. Mongolia: WWF Mongolia.
Abstract: Apparently with the decrease of number of globally endangered snow leopard due to reduction of prey species and loss of habitat, new approaches have been initiated to mitigate conflicts between herders and wildlife, ensuring local participation and building up stakeholders’ responsibility in nature conservation through supporting and guiding of local communities in participation and implementation of collaborative management in sustainable natural resource use. Actually, herder communities, aimed to protect the nature become one of that approaches and made it common consideration, especially in the buffer zones of the Turgen mountain SPA, Tsagaanshuvuut SPA and Gulzat local protected areas of Uvs aimag, where WWF MPO, UNDP and MNET are performing projects, such as “Community based conservation of biodiversity in the mountain landscapes of the Mongolia’s Altai Sayan ecoregion”. Since 2007, in Uvs aimag, particularly in Khaliunbulag bag of Khovd soum, WWF MPO initiated the compensation scheme for herders, aimed to mitigate conflicts between herders and snow leopard, reducing their loss caused by snow leopard and to support them mentally as well.
Current assessment focused on performance evaluation of “Buy sheep” program in Khaliunbulag bag and capability of herder communities , that are established around protected areas, in developing their yearly environmental workplan, including its implementation process.
|
|
|
Tuyatsatsral, T., Ganbold, B., Ganbat, O., Enkhee, C., & Nyambat, N. (2009). Buy Sheep Program and Environmental Planning of Herder Communities Assessment Report. Mongolia: WWF Mongolia.
Abstract: Apparently with the decrease of number of globally endangered snow leopard due to reduction of prey species and loss of habitat, new approaches have been initiated to mitigate conflicts between herders and wildlife, ensuring local participation and building up stakeholders’ responsibility in nature conservation through supporting and guiding of local communities in participation and implementation of collaborative management in sustainable natural resource use. Actually, herder communities, aimed to protect the nature become one of that approaches and made it common consideration, especially in the buffer zones of the Turgen mountain SPA, Tsagaanshuvuut SPA and Gulzat local protected areas of Uvs aimag, where WWF MPO, UNDP and MNET are performing projects, such as “Community based conservation of biodiversity in the mountain landscapes of the Mongolia’s Altai Sayan ecoregion”. Since 2007, in Uvs aimag, particularly in Khaliunbulag bag of Khovd soum, WWF MPO initiated the compensation scheme for herders, aimed to mitigate conflicts between herders and snow leopard, reducing their loss caused by snow leopard and to support them mentally as well.
Current assessment focused on performance evaluation of “Buy sheep” program in Khaliunbulag bag and capability of herder communities , that are established around protected areas, in developing their yearly environmental workplan, including its implementation process.
|
|
|
Ahmad, A. (1994). Protection of Snow Leopards through Grazier Communities:Some Examples from WWF-Pakistan's Projects in the Northern Areas. In J.L.Fox, & D.Jizeng (Eds.), (pp. 265–272). Usa: International Snow Leopard Trust.
Abstract: Snow leopards occur near the snow line in northern Pakistan in the districts of Swat, Dir and Chitral of the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP), Muzaffarabad district in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit and Baltistan districts in the Northern Areas. Although a number of protected areas are present in the form of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and game reserves (Table 1) where legal protection is available to all wildlife species, including snow leopards, the status of this endangered species is not improving satisfactorily. The reasons are many and range from direct persecution by livestock owners to the less than strict management of protected areas.
Because of remote and inaccessible locations and lack of proper communication with local communities, government officials and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) concerned with conservation find it difficult to obtain statistics on mortality of snow leopards. However, the killing of snow leopards is not uncommon. Because of the close and long-term association between local villagers and snow leopards, it is only through the support and cooperation of these peoples that protection of this endangered species can be assured against most of the existing threats. The effects of such cooperation has been clearly shown through some of the conservation projects of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – Pakistan. Details of such projects and certain lessons that can be learned from these and similar projects are discussed in this paper.
|
|
|
Ahmad, A. (1997). Community-Based Natural Resources Management in Northern Pakistan. In R.Jackson and A.Ahmad (Ed.), (pp. 148–154). Lahore, Pakistan: Islt.
|
|
|
Ahmad, I., Hunter, D. O., & Jackson, R. (1997). A Snow Leopard and Prey Species Survey in Khunjerab National Park, Pakistan. In R.Jackson, & A.Ahmad (Eds.), (pp. 92–95). Lahore, Pakistan: Islt.
|
|
|
Ale, S. Conservation of the snow leopard in Nepal.
|
|
|
Ale, S. B. (1994). Snow Leopard in Remote Districts of Nepal (Vol. xii). Seattle: Islt.
|
|
|
Ale, S. B. (1997). The Annapurna Conservation Area Project: A Case Study of an Integrated Conservation and Development Project in Nepal. In R. Jackson, & A. Ahmad (Eds.), (pp. 155–169). Lahore, Pakistan: Islt.
|
|
|
Allen, P. (1999). WWF Progress Report: Irbis Enterprises Snow Leopard Conservation Incentive Project.
|
|
|
Anonymous. (1992). International Specialists Discuss China's Threatened Cats.
|
|
|
Anonymous. (1994). Resolutions Conservation of Snow Leopard, Seventh International Snow Leopard Symposium. In J.L.Fox, & D.Jizeng (Eds.), (pp. 329–331). Usa: Islt.
|
|
|
Anonymous. (1996). Animal Kingdom in North Gansu.
Abstract: A corner of northwest China's Gansu province has become a haven for hundreds of wild and rare animals. They are being helped by the 10,000 strong population who are doing their best to help preserve their neighbors from the animal kingdom. The natural environment in the northern part of the province is said to be well suited to wild animals. Inside the Mongolia Autonomous County of Northern Gansu has become home to 174 various kinds of wild animals, 32 of them under state protection. The animal inhabitants include white lipped deer, wild yak, snow leopard, lynx, brown bear, argali sheep, snow pheasant and Tibetan Gazelle, and they are often found roaming the county's mountainous pasture areas.
|
|
|
Anonymous. (1999). Livestock Predation Control Workshop.
|
|
|
Aramov, B. (1997). The Biology of the Snow Leopard in the Gissarsky Nature Reserve. In R. and A. A. Jackson (Ed.), (pp. 108–109). Lahore, Pakistan: Islt.
|
|
|
Bhatnagar, Y. V., Stakrey, R. W., & Jackson, R. (2000). A Survey of Depredation and Related Wildlife-Human Conflicts in Hemis National Park, Ladakh (India) (Vol. xvi). Seattle: Islt.
|
|