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Author Mishra, C., Suryawanshi, K.
Title Managing conflicts over livestock depradation by Large Carnivores Type Book Chapter
Year 2014 Publication SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION – Human-Wildlife Conflict in the Mountains of SAARC Region – Compilation of Successful Management Strategies and Practices Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 27-47
Keywords Snow leopard Panthera uncia, wolf Canis lupus, Himalayas, Central Asia
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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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1424
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Author Tumursukh, L., Suryawanshi, K. R., Mishra, C., McCarthy, T. M., Boldgiv, B.
Title Status of the mountain ungulate prey of the Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia in the Tost Local Protected Area, South Gobi, Mongolia Type Journal Article
Year 2015 Publication Oryx Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-6
Keywords Argali, Central Asia, double-observer survey, ibex, Panthera uncia, snow leopard, ungulate prey
Abstract The availability of wild prey is a critical predictor of carnivore density. However, few conservation pro- grammes have focused on the estimation and monitoring of wild ungulate populations and their trends, especially in the remote mountains of Central Asia. We conducted double-observer surveys to estimate the populations of ibex Capra sibirica and argali Ovis ammon in the mountain- ous regions of Tost Local Protected Area, South Gobi prov- ince, Mongolia, which is being considered for designation as a Nature Reserve. We also conducted demographic surveys of the more abundant ibex to examine their sex-ratio and the survival of young during –. The estimated ibex population remained stable in  and  and the es- timated argali population increased from  in  to  in . The biomass of wild ungulates was c. % that of live- stock. Mortality in young ibex appeared to increase after weaning, at the age of  months. We estimated the popula- tion of wild ungulates was sufficient to support – adult snow leopards Panthera uncia. The adult snow leopard population in our study area during –, estimated independently using camera-trap-based mark–recapture methods, was –. Based on our results we identify the Tost Local Protected Area as an important habitat for the conservation of these ungulates and their predator, the Endangered snow leopard, and recommend elevation of its status to a Nature Reserve.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1425
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Author Sharma, R. K., Bhatnagar, Y. V., Mishra, C.
Title Does livestock benefit or harm snow leopards? Type Journal Article
Year 201 Publication Biological Conservatio Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue 190 Pages 8-13
Keywords Panthera uncia, Trans-Himalaya, Pastoralism, Large carnivores, Livestock grazing, Co-existence
Abstract Large carnivores commonly prey on livestock when their ranges overlap. Pastoralism is the dominant land use type across the distributional range of the endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia. Snow leop- ards are often killed in retaliation against livestock depredation. Whether livestock, by forming an alter- native prey, could potentially benefit snow leopards, or, whether livestock use of an area is detrimental to snow leopards is poorly understood. We examined snow leopard habitat use in a multiple use landscape that was comprised of sites varying in livestock abundance, wild prey abundance and human population size. We photographically sampled ten sites (average size 70 sq. km) using ten camera traps in each site, deployed for a period of 60 days. Snow leopard habitat use was computed as a Relative Use Index based on the total independent photographic captures and the number of snow leopard individuals captured at each site. We quantified livestock abundance, wild prey abundance, human population size and terrain ruggedness in each of the sites. Key variables influencing snow leopard habitat use were identified using Information Theory based model selection approach. Snow leopard habitat use was best explained by wild prey density, and showed a positive linear relationship with the abundance of wild ungulates. We found a hump-shaped relationship between snow leopard habitat use and livestock stocking density, with an initial increase in habitat use followed by a decline beyond a threshold of livestock density. Our results suggest that in the absence of direct persecution of snow leopards, livestock grazing and snow leopard habitat use are potentially compatible up to a certain threshold of livestock density, beyond which habitat use declines, presumably due to depressed wild ungulate abundance and associated anthropogenic disturbance.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1426
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Author Taubmann, J., Sharma, K., Uulu, K Z., Hines, J. E., Mishra, C.
Title Status assessment of the Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia and other large mammals in the Kyrgyz Alay, using community knowledge corrected for imperfect detection Type Journal Article
Year 2015 Publication Fauna & Flora International Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-11
Keywords Capra sibirica, local knowledge, Lynx lynx, occupancy modelling, Ovis ammon polii, Panthera uncia, Ursus arctos
Abstract The Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia occurs

in the Central Asian Mountains, which cover c.  million

km. Little is known about its status in the Kyrgyz Alay

Mountains, a relatively narrow stretch of habitat connecting

the southern and northern global ranges of the species. In

 we gathered information on current and past (,

the last year of the Soviet Union) distributions of snow leopards

and five sympatric large mammals across , km

of the Kyrgyz Alay.We interviewed  key informants from

local communities. Across  -km grid cells we obtained

, and  records of species occurrence (site

use) in  and , respectively. The data were analysed

using themulti-season site occupancy framework to incorporate

uncertainty in detection across interviewees and time

periods. High probability of use by snow leopards in the past

was recorded in .% of the Kyrgyz Alay. Between the two

sampling periods % of sites showed a high probability of

local extinction of snow leopard. We also recorded high

probability of local extinction of brown bear Ursus arctos

(% of sites) and Marco Polo sheep Ovis ammon polii

(% of sites), mainly in regions used intensively by people.

Data indicated a high probability of local colonization by

lynx Lynx lynx in % of the sites. Although wildlife has

declined in areas of central and eastern Alay, regions in

the north-west, and the northern and southern fringes

appear to retain high conservation value.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1432
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Author Alexander, J. S., Shi, K., Tallents, L. A., Riordan, P.
Title On the high trail: examining determinants of site use by the Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia in Qilianshan, China Type Journal Article
Year 2015 Publication Oryx Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Fauna & Flora International Pages 1-8
Keywords Camera Trap, China, Detection Probability, Occupancy Modelling, Panthera Uncia, Site use, Snow Leopard
Abstract Abstract There is a need for simple and robust techniques for assessment and monitoring of populations of the Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia to inform the de- velopment of action plans for snow leopard conservation. We explored the use of occupancy modelling to evaluate the influence of environmental and anthropogenic features on snow leopard site-use patterns. We conducted a camera trap survey across  km in Gansu Province, China, and used data from  camera traps to estimate probabilities of site use and detection using the single season occupancy model. We assessed the influence of three covariates on site use by snow leopards: elevation, the presence of blue sheep Pseudois nayaur and the presence of human disturb- ance (distance to roads). We recorded  captures of snow leopards over , trap-days, representing a mean capture success of . captures per  trap-days. Elevation had the strongest influence on site use, with the probability of site use increasing with altitude, whereas the influence of presence of prey and distance to roads was relatively weak. Our findings indicate the need for practical and robust tech- niques to appraise determinants of site use by snow leo- pards, especially in the context of the limited resources available for such work.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1433
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Author Alexander, J. S., Zhang, C., Shi, K., Riordan, P.
Title A spotlight on snow leopard conservation in China Type Journal Article
Year 2016 Publication Integrative Zoology Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue 11 Pages
Keywords China, conservation, Panthera uncia, research prioritization
Abstract China holds the greatest proportion of the snow leopard’s (Panthera uncia) global range and is central to their conservation. The country is also undergoing unprecedented economic growth, which increases both the threats to the snow leopard and the opportunities for its conservation. In this paper we aim to review published literature (from 1950 to 2014) in English and Mandarin on snow leopard ecology and conservation in China in order to identify thematic and geographic research gaps and propose research priorities. We first retrieved all publish items that considered snow leopards in China (n = 106). We extracted from these papers 274 reports of snow leopard presence in China. We then reviewed a subset of papers (n = 33) of this literature, which specifically focused on snow leopard ecology and conservation within China. We introduced a thematic framework that allows a structured and comprehensive assessment of findings. This framework recognizes 4 critical and interrelated topics underpinning snow leopard ecology and conservation: habitat (distribution and protected area coverage); prey (distribution and abundance, predator–prey relationships); human interactions (hunting and trade, livestock interactions and conflicts); and the underlying policy context. Significant gains in knowledge as well as research gaps and priorities are discussed with reference to our framework. The modest quantity and limited scope of published research on the snow leopard in China calls for a continued and intensified effort to inform and support national conservation policies.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1442
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Author Weiskopf, S. R., Kachel, S. M., McCarthy, K. P.
Title 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 Johansson, O., Rauset, G. R., Samelius, G., McCarthy, T., Andren, H., Tumursukh, L., Mishra, C.
Title Land sharing is essential for snow leopard conservation Type Journal Article
Year 2016 Publication Biological Conservation Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue 203 Pages 1-7
Keywords Home range, LoCoH, Mongolia, Panthera uncial, Protected areas, Land sparing
Abstract Conserving large carnivores in an increasingly crowded planet raises difficult challenges. A recurring debate is whether large carnivores can be conserved in human used landscapes (land sharing) or whether they require specially designated areas (land sparing). Here we show that 40% of the 170 protected areas in the global range of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) are smaller than the home range of a single adult male and only 4– 13% are large enough for a 90% probability of containing 15 or more adult females. We used data from 16 snow leopards equipped with GPS collars in the Tost Mountains of South Gobi, Mongolia, to calculate home range size and overlap using three different estimators: minimum convex polygons (MCP), kernel utility distributions (Kernel), and local convex hulls (LoCoH). Local convex hull home ranges were smaller and included lower proportions of unused habitats compared to home ranges based on minimum convex polygons and Kernels. Intra-sexual home range overlapwas low, especially for adult males, suggesting that snowleopards are territorial. Mean home range size based on the LoCoH estimates was 207 km2 ± 63 SD for adult males and 124 km2 ± 41 SD for adult females. Our estimates were 6–44 times larger than earlier estimates based on VHF technology when comparing similar estimators, i.e. MCP. Our study illustrates that protected areas alone will not be able to conserve predatorswith large home ranges and conservationists and managers should not restrict their efforts to land sparing.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1446
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Author Mishra, C., Young, J. C., Fiechter, M., Rutherford, B., Redpath, S. M.
Title Building partnerships with communities for biodiversity conservation: lessons from Asian mountains Type Journal Article
Year 2017 Publication Journal of Applied Ecology Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-9
Keywords community engagement, conservation, conservation programmes, Panthera uncia, partnership, snow leopard, stakeholder engagement
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.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1451
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Author Mallon, D. P., Jackson, R. M.
Title A downlist is not a demotion: Red List status and reality Type Journal Article
Year 2017 Publication Oryx Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-5
Keywords Cryptic, IUCN Red List, Panthera uncia, population estimate, snow leopard, species assessment
Abstract Assessments of biodiversity status are needed to

track trends, and the IUCN Red List has become the accepted

global standard for documenting the extinction

risk of species. Obtaining robust data on population size is

an essential component of any assessment of a species� status,

including assessments for the IUCN Red List. Obtaining

such estimates is complicated by methodological and

logistical issues, which are more pronounced in the case of

cryptic species, such as the snow leopard Panthera uncia.

Estimates of the total population size of this species have,

to date, been based on little more than guesstimates, but a

comprehensive summary of recent field research indicates

that the conservation status of the snow leopard may be

less dire than previously thought. A revised categorization,

from Endangered to Vulnerable, on the IUCN Red List was

proposed but met some opposition, as did a recent, similar

recategorization of the giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca.

Possible factors motivating such attitudes are discussed.

Downlisting on the IUCN Red List indicates that the species

concerned is further from extinction, and is always to be

welcomed, whether resulting from successful conservation

intervention or improved knowledge of status and trends.

Celebrating success is important to reinforce the message

that conservation works, and to incentivize donors.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1460
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