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Din, J. U., Bari, F., Ali, H., Rehman, E. U., Adli, D. S. H., Abdullah, N. A., Norma-Rashid, Y., Kabir, M., Hameed, S., Nawaz, D. A., Nawaz, M. A. (2022). Drivers of snow leopard poaching and trade in Pakistan and implications for management. Nature Conservation, 46, 49–62.
Abstract: The snow leopard is one of the highly valued species from high-altitude mountain ecosystems of Central and Southeast Asia, including Pakistan. This keystone species is facing a myriad of conventional and emerging threats, including poaching and trade, that are poorly documented in Pakistan. To understand the dynamics and drivers of the poaching and trading of snow leopards in Pakistan, we investigated the issue in depth through a multifaceted survey in the snow leopard range of the country. We recorded 101 snow leopard poaching incidences from 11 districts during 2005–2017. The reported poaching incidences varied spatially (‒x = 9 ± 2.6 [95% Cl: 3–15]) and temporally (‒x = 7.8 ± 1.09) and accounted for 2–4% annual population loss (n = 200–420) in a period of 13 years. Poaching and trade together constituted 89% of the total incidence reported and animals were mostly shot (66%), poisoned (12%), snared (12%) and captured (4%), respectively. Only a fraction (3%) of the incidences were reported to the relevant law enforcement agencies. Trade routes included large cities and neighbouring countries, even the Middle East and Europe. The average base and end prices for each item were 245 ± 36 USD and 1,736 ± 520 USD, respectively, while maximum monetary fines set as per the law were 275 USD. Our results establish the need for developing multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms at regional, national and international levels and information sharing to curb this menace. Improving the existing laws and surveillance system, while taking the local communities onboard, will further help to this end.
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Kanderian, N., Lawson, D., Zahler, P. (2011). Current status of wildlife and conservation in Afghanistan. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 68(3), 281–298.
Abstract: Afghanistan’s position in latitude, geography and at the intersection of three biogeographic realms has resulted in a surprising biodiversity. Its wildlife includes species such as the snow leopard, Asiatic black bear, Marco Polo sheep, markhor and greater flamingo. Principal threats include high levels of deforestation, land encroachment and hunting for food and trade. Continuing security issues have also made it difficult to monitor species abundance and population trends. Over the last decade, however, survey efforts have provided the first collection of species and habitat data since the late 1970s. Initial findings are enabling the Government and rural communities to begin implementing important conservation measures. This process has included policy development and protected area planning, promoting alternative livelihoods and responsible community management, and continuing research into the status of biodiversity in the field.
Keywords: Afghanistan; Biodiversity; Deforestation; Hunting; Illegal trade; Agriculture; Livelihood; Governance; Survey; Training
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Maheshwari, A., Niraj, S. K. (2018). Monitoring illegal trade in snow leopards: 2003e2014. Elsevier, , 1–6.
Abstract: Illegal trade in snow leopards (Panthera uncia) has been identified as one of the major
threats to long-term survival of the species in the wild. To quantify severity of the threats to dwindling snow leopard population, we examined market and questionnaire surveys, and information from the published and unpublished literature on illegal trade and poaching of snow leopards.We collected information from 11 of the 12 snow leopard range counties in central and southern Asia, barring Kazakhstan, and reported 439 snow leopards (88 records) in illegal trade during 2003e2014, which represents a loss of approximately 8.4%e10.9% snow leopard population (assuming mid-point population of 5240 to minimum population of 4000 individuals) in a period of 12 years. Our data suggested a 61% decadal increase in snow leopard trade during 2003e2012 compared with 1993e2002, while taking the note of significant strengthening of wildlife enforcement and crime control network in the decades of 2000s and 2010s. We found 50% prosecution rate of snow leopard crimes resulting in only 20% conviction rate globally. Many limitations e.g., secretive nature of illegal trade, ill developed enforcement mechanism, poor and passive documentation of snow leopards' seizures, restricted us to reflect actual trend of snow leopards' illegal trade. Even on a conservative scale the present situation is alarming and may detrimental to snow leopard conservation. We propose an effective networking of enforcement efforts and coordination among the law enforcement agencies, efficient collection of data and data management, and sharing of intelligence in snow leopard range countries, could be useful in curbing illegal trade in snow leopards in central and southern Asia. |