scholarly journals Determinants of herder attitudes towards the Vulnerable snow leopard Panthera uncia in Yushu Prefecture, China

Oryx ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte E. Hacker ◽  
Yunchuan Dai ◽  
Yifan Cheng ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Yuguang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formal Education ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Qinghai Province ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Snow Leopards ◽  
Financial Burdens ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Panthera Uncia

Abstract Yushu Prefecture in Qinghai Province provides some of the largest known stretches of habitat for the Vulnerable snow leopard Panthera uncia in China. People living in these areas are dependent on agropastoralism. Support from local communities is necessary for effective long-term conservation action for snow leopards, but loss of livestock to snow leopards can create financial burdens that induce negative attitudes and encourage retaliatory killing. We assessed factors driving herders' attitudes towards snow leopards and their conservation. We found that herders had higher agreement with positive than with negative statements about snow leopards despite nearly half reporting livestock loss to snow leopards within the last 5 years. No retaliatory killing was reported. Herders with more years of formal education and fewer livestock losses were more likely to have positive attitudes whereas those with lower importance of snow leopards to their religion, fewer livestock losses, and fewer years of education were more likely to have negative attitudes. Understanding the multifaceted mechanisms responsible for positive views towards species is imperative for reaching conservation goals. Our findings ascribe to the importance of increased education and adherence to Tibetan beliefs in promoting conservation tolerance towards snow leopards in Qinghai Province, but also indicate a need for further research into the impact of livestock loss.

scholarly journals Co-occurrence of snow leopard Panthera uncia, Siberian ibex Capra sibirica and livestock: potential relationships and effects

Oryx ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Rovero ◽  
Claudio Augugliaro ◽  
Rasmus Worsøe Havmøller ◽  
Claudio Groff ◽  
Fridolin Zimmermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
Large Carnivores ◽  
Altai Mountains ◽  
Wild Ungulates ◽  
Wild Ungulate ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Snow Leopards ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Panthera Uncia

AbstractUnderstanding the impact of livestock on native wildlife is of increasing conservation relevance. For the Vulnerable snow leopard Panthera uncia, wild prey reduction, intensifying human–wildlife conflicts and retaliatory killings are severe threats potentially exacerbated by the presence of livestock. Elucidating patterns of co-occurrence of snow leopards, wild ungulate prey, and livestock, can be used to assess the compatibility of pastoralism with conservation. We used camera trapping to study the interactions of livestock, Siberian ibex Capra sibirica and snow leopards in a national park in the Altai mountains, Mongolia. We obtained 494 detections of wild mammals and 912 of domestic ungulates, dogs and humans. Snow leopards and Siberian ibex were recorded 14 and 33 times, respectively. Co-occurrence modelling showed that livestock had a higher estimated occupancy (0.65) than ibex, whose occupancy was lower in the presence of livestock (0.11) than in its absence (0.34–0.35 depending on scenarios modelled). Snow leopard occupancy did not appear to be affected by the presence of livestock or ibex but the robustness of such inference was limited by uncertainty around the estimates. Although our sampling at presumed snow leopard passing sites may have led to fewer ibex detections, results indicate that livestock may displace wild ungulates, but may not directly affect the occurrence of snow leopards. Snow leopards could still be threatened by livestock, as overstocking can trigger human–carnivore conflicts and hamper the conservation of large carnivores. Further research is needed to assess the generality and strength of our results.

scholarly journals Visitors’ willingness to pay for snow leopard Panthera uncia conservation in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

Oryx ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 633-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice G. Schutgens ◽  
Jonathan H. Hanson ◽  
Nabin Baral ◽  
Som B. Ale
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Economic Valuation ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Conservation Area ◽  
Annapurna Conservation Area ◽  
Snow Leopards ◽  
Logit Regression Model ◽  
Panthera Uncia

AbstractThe Vulnerable snow leopard Panthera uncia experiences persecution across its habitat in Central Asia, particularly from herders because of livestock losses. Given the popularity of snow leopards worldwide, transferring some of the value attributed by the international community to these predators may secure funds and support for their conservation. We administered contingent valuation surveys to 406 international visitors to the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal, between May and June 2014, to determine their willingness to pay a fee to support the implementation of a Snow Leopard Conservation Action Plan. Of the 49% of visitors who stated they would pay a snow leopard conservation fee in addition to the existing entry fee, the mean amount that they were willing to pay was USD 59 per trip. The logit regression model showed that the bid amount, the level of support for implementing the Action Plan, and the number of days spent in the Conservation Area were significant predictors of visitors’ willingness to pay. The main reasons stated by visitors for their willingness to pay were a desire to protect the environment and an affordable fee. A major reason for visitors’ unwillingness to pay was that the proposed conservation fee was too expensive for them. This study represents the first application of economic valuation to snow leopards, and is relevant to the conservation of threatened species in the Annapurna Conservation Area and elsewhere.

Interculturalism and the Acceptance of Minority Groups

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maykel Verkuyten ◽  
Kumar Yogeeswaran
Keyword(s):  
Minority Groups ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Survey Experiment ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Social Psychological Research ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Situational Effect

Abstract. Multiculturalism has been criticized and rejected by an increasing number of politicians, and social psychological research has shown that it can lead to outgroup stereotyping, essentialist thinking, and negative attitudes. Interculturalism has been proposed as an alternative diversity ideology, but there is almost no systematic empirical evidence about the impact of interculturalism on the acceptance of migrants and minority groups. Using data from a survey experiment conducted in the Netherlands, we examined the situational effect of promoting interculturalism on acceptance. The results show that for liberals, but not for conservatives, interculturalism leads to more positive attitudes toward immigrant-origin groups and increased willingness to engage in contact, relative to multiculturalism.

scholarly journals Large carnivores and low diversity of optimal prey: a comparison of the diets of snow leopards Panthera uncia and wolves Canis lupus in Sarychat-Ertash Reserve in Kyrgyzstan

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kubanychbek Jumabay-Uulu ◽  
Per Wegge ◽  
Charudutt Mishra ◽  
Koustubh Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Tien Shan ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
Large Prey ◽  
Field Surveys ◽  
Competition For Food ◽  
Snow Leopards ◽  
Ovis Ammon ◽  
Tien Shan Mountains ◽  
Panthera Uncia

AbstractIn the cold and arid mountains of Central Asia, where the diversity and abundance of wild ungulates are generally low, resource partitioning among coexisting carnivores is probably less distinct than in prey-rich areas. Thus, similar-sized carnivores are likely to compete for food. We compared the summer diets of snow leopards Panthera uncia and wolves Canis lupus in Sarychat-Ertash Reserve in the Tien-Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, based on analysis of genetically confirmed scats. Abundances of the principal prey species, argali Ovis ammon and Siberian ibex Capra sibirica, were estimated from field surveys. The diets consisted of few species, with high interspecific overlap (Pianka's index = 0.91). Argali was the predominant prey, with > 50% frequency of occurrence in both snow leopard and wolf scats. This was followed by Siberian ibex and marmots Marmota baibacina. Being largely unavailable, remains of livestock were not detected in any of the scats. In the snow leopard diet, proportions of argali and ibex were in line with the relative availabilities of these animals in the Reserve. This was in contrast to the diet of wolf, where argali occurred according to availability and ibex was significantly underrepresented. The high diet overlap indicates that the two predators might compete for food when the diversity of profitable, large prey is low. Competition may be more intense in winter, when marmots are not available. Hunting of argali and ibex outside the Reserve may be unsustainable and therefore reduce their abundances over time. This will affect both predators negatively and intensify competition for food. Reduction in ibex populations will directly affect the snow leopard, and the wolf is likely to be indirectly affected as a result of increased snow leopard predation of argali.

scholarly journals Status of the mountain ungulate prey of the Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia in the Tost Local Protected Area, South Gobi, Mongolia

Oryx ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lkhagvasumberel Tumursukh ◽  
Kulbhushansingh R. Suryawanshi ◽  
Charudutt Mishra ◽  
Thomas M. McCarthy ◽  
Bazartseren Boldgiv
Keyword(s):  
Protected Area ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
Wild Ungulates ◽  
Mountainous Regions ◽  
Demographic Surveys ◽  
Snow Leopards ◽  
Ovis Ammon ◽  
Panthera Uncia

AbstractThe availability of wild prey is a critical predictor of carnivore density. However, few conservation programmes 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 mountainous regions of Tost Local Protected Area, South Gobi province, 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 2012–2013. The estimated ibex population remained stable in 2012 and 2013 and the estimated argali population increased from 108 in 2012 to 230 in 2013. The biomass of wild ungulates was c. 6% that of livestock. Mortality in young ibex appeared to increase after weaning, at the age of 12 months. We estimated the population of wild ungulates was sufficient to support 14–18 adult snow leopards Panthera uncia. The adult snow leopard population in our study area during 2012–2013, estimated independently using camera-trap-based mark–recapture methods, was 12–14. 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.

scholarly journals Actitudes del profesorado de secundaria hacia estudiantes con diagnóstico de trastorno mental en colegios de la provincia de Concepción y Diguillín: Un estudio cualitativo

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 283-298
Author(s):  
Cecilia Cariaga Balboa ◽  
Pamela Grandon Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Middle School Teachers ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Teachers Attitudes ◽  
The Impact

Las actitudes de los profesores hacia estudiantes con diagnóstico de trastorno mental han sido escasamente exploradas en Chile y Latinoamérica, a pesar de su importancia por el impacto que tienen en el proceso de aprendizaje de los alumnos. El presente estudio tuvo por objetivo describir las actitudes de los profesores de secundaria hacia estudiantes que presentan un diagnóstico de trastorno mental. Esta investigación empleó una metodología cualitativa con enfoque fenomenológico. Se utilizó análisis de contenido y temático para analizar los corpus. La muestra se obtuvo por conveniencia y correspondió a 30 profesores de enseñanza secundaria procedentes de colegios de diferente dependencia administrativa (municipal, subvencionado y particular). Se realizaron entrevistas semi estructuradas, por saturación teórica. Los resultados muestran que los profesores de enseñanza secundaria manifiestan actitudes contradictorias, positivas y negativas, hacia sus estudiantes con trastorno mental (TM). Las actitudes negativas tienen que ver con el temor y peligrosidad mientras que las actitudes positivas están relacionadas con el apoyo y expectativas favorables de éxito. Las actitudes negativas son comparables con las que mantiene la población en general, mientras que las actitudes positivas y las expectativas favorables de éxito hacia sus estudiantes podrían explicarse por el impacto de la educación inclusiva en los colegios y la teoría del contacto. Estos resultados deberían servir para guiar a los establecimientos educacionales en la mejora de las actitudes de los docentes hacia estudiantes con TM. Teachers' attitudes towards students with a diagnosis of mental disorder have been little explored in Chile and Latin America, despite their importance due to the impact they have on the learning process of students. The present study aimed to describe the attitudes of secondary school teachers towards students who present a diagnosis of mental disorder. This research used a qualitative methodology with a phenomenological approach. Content and thematic analysis was used to analyze the corpus. The sample was obtained for convenience and corresponded to 30 middle school teachers average coming from schools of different administrative dependency (municipal, subsidized and private). Semi-structured interviews were carried out, due to theoretical saturation. The results show that middle school teachers show contradictory, positive and negative attitudes towards their students with mental disorder (TM). Negative attitudes have to do with fear and dangerousness while positive attitudes are related to support and favorable expectations of success. Negative attitudes are comparable to those held by the general population, while positive attitudes and favorable expectations of success towards their students could be explained by the impact of inclusive education in schools and the theory of contact. These results should serve to guide educational establishments in improving teachers' attitudes towards students with TM.

scholarly journals Pursue today and assess tomorrow - how students’ subjective perceptions influence their preference for self- and peer assessments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meskuere Capan Melser ◽  
Stefan Lettner ◽  
Andjela Bäwert ◽  
Claudia Puttinger ◽  
Anita Holzinger
Keyword(s):  
Peer Assessment ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Subjective Perceptions ◽  
Passive Learning ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Alternative assessments engage students in the assessment process to improve both short- and long-term outcomes by developing their judgments and responsibility about their own learning, and that of their peers. In this study, we investigated students’ perception towards self- and peer-assessment, their objectivity and impact on students’ learning. Methods The study was conducted at the Medical University of Vienna. Attitudes of second year undergraduate medical students towards self- and peer-assessment, and their objectivity, appropriateness, and the impact of these assessments on students’ learning activities, was inquired using a self-developed questionnaire. Results 423 students participated in this study. Self-assessment was found more appropriate method to assess students’ knowledge. Most of students agreed that peer-assessment is not objective (M= -0.07). Majority of students evaluated that peer assessment has no or little impact on their active and passive learning (M= -0.23, -0.35), on the other hand self-assessment was reported as a helpful tool for gaining long-term knowledge (M= 0.13) and following the content of courses (M= 0.16). Conclusion Based on our results, students’ perspective on peer assessment were negative, on the whole, students had positive attitudes towards self-assessment and negative attitudes towards peer-assessment. This study also determined that self-assessment leads to the promotion of students’ learning.

scholarly journals Spatial variation in population-density, movement and detectability of snow leopards in a multiple use landscape in Spiti Valley, Trans-Himalaya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rishi Kumar Sharma ◽  
Koustubh Sharma ◽  
David Borchers ◽  
Yash Veer Bhatnagar ◽  
Kulbhushan Singh Suryawanshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Land Sharing ◽  
Land Sparing ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Human Use ◽  
Snow Leopards ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia occurs in human use landscapes in the mountains of South and Central Asia. Conservationists generally agree that snow leopards must be conserved through a land-sharing approach, rather than land-sparing in the form of strictly protected areas. Effective conservation through land-sharing requires a good understanding of how snow leopards respond to human use of the landscape. Snow leopard density is expected to show spatial variation within a landscape because of variation in the intensity of human use and the quality of habitat. However, snow leopards have been difficult to enumerate and monitor. Variation in the density of snow leopards remains undocumented, and the impact of human use on their populations is poorly understood. We examined spatial variation in snow leopard density in Spiti Valley, an important snow leopard landscape in India, via spatially explicit capture recapture analysis of camera trap data. We camera trapped an area encompassing a minimum convex polygon of 953 km2. We estimated an overall density of 0.49 (95% CI: 0.39-0.73) adult snow leopards per 100 km2. Using AIC, our best model showed the density of snow leopards to depend on wild prey density, movement about activity centres to depend on altitude, and the expected number of encounters at the activity centre to depend on topography. Models that also used livestock biomass as a density covariate ranked second, but the effect of livestock was weak. Our results highlight the importance of maintaining high density pockets of wild prey populations in multiple use landscapes to enhance snow leopard conservation.

scholarly journals Status and conservation of the snow leopard Panthera uncia in Api Nampa Conservation Area, Nepal

Oryx ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopal Khanal ◽  
Laxman Prasad Poudyal ◽  
Bishnu Prasad Devkota ◽  
Rishi Ranabhat ◽  
Per Wegge
Keyword(s):  
Forest Products ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Encounter Rate ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
Conservation Area ◽  
Sign Surveys ◽  
Snow Leopards ◽  
Panthera Uncia

AbstractThe snow leopard Panthera uncia is globally threatened and reliable information on its abundance, distribution and prey species is a prerequisite for its conservation. In October–November 2014 we assessed the distribution of the snow leopard in the recently established Api Nampa Conservation Area in the Nepal Himalayas. Within selected blocks we conducted sign surveys and counted the number of bharal Pseudois nayaur, its principal wild prey, along transects totalling 106 km. We recorded 203 putative snow leopard signs at an encounter rate of 1.91 signs/km. Generalized linear models of the number of signs detected per transect showed that elevation had a positive influence and human activities a negative influence on sign encounter rate; prey abundance had only a weak positive influence on sign encounter rate. Within the effectively surveyed area of c. 200 km2, we counted 527 bharal at an estimated density of 2.28 animals/km2. Recruitment of bharal was low, estimated at 48 kids/100 adult females, most likely a result of poor or overgrazed rangeland. We estimate the total number of bharal in this conservation area to be > 1,000, a prey base that could sustain 6–9 snow leopards. Based on our field observations, we identified human disturbance and habitat degradation associated with extraction of non-timber forest products, livestock grazing, and poaching as the main threats to the snow leopard. Standardized sign surveys, preferably supplemented by sampling with remote cameras or with genetic analysis of scats would provide robust baseline information on the abundance of snow leopards in this conservation area.

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