Abundance of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and its wild prey in Chhekampar VDC, Manaslu Conservation Area, Nepal

Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is the striking symbol as well as an indicator of intact eco-regions of high mountains it inhabits. Despite the advancement in new methods, scholars argue that signs are still a reliable indicator for the purpose of habitat use study of snow leopards. The relative abundance of snow leopard and its major prey species such as blue sheep (Pseudois nayar) and Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) in the Chhekampar Village Development Committee within the Tsum Valley of the Manaslu Conservation Area was determined by sign survey using Snow Leopard Information Management System (SLIMS) and block survey using Vantage Point Method, respectively. We also assessed human snow leopard conflict through household and key informant survey. The encounter rate of snow leopard signs were 3.57/km on an average, indicating low abundance, whereas prey species such as blue sheep and Himalayan tahr had 3.8 and 1.8 animals/km2, respectively. The livestock depredation rate was 1.29% with snow leopard accounting to only 0.32% of the total. Due to the low abundance of snow leopard but sufficient number of large-sized wild prey species, livestock predation by snow leopard was minimum, and therefore, the local people had positive perception towards snow leopard conservation. Though the present situation including the local religious tradition and social norms is supportive in conservation of snow leopard, it may not sustain unless incentive programs are encouraged timely.Banko Janakari, Vol. 27, No. 1, Page : 11-20

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

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605318000145 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 54 (3) ◽

pp. 421-428 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

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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First camera-trap record of the snow leopard Panthera uncia in Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Nepal

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s003060532000006x ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Narayan Prasad Koju ◽

Bijay Bashyal ◽

Bishnu Prasad Pandey ◽

Satya Narayan Shah ◽

Shankar Thami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Camera Trap ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Conservation Strategy ◽

Snow Leopard ◽

Musk Deer ◽

Conservation Area ◽

Blue Sheep ◽

Northern Border ◽

Himalayan Tahr ◽

Panthera Uncia

Abstract The snow leopard Panthera uncia is the flagship species of the high mountains of the Himalayas. There is potentially continuous habitat for the snow leopard along the northern border of Nepal, but there is a gap in information about the snow leopard in Gaurishankar Conservation Area. Previous spatial analysis has suggested that the Lamabagar area in this Conservation Area could serve as a transboundary corridor for snow leopards, and that the area may connect local populations, creating a metapopulation. However, there has been no visual confirmation of the species in Lamabagar. We set 11 infrared camera traps for 7 months in Lapchi Village of Gaurishankar Conservation Area, where blue sheep Pseudois nayaur, musk deer Moschus leucogaster and Himalayan tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus, all snow leopard prey species, had been observed. In November 2018 at 4,100 m, 5 km south-west of Lapchi Village, one camera recorded three images of a snow leopard, the first photographic evidence of the species in the Conservation Area. Sixteen other species of mammals were also recorded. Camera-trap records and sightings indicated a high abundance of Himalayan tahr, blue sheep and musk deer. Lapchi Village may be a potentially important corridor for snow leopard movement between the east and west of Nepal and northwards to Quomolongma National Park in China. However, plans for development in the region present increasing threats to this corridor. We recommend development of a transboundary conservation strategy for snow leopard conservation in this region, with participation of Nepal, China and international agencies.

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Recovery of snow leopard Uncia uncia in Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park, Nepal

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605307001585 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 89-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Som B. Ale ◽

Pralad Yonzon ◽

Kamal Thapa

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Information Management System ◽

Snow Leopard ◽

Mount Everest ◽

Grazing Land ◽

System A ◽

Open Forest ◽

Hemitragus Jemlahicus ◽

Himalayan Tahr ◽

Snow Leopards

From September to November 2004 we conducted surveys of snow leopard Uncia uncia signs in three major valleys in Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park in Nepal using the Snow Leopard Information Management System, a standardized survey technique for snow leopard research. We walked 24 transects covering c. 14 km and located 33 sites with 56 snow leopard signs, and 17 signs incidentally in other areas. Snow leopards appear to have re-inhabited the Park, following their disappearance c. 40 years ago, apparently following the recovery of Himalayan tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus and musk deer Moschus chrysogaster populations. Taken together the locations of all 73 recent snow leopard signs indicate that the species is using predominantly grazing land and shrubland/open forest at elevations of 3,000–5,000 m, habitat types that are also used by domestic and wild ungulates. Sagarmatha is the homeland of c. 3,500 Buddhist Sherpas with >3,000 livestock. Along with tourism and associated developments in Sagarmatha, traditional land use practices could be used to ensure coexistence of livestock and wildlife, including the recovering snow leopards, and ensure the wellbeing of the Sherpas.

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The spatial structure of а snow leopard population (Panthera uncia, Felidae, Carnivora) in east Kyrgyzstan

Ecologica Montenegrina ◽

10.37828/em.2020.33.4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 ◽

pp. 17-28

Author(s):

Victor S. Lukarevskiy ◽

Alexander P. Vereshchagin ◽

Svyatoslav V. Lukarevskiy

Keyword(s):

Spatial Structure ◽

Local Population ◽

Field Research ◽

Information Management System ◽

Tien Shan ◽

Snow Leopard ◽

Marking Activity ◽

Snow Leopards ◽

Almost All ◽

Panthera Uncia

The distribution of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia uncia (Shreber, 1775) across its geographic range is associated exclusively with the mountain landscapes. The most important factor in maintaining the integrity and viability of a population is its structure.Our studies were conducted in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and covered most of the range of snow leopard in East Kyrgyzstan. Each territory was surveyed through series of routes. The main methods used in field research were: searching for traces of vital activity, conducting short trail surveys, and using the SLIMS (Snow Leopard Information Management System) technique.In order to study the spatial structure of the snow leopard population, we conducted individual DNA-based identification and GPS registration of bioassays collected from all individuals inhabiting this territory. Biological samples (tissue, fur, and excrement) were obtained following the protocols for collecting bioassays. A total of 146 samples (2 of wool, 2 of tissue, and 142 of excrement) were collected in nature in the Central Tien Shan Mts within Kyrgyzstan (in the Sarychat-Ertash Reserve, and in the area of the Kainar River).Snow leopard DNA was identified in 70 samples. A total of 21 individual snow leopards (8 females and 13 males) were identified. All females of a local population of the Sarychat-Ertash Reserve, with the exception of one, were directly related to each other. The same is true for most of males (11 of 13). Two females were accompanied by kittens. All females settled near the maternal site, while almost all males, which were born there, move away. There is a direct correlation between population density and marking activity.

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Status of Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia) in Humla District, Western Nepal

Scientific World ◽

10.3126/sw.v7i7.3825 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 7 (7) ◽

pp. 49-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

JR Khatiwada ◽

Y Ghimirey

Keyword(s):

Prey Species ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Information Management System ◽

Snow Leopard ◽

Point Count ◽

Long Run ◽

Scientific World ◽

The Status ◽

Snow Leopards ◽

Vantage Points

This study was carried out in the Humla District, West Nepal during April - May 2007. The Snow Leopard Information Management System, SLIMS (second order survey technique) developed by International Snow Leopard Trust was used to determine the status of snow leopard in the area. Altogether, 13 transects (total length of 6.76 km) were laid down in the major two blocks of Humla. A total of 45 snow leopard's Signs (32 scrapes, 11 feces, 1 urine mark and 1 pugmark) were recorded. Fixed-point count from method was used for blue sheep survey from appropriate vantage points. Interviews were conducted to find out relevant information on livestock depredation patterns and locals perception towards snow leopard. Out of 12 households surveyed in the area, 60% of herders lost livestock due to snow leopards. A total of 16 animals were reportedly lost due to snow leopards in 2007. High retaliatory killing and poaching are the major threat to the species in the area. Therefore, long-run survival of the species seems uncertain in the area. Habitat disturbance and over grazing have disturbed the prey species and ultimate impact on snow leopard. More awareness and income generation programs are needed to make the locals aware about the role of predator in the ecosystem. Key words: Snow leopard; Prey species; Status; Humla; Conflict. DOI: 10.3126/sw.v7i7.3825 Scientific World Vol.7(7) 2009 pp.49-52

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

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605317001636 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

pp. 633-642 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

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.

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Assessing changes in distribution of the Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia and its wild prey over 2 decades in the Indian Himalaya through interview-based occupancy surveys

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605317001107 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

pp. 620-632 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Abhishek Ghoshal ◽

Yash Veer Bhatnagar ◽

Bivash Pandav ◽

Koustubh Sharma ◽

Charudutt Mishra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Conservation Status ◽

Distribution Range ◽

Livestock Grazing ◽

Snow Leopard ◽

Blue Sheep ◽

Distribution Ranges ◽

Site Use ◽

Time Periods ◽

Snow Leopards ◽

Panthera Uncia

AbstractUnderstanding species distributions, patterns of change and threats can form the basis for assessing the conservation status of elusive species that are difficult to survey. The snow leopard Panthera uncia is the top predator of the Central and South Asian mountains. Knowledge of the distribution and status of this elusive felid and its wild prey is limited. Using recall-based key-informant interviews we estimated site use by snow leopards and their primary wild prey, blue sheep Pseudois nayaur and Asiatic ibex Capra sibirica, across two time periods (past: 1985–1992; recent: 2008–2012) in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. We also conducted a threat assessment for the recent period. Probability of site use was similar across the two time periods for snow leopards, blue sheep and ibex, whereas for wild prey (blue sheep and ibex combined) overall there was an 8% contraction. Although our surveys were conducted in areas within the presumed distribution range of the snow leopard, we found snow leopards were using only 75% of the area (14,616 km2). Blue sheep and ibex had distinct distribution ranges. Snow leopards and their wild prey were not restricted to protected areas, which encompassed only 17% of their distribution within the study area. Migratory livestock grazing was pervasive across ibex distribution range and was the most widespread and serious conservation threat. Depredation by free-ranging dogs, and illegal hunting and wildlife trade were the other severe threats. Our results underscore the importance of community-based, landscape-scale conservation approaches and caution against reliance on geophysical and opinion-based distribution maps that have been used to estimate national and global snow leopard ranges.

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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 ◽

10.1017/s0030605313000306 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 529-535 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

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.

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

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605314001203 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 214-219 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

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.

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