Issues and Opportunities Associated with Trophy Hunting and Tourism in Khunjerab National Park, Northern Pakistan

Trophy hunting and mass tourism are the two major interventions designed to provide various socioeconomic and ecological benefits at the local and regional levels. However, these interventions have raised some serious concerns that need to be addressed. This study was conducted in Khunjerab National Park (KNP) with an aim to analyze comparatively the socioeconomic and ecological impacts of trophy hunting and mass tourism over the last three decades within the context of sustainability. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with key stakeholders and household interviews were conducted to collect data on trophy hunting and mass tourism, and on local attitudes towards these two interventions in and around KNP. The results revealed that 170 Ibex (Capra sibirica) and 12 Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) were hunted in the study area over the past three decades, and trophy hunting was not based on a sustainable harvest level. Trophy hunting on average generated USD 16,272 annual revenue, which was invested in community development. However, trophy hunting has greatly changed the attitudes of local residents towards wildlife: a positive attitude towards the wild ungulates and strongly negative attitude towards wild carnivores. In addition, trophy hunting has reduced the availability of ungulate prey species for Snow leopards (Panthera uncia), and consequently, Snow leopards have increased their predation on domestic livestock. This has, in turn, increased human–snow leopard conflict, as negative attitudes towards carnivores result in retaliatory killing of Snow leopards. Furthermore, according to official record data, the number of tourists to KNP has increased tremendously by 10,437.8%, from 1382 in 1999 to 145,633 in 2018. Mass tourism on average generated USD 33,904 annually and provided opportunities for locals to earn high incomes, but it caused damages to the environment and ecosystem in KNP through pollution generation and negative impacts on wildlife. Considering the limited benefits and significant problems created by trophy hunting and mass tourism, we suggest trophy hunting should be stopped and mass tourism should be shifted to ecotourism in and around KNP. Ecotourism could mitigate human–Snow leopard conflicts and help conserve the fragile ecosystem, while generating enough revenue incentives for the community to protect biodiversity and compensate for livestock depredation losses to Snow leopards. Our results may have implications for management of trophy hunting and mass tourism in other similar regions that deserve further investigation.

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Factors contributing to a striking shift in human–wildlife dynamics in Hemis National Park, India: 22 years of reported snow leopard depredation

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605317001892 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

pp. 58-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Pushpinder S. Jamwal ◽

Jigmet Takpa ◽

Michael H. Parsons

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Large Population ◽

Well Being ◽

Snow Leopard ◽

Before And After ◽

The Government ◽

Hunting Regulations ◽

Government Records ◽

Snow Leopards ◽

Free Ranging

AbstractHemis National Park of the Trans-Himalayas is home to a large population of the snow leopard Panthera uncia and increasing numbers of agro-pastoralists. To persist in this harsh terrain, farmers have to either farm livestock or hunt free-ranging, native ungulates. The availability of more livestock and fewer natural prey created a dynamic whereby snow leopards depredated livestock, followed by retaliatory killing of snow leopards. In 1992, to assist farmers and wildlife, the government enacted a cost-compensation scheme. Following a decade with marginally fewer depredation events, in 2002, two additional strategies were implemented: predator-proof holding pens and the Himalayan Homestay Programme. We assessed 22 years (1992–2013) of depredation data, comparing the periods before and after the additional initiatives. Government records showed that during 1992–2013, 1,624 livestock were depredated from 339 sites, with c. USD 15,000 paid as compensation. There were significantly more kills annually before (a mean of 41) than after (3.5) the initiatives, and mass killings (≥ 5 animals killed per attack) were significantly reduced from 5.5 to 0.5 events per year. Goats and sheep (57%) and horses (13%) comprised the majority of losses. The marked reduction in depredation occurred whilst regulations against hunting were being enforced, probably resulting in an increase in the number of wild prey as alternative food. We conclude that together, cost-compensation, tighter hunting regulations, improved holding pens and the Homestay Programme helped support the well-being of the community while aiding conservation efforts.

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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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What Factors Predispose Households in Trans-Himalaya (Central Nepal) to Livestock Predation by Snow Leopards?

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10112187 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2187

Author(s):

Mahesh P. Tiwari ◽

Bishnu P. Devkota ◽

Rodney M. Jackson ◽

Bir Bahadur Khanal Chhetri ◽

Sistata Bagale

Keyword(s):

Economic Loss ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Snow Leopard ◽

Conservation Area ◽

Livestock Depredation ◽

Livestock Predation ◽

Domestic Livestock ◽

Average Loss ◽

Snow Leopards

Livestock depredation across the trans-Himalaya causes significant economic losses to pastoralist communities. Quantification of livestock predation and the assessment of variables associated with depredation are crucial for designing effective long-term mitigation measures. We investigated the patterns and factors of livestock depredation by snow leopards (Panthera uncia) using semi-structured questionnaires targeting herders in the Narphu valley of the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. During the two years (2017/18 and 2018/19), 73.9% of the households interviewed (n = 65) lost livestock to snow leopards, with an annual average loss of two livestock per household. Of the total depredation attributed to snow leopards, 55.4% were yak (mainly female: 79%), 31.7% goat, 6.8% sheep, 3.2% horse and 2.8% cattle. Results from applying Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) revealed the total number of livestock owned and the number of larger bodied livestock species as the main explanatory covariates explaining livestock depredation. Forty-one (41%) of all herders considered snow leopard’s preference for domestic livestock as the main factor in livestock predation, whereas only 5% perceived poor herding practice as the main reason for the loss. Our study found poor and changing herding practices in the valley, whereby 71% herders reported careful herding as a solution to snow leopard depredation, and 15% of herders considered the complete extermination of snow leopards as the best solution to the problem. Tolerance levels and awareness among herders towards snow leopard conservation is increasing, mainly due to the Buddhist religion and strict law enforcement within this protected area. We recommend the effective implementation of a community-based livestock insurance scheme to compensate the economic loss of herders due to predation and improved herding practices as the recommended mitigation measures for ensuring livestock security and snow leopards’ conservation in the valley.

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Patterns of livestock depredation and human-wildlife conflict in Misgar valley of Hunza, Pakistan

10.21203/rs.3.rs-264253/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rubina Bano ◽

Akbar Khan ◽

Tahir Mehmood ◽

Waqas Sami ◽

Muhammad Zafar Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Negative Attitude ◽

Influential Factors ◽

Economic Damage ◽

Snow Leopard ◽

Livestock Population ◽

Wildlife Conflict ◽

Domestic Livestock ◽

Mammalian Predator ◽

Human Wildlife Conflict ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Abstract Predators can cause a significant economic damage though preyed on livestock. These conflicts prompt a negative attitude towards their conservation and also leads towards retaliatory killing. Here we composed data from 100 household on livestock using a semi-structured questionnaire survey from 2014 to 2019 on livestock population, depredation patterns, predation count and conservation approaches. The poison regression model showed significant increasesd of predation count at P<0.05 among 22 influential factors such as age , gender, occupation, education of respondent, estimated population of predators, threats index for predators and conservation. A total of 364 out of 9270 livestock damaged by predators and non-predatory factors during the last six years. Among them 168 (1.81 %) attributed by wolf, 142 (1.53 %) by snow leopard and 54 (0.58%) by non-predatory factors. Our results showed an increase of 11 % in the overall population and an average of 60 animals were preyed by predators and non-predatory factors each year. The foremost threat to the mammalian predator was retaliatory killing. The guarded grazing and construction of predator-proof corral pens were identified to protect the domestic livestock predation by wolf and snow leopard respectively. This study specifies measures of conservation to minimize human-carnivore conflicts.

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

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605319001315 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

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.

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

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605317001685 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 54 (1) ◽

pp. 118-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

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.

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Attitudes of Rural Communities to Animal Wildlife and Its Utilization in Chobe Enclave and Mababe Depression, Botswana

Environmental Conservation ◽

10.1017/s0376892900031040 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 245-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 79

Author(s):

David Parry ◽

Bruce Campbell

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

National Parks ◽

Local Community ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Negative Attitude ◽

Cash Income ◽

Negative Attitudes ◽

Animal Products ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Local Populace

Rural communities in northern Botswana had negative attitudes towards animal wildlife even though they received benefits from it. The negative attitude was caused by wildlife damage to crops, losses of livestock to predators, loss of land to conservation, and lack of control over animal wildlife resources. The benefits derived from animal wildlife, such as the possibility of hunting, meat, cash income from animal products, and employment in the wildlife industry, were not highly valued, even though these benefits are of considerable importance to the local community (e.g. much of the local employment is wildlife-related).Respondents who had fewer livestock and were more dependent on wildlife for protein, were more negative than others in their attitudes to animal wildlife. The beneficiaries of the wildlife industry were largely perceived as being the hunting and tourist companies. Respondents who were more affected by animal wildlife, those living closer to higher population-densities, and those having more crop losses, were more negative than others in their attitude to wildlife. The communities were distrustful of government motives and had a poor opinion of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP).It is suggested that the present wildlife development programmes in this region of Botswana are likely to fail unless a change in approach is adopted by the local populace. Essential to our mind for the success of these programmes is the reduction of the negative impacts of animal wildlife, through, for example, fencing of agricultural land, improved control of problem animals, and adequate compensation schemes. It is also essential that local communities be given more control over the wildlife resources than they currently enjoy.

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Investigating the potential impact of trophy hunting of wild ungulates on snow leopard Panthera uncia conservation in Tajikistan

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605316000193 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 597-604 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Shannon M. Kachel ◽

Kyle P. McCarthy ◽

Thomas M. McCarthy ◽

Nuzar Oshurmamadov

Keyword(s):

Financial Incentives ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Economic Status ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Snow Leopard ◽

Wild Ungulates ◽

Trophy Hunting ◽

Similar Area ◽

Snow Leopards ◽

Panthera Uncia

AbstractDeclining availability of prey is potentially a major factor limiting snow leopard Panthera uncia populations in Tajikistan and neighbouring states. Conservation initiatives to develop community-based trophy hunting programmes for ibex Capra sibirica and argali Ovis ammon polii aim to provide financial incentives for communities to limit poaching of wild ungulates. Such programmes could help to reverse local declines in ibex and argali populations, and consequently snow leopard populations, while simultaneously improving the economic status of local people. However, in practice the desired effect may not materialize. To investigate the premise, we estimated the population density of the snow leopard, using a spatial capture–recapture model based on camera trapping in two study areas (each c. 1,000 km2) in the Tajik Pamirs: a well-managed trophy hunting concession and an otherwise similar area where grazing and poaching are unmanaged. We used distance-truncated counts to assess relative densities of wild and domestic ungulates between sites, and faecal analyses to compare the dietary habits of snow leopards. Our data were limited in scope but suggested that the density of snow leopards and the relative density of wild and domestic ungulates may have been greater in the hunting concession, where wild ungulates accounted for a greater proportion of prey items. Our results provide preliminary evidence that trophy hunting of ungulates may be a viable tool for achieving snow leopard conservation goals; however, we conclude that further investigation is necessary to adequately address the question.

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assessing knowledge, attitude and practices of miners and post-occupational miners towards pneumoconiosis in Wusakile Township, Kitwe, Zambia:cross sectional study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.16851 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Stephen Banda

Keyword(s):

Negative Attitude ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Dust Exposure ◽

P Value ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Negative Attitudes ◽

Poor Knowledge ◽

Mining Areas

BACKGROUND Occupational conditions are deadly health hazards especially where dust exposure is inevitable causing chronic disabilities, impaired respiratory function and ultimately leading to death if no intensive measures are put in place. Unhealthy practices and negative attitudes rise in the number of cases of pneumoconiosis due to poor health education and awareness strategies. Pneumoconiosis is not only a health problem but also a social and economic burden on the livelihood of people living in mining areas around the globe. OBJECTIVE to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of miners and post-occupational miners towards pneumoconiosis in Wusakile Township, Kitwe, Zambia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was employed to conduct a research in Wusakile Township and a questionnaire was customized in order to syphon data relevant to the study as well to be brief. The study was conducted among 73 participants who were randomly selected among miners and post-occupational miners and all satisfied the inclusion criteria. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect data. The data was entered and analysed using IBM SPSS software version 23. RESULTS Among 73 participants interviewed, 33.99% of participants had poor knowledge on the complications of pneumoconiosis. However, despite this poor knowledge, all participants had an idea about pneumoconiosis particularly silicosis. 13.70% of the respondents had bad practices towards pneumoconiosis while 86.30% had some good practices towards pneumoconiosis. Of the total participants, 19.18% of the participants had a negative attitude towards pneumoconiosis. Correlation between the level of education and practices of participants using Pearson Chi-Square, a p value of 0.021 (significant) was found ruling out the null hypothesis. CONCLUSIONS Information about pneumoconiosis and awareness programs towards pneumoconiosis are not widely disseminated among miners and post-occupational miners. There is still a significant number of participants who need to be educated more about pneumoconiosis and its complications so that attitude and practices are improved and also promote full community participation by involving competent health professionals to help in implementing preventive measures.

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Awareness and Attitudes Toward HIV Self-Testing in Northern Thailand

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18030852 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 852

Author(s):

Nardeen Shafik ◽

Savana Deeb ◽

Kriengkrai Srithanaviboonchai ◽

Pisittawoot Ayood ◽

Rungnapa Malasao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Negative Attitude ◽

Hiv Stigma ◽

Attitude Score ◽

Local Health ◽

Negative Attitudes ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Northern Thailand ◽

Self Testing ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus

Human Immunodeficiency Virus self-testing (HIVST) was recently introduced in Thailand, but little is known about receptivity among its residents. Because Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing is a critical component of HIV prevention, it is important to understand how HIVST is perceived among potential users. The purpose of this study was to examine awareness and attitudes toward HIVST among adults in Northern Thailand. A convenience sample of 403 adult residents of the Sanpatong district, Chiang Mai Province, was interviewed using a structured questionnaire in 2019. Awareness of HIVST was low (14%), as was the overall HIVST negative attitude score (6.44; possible range of 0–14). The odds of being aware of HIVST were more than twice as high for those with more education compared to those with less (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.22–4.30), and roughly half as high for those who expressed HIV stigma compared to those who did not (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.26–0.91). Holding negative attitudes towards HIVST also was associated with lower education and expressing HIV stigma, but these relationships disappeared in multivariate analysis. Findings may be used by local health organizations to tailor HIVST education efforts.

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