A checklist of mammals of Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Nepal

Abstract

Understanding the mammalian fauna is one of the first steps for protected areas management. Proper taxonomic identification is essential for initiating long-term conservation management and species action plans. Here, we present the checklist of mammals of Gaurishankar Conservation Area based on direct observation, field reports, key interviews, focal group discussion, and a literature review. Seventy-seven species of mammals belonging to eight orders and 26 families were known to occur in the region. Of these, only 32 species were of confirmed occurrence and are based on direct observation and camera trap records. The remaining 45 species listed in the checklist were based on interviews and literature. Small mammals of orders Chiroptera and Rodentia were reported less based on interviews and literature surveys, hence needs further studies to confirm their existence. The highest species belonged to the order Carnivora (25 species), followed by Chiroptera (21 species), Rodentia (12 species), Cetartiodactyla (7), Lagomorpha (5), Eulipotyphla (3), Primates (3) and Pholidota (1). A more robust taxonomic study particularly focusing on small mammals is warranted considering the ecological gradients and topography in the region.

Human‐wildlife conflict at high altitude: A case from Gaurishankar conservation area, Nepal

“…GCA encompasses diverse vegetation types: forests and bushes 44.5%, cultivated land 8.8%, grasslands 8.6%, glaciers 2.77%, and the rest are barren land, cropland, built‐up area, and others (Figure 1). The conservation area supports a remarkable diversity of 565 plant species, 78 mammal species, 16 fish species, 9 amphibian species, 22 reptile species, and 235 bird species (Chetri et al., 2022; NTNC, 2023; Pathak et al., 2022). Despite this, the abundance of large‐sized prey species (e.g., blue sheep Pseudois nayaur ) is low in the region (Chetri et al., 2017).…”

First photo evidence of Siberian Weasel Mustela sibirica Pallas, 1773 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Nepal

“…The GCA was established in 2010, and thereafter, several researchand biodiversity surveys have been conducted (GCA 2013). The recently published mammalian checklist of GCA highlighted the possibility of the presence of Siberian Weasel through a literature survey (Chetri et al 2022). However, there was no confirmed evidence of their presence until the present finding.…”

Seasonal Prey Abundance and Food Plasticity of the Vulnerable Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) in the Lapchi Valley, Nepal Himalayas

“…Lapchi Valley comprises sub-tropical to nival bio-climatic zones with 16 major vegetation types [22,23]. Recorded faunal diversity includes 235 bird species, 77 mammal, 16 fish, 14 snake, 10 amphibian and 8 lizard species [10,24,25]. Musk deer, Himalayan bear, Chinese pangolin, Assamese macaque, snow leopard, and leopard cat are some of the nationally threatened species living in the GCA [23,26].…”