Livestock depredation by large predators and its implications for conservation and livelihoods in the Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan

Abstract

Livestock depredation has particular significance in pastoral societies across the Himalayas. The dynamics of depredation by the snow leopard Panthera uncia and wolf Canis lupus were investigated by means of household surveys in the Hushey Valley, in the Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan. During 2008–2012 90% of the households in the valley lost livestock to snow leopards and wolves, accounting for 0.8 animals per household per year. The cost of depredation per household was equivalent to PKR 9,853 (USD 101), or 10% of the mean annual cash income. The majority (41%) of predation incidents occurred in summer pastures, predominantly at night in open spaces. Of the total number of predation incidents, 60% were attributed to snow leopards and 37% to wolves; in 3% of cases the predator was unknown. As an immediate response to predation the majority of the local people (64%, n = 99) opted to report the case to their Village Conservation Committee for compensation and only 1% preferred to kill the predator; 32% did not respond to predation incidents. The perceived causes of predation were poor guarding (77%), reduction in wild prey (13%), and livestock being the favourite food of predators (10%). The most preferred strategies for predator management, according to the respondents, were enhanced guarding of livestock (72%), followed by increasing the availability of wild prey (18%), and lethal control (10%). Livestock depredation causing economic loss may lead to retaliatory killing of threatened predators. For carnivore conservation and livestock security in this area we recommend improved livestock guarding through collective hiring of skilled shepherds and the use of guard dogs.

Patterns of livestock depredation and Human–wildlife conflict in Misgar valley of Hunza, Pakistan

“…The economic loss due to depredation in Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalaya region is quite significant like in upper Mustang region of Nepal, it accounts for US$ 44,213 per year 7 . Similarly, US$ 12,252 per year is lost in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park 18 of Bhutan and loss of US$ 12,905 per year has been recorded for Hushey valley in Central Karakorum National Park, Pakistan 19 .…”

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

“…Predation fosters intolerance among such impoverished pastoralists and often leads to persecution [ 5 , 9 , 10 ]. The conflict between humans and snow leopards is reported across snow leopard range countries, causing significant economic losses to local pastoralists, thereby creating a strong dislike towards the species and decreased support for its conservation [ 11 , 12 ].…”

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

“…It is signi cant to highlight that the data collection involved a survey-based quantitative method to reach the main causes, perceptions, and damages caused by the carnivores. Similar methods were followed in previous studies 22,24 . In this questionnaire survey, we collected the data using the quantitative method on the parameter such as livestock owned, type of livestock and mortality by predators and diseases, predators number and status, threats to wild carnivores, perceptions, and attitudes of people towards carnivore conservations, humancarnivore con ict experience and the nancial loss of animals by predators and diseases.…”

“…Herders claimed that they could distinguish between a carcass killed by a wolf attack on animal's hindquarters and snow leopard attack on the neck or throat as well as by the presence of predators' tracks on the kill site 19 . Previous studies indicated an economic lost of livestock to predators were valued in the dollar and local prices, an estimated US$ 44,213 in the upper Mustang region 7 , US$ 12,252 in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park 20 , US$445,539 (US$99,009 ) per year in the Pamir regions 21 and PKR 4,926,596 (USD 51,620) in Hushey valley 22 .These mammalian predators preyed on many livestock in Misgar valley. However, the depredation and its impact not yet been studied in this valley.…”