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

Abstract

The 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.

In the shadows of snow leopards and the Himalayas: density and habitat selection of blue sheep in Manang, Nepal

“…We applied total counts which, apart from producing such minimum density estimates, are also cost-effective and reliable for the analysis of population trends in mountain ungulates (Largo et al, 2008;Loison et al, 2006). Our result (6.0-7.7 individuals/km 2 in spring and 6.9-7.8 individuals/km 2 in autumn) is similar to previously reported densities in the Manang area both before and after the official establishment of the Annapurna Conservation Area (before: 6.6-10.2 individuals/ km 2 ; Sherpa & Oli, 1988cited in Oli, 1991Wegge & Oli, 1988cited in Oli, 1991Oli, 1994;after: 6.3-9.4 Wilson, 1981), Manaslu Conservation Area (Devkota et al, 2017), Api Nampa Conservation Area (Khanal et al, 2020), Kangchenjunga Conservation Area (Thapa, 2006cited in Khanal et al, 2020, and Shey Phoksundo National Park (Thapa, 2006 cited in Khanal et al, 2020). The studies outside of Nepal reported 0.7-7.1 individuals/km 2 in Bhutan (Wangchuck Centennial National Park, TA B L E 1 Summary of generalized additive models (GAMs) describing habitat selection by blue sheep in Manang based on direct observations in spring and autumn.…”

“…For instance, in other parts of the Nepalese Himalaya the minimum densities were estimated as 0.5–4.2 individuals/km 2 in Upper Mustang in the Annapurna Conservation Area (Aryal et al., 2014b; WWF Nepal, 2013; R.P. Lama & M. Filla, unpublished data), Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (Aryal et al., 2010; Wilson, 1981), Manaslu Conservation Area (Devkota et al., 2017), Api Nampa Conservation Area (Khanal et al., 2020), Kangchenjunga Conservation Area (Thapa, 2006 cited in Khanal et al., 2020), and Shey Phoksundo National Park (Thapa, 2006 cited in Khanal et al., 2020). The studies outside of Nepal reported 0.7–7.1 individuals/km 2 in Bhutan (Wangchuck Centennial National Park, Shrestha et al, 2012 cited in Leki et al., 2018), India (Ladakh region, Fox et al., 1991; Spiti region, Mishra et al., 2004), and China (Qinghai and Gansu Provinces, Schaller et al., 1988; Helan Mountains, Wang et al., 1998).…”

“…We suggest a monitoring system to be based either on total counts along the systematically placed transects and from vantage points or on double‐observer counts as a standardized method accounting for detection probability (Nichols et al., 2000). Total counts allow for the detection of population changes (Largo et al., 2008; Loison et al., 2006), whereas double‐observer counts yield more reliable abundance and density estimates and enable managers to derive additional conservation parameters, such as the carrying capacity and hotspots for snow leopards (e.g., Aryal et al., 2014b; Khanal et al., 2020; Suryawanshi et al., 2012).…”

Factors affecting livestock depredation by snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in the Himalayan region of Nepal

“…Human-snow leopard conflict, especially related to livestock depredation, represents a major threat to snow leopards (Li et al, 2013;Mijiddorj, Alexander & Samelius, 2018;Suryawanshi et al, 2013;Ud Din et al, 2017;Wegge, Shrestha & Flagstad, 2012). Livestock grazing in snow leopard habitat has been seen to be a serious conservation threat to this species (Ghoshal et al, 2017;Khanal et al, 2018;Sharma, Bhatnagar & Mishra, 2015). One of the main stressors of snow leopard poaching was found to be retaliatory killing as a consequence of livestock depredation (Maheshwari & Niraj, 2018).…”

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

“…Snow leopards range along the northern frontier of Nepal (McCarthy & Chapron, 2003) and the country is believed to harbour 300–500 individuals, making it a key range country (WWF, 2018). In Nepal the snow leopard has been reported in Annapurna Conservation Area, Shey Phoksundo National Park, Kangchenjunga Conservation Area, Manaslu Conservation Area, Makalu Barun National Park, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Sagarmatha National Park (Jackson, 1979a,b; Green, 1988; McCarthy & Chapron, 2003; WWF, 2018), Langtang National Park (Kyes & Chalise, 2005; WWF, 2018) and Api Nampa Conservation Area (Khanal et al, 2020).…”