Modelling Potential Distribution of Snow Leopards in Pamir, Northern Pakistan: Implications for Human–Snow Leopard Conflicts

Rashid, Wajid; Shi, Jing; Rahim, Inam; Qasim, Muhammad; Baloch, Muhammad N; Bohnett, Eve; Yang, Fangyuan; Khan, Imran; Ahmad, Bilal

doi:10.3390/su132313229

Cited by 19 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…The encroachment onto the suitable habitats of large carnivores by human settlements and agricultural activities has enhanced HWCs in many places (Dar et al, 2022). We did not document the possible contribution of human encroachment to variation in HWCs in this study, but a parallel study did reveal that expansion of human settlements and agricultural activities resulted in closer proximity to and even overlap with Snow leopard habitats in this area (Rashid et al, 2021). How human encroachment contribute to spatio‐seasonal variation in HWCs in this area warrants further study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…Snow leopard and wolves ( Canis lupus ) are the primary large carnivores that depredate on local pastoralists' livestock and are thus attributable to HWCs in the high mountain regions of the northern Pakistan (Rosen et al, 2012). The land use/land cover changes there as represented by the increasing human settlements and decreasing rangeland per capita and per livestock means encroachment onto wildlife habitats and more severe competition between human and wildlife (Qasim et al, 2023; Rashid et al, 2021). HWCs characterized by depredation of livestock by large carnivores are prevalent in the Pamir mountainous regions, but the characteristics and mechanisms underlying HWCs are poorly understood, despite its huge hindering potential in large carnivore's conservation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatial and seasonal variation of livestock depredation by large carnivores in the Pamir Mountains of northern Pakistan

Rashid,

Shi,

Rahim

et al. 2023

Conservat Sci and Prac

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The livestock depredation by large carnivores is a main cause for increasing human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs) and is one of the prime challenges for carnivore's conservation and a major economic concern to livestockdependent communities around wildlife habitats. Thus, understanding the patterns and trends of livestock depredation may contribute to better understanding of the mechanisms underlying HWCs and to mitigating HWCs. HWCs characterized by livestock depredation by large carnivores are prevalent in northern Pakistan, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly investigated. This study was conducted in 2018 in the Khunjerab Valley and Shimshal Valley of the Pamir region to evaluate the spatial and seasonal variation and impact of livestock depredation by carnivores. Data were collected on livestock depredation and its associated economic impact through semi-structured interviews of randomly selected households in the two valleys. The livestock in Shimshal Valley was more susceptible to large carnivores' depredation (233 heads per year) than in Khunjerab Valley (125 heads per year). This spatial variation in livestock depredation was reflective of the difference in the socio-economic conditions and physical locations between the two valleys. More livestock depredation took place in winter in Khunjerab Valley, while more livestock depredation occurred in summer in Shimshal Valley, mainly because of different grazing systems in the two valleys. The total economic loss incurred due to large carnivores'

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and seasonal variation of livestock depredation by large carnivores in the Pamir Mountains of northern Pakistan

Rashid,

Shi,

Rahim

et al. 2023

Conservat Sci and Prac

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“…Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate the influence of biological and environmental factors on snow leopard spatial utilization and the influence of yak on snow leopard activities (Rosseel, 2012 ). Drawing from previous research on habitat selection for snow leopards, blue sheep, and yaks (Ali et al, 2021 ; Aryal et al, 2016 ; Chi et al, 2019 ; Liu et al, 2014 ; Rashid et al, 2021 ; Yang et al, 2021 ), we selected 18 environmental variables, encompassing topographic factors, bioclimatic factors, the enhanced vegetation index (EVI), distance to roads, and vegetation type.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Free‐ranging livestock affected the spatiotemporal behavior of the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia)

Shi

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Long recognized as a threat to wildlife, particularly for large carnivores, livestock grazing in protected areas can potentially undermine conservation objectives. The interspecific interactions among livestock, snow leopards (Panthera uncia), and their wild prey in fragile Asian highland ecosystems have been a subject of debate. We strategically deployed 164 camera traps in the Wolong National Nature Reserve to systematically investigate the activities of snow leopards, their primary wild ungulate prey species, and free-ranging livestock. We found that snow leopard habitat use was influenced by both wild prey and livestock. Blue sheep served as the main wild prey that spatially attracted snow leopards and coexisted with yaks while free-ranging yaks significantly restricted snow leopard habitat use both temporally and spatially.This study challenges the conventional understanding that livestock indirectly impacts large carnivores by competing with and displacing wild prey. Our findings highlight that free-ranging yaks within the alpine canyon terrain could directly limit snow leopard habitat use, suggesting a potential risk of grazing in reducing apex predator distribution and jeopardizing their populations. Consequently, managing their coexistence in shared habitats requires a more nuanced approach. Furthermore, our research underscores the importance of further research efforts aimed at enhancing our comprehension of the complex interplay within animal communities and ecosystems. This knowledge will contribute to the development of informed, evidence-based conservation strategies and policies.

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“…livestock predation, habitat preference (by carnivorans) and economic loss suffered by livestock owners (e.g. Cavalcanti et al 2010, Eshete et al 2018, Rashid et al 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interference competition driven by co‐occurrence with tigers Panthera tigris may increase livestock predation by leopards Panthera pardus: a first step meta‐analysis

Franchini,

Guerisoli

2023

Mammal Review

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In coexisting carnivorans (Carnivora) relying on the same food resources, the dominant species imposes a cost on the inferior competitor by limiting its foraging ability. Tigers Panthera tigris and leopards Panthera pardus live in sympatry in most Asian countries and, because of their similar trophic niche, ‘interference competition’ may exist between these two predators. In fact, since tigers generally occupy prime habitats, leopards could be forced to roam into peripheral areas that are heavily used by humans to avoid competition, consequently increasing the risk of human‐leopard conflicts. Using information collected from the reviewed scientific literature, the purposes of this work were: 1) to assess if livestock predation by leopards increases in areas of coexistence with tigers, and 2) to characterise leopard attacks on livestock to discern the main factors involved in the human‐leopard conflict. Our findings showed that the leopard's ‘overall’ livestock predation rate (i.e. individuals taken/year) was higher in the absence of tigers than in their presence, and the same was observed for the ‘sheep and goat’ predation rate. These results confirm the leopard's tendency to take livestock and, especially, smaller prey. Conversely, the ‘cattle’ and ‘other’ predation rates were higher in the presence of tigers than in their absence, suggesting the existence of a sort of spatial segregation between predators in certain contexts. Lower levels of predation by leopards were observed on farms in which more prevention measures were used, than in those in which only one measure was implemented. We stress the importance of using proper prevention measures to mitigate human‐leopard conflicts. However, because their implementation may not be easy or economically feasible, the financial support given by carnivoran‐policy makers assumes remarkable importance to minimise the economic impact on local families and, in turn, to foster the coexistence between leopards and humans in shared landscapes.

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Modelling Potential Distribution of Snow Leopards in Pamir, Northern Pakistan: Implications for Human–Snow Leopard Conflicts

Cited by 19 publications

References 77 publications

Spatial and seasonal variation of livestock depredation by large carnivores in the Pamir Mountains of northern Pakistan

Spatial and seasonal variation of livestock depredation by large carnivores in the Pamir Mountains of northern Pakistan

Free‐ranging livestock affected the spatiotemporal behavior of the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia)

Interference competition driven by co‐occurrence with tigers Panthera tigris may increase livestock predation by leopards Panthera pardus: a first step meta‐analysis

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