Research trends and management options in human-snow leopard conflict

Rashid, Wajid; Shi, Jing; Rahim, Inam; Sultan, Hameeda; Dong, Shikui; Ahmad, Latif

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108413

Cited by 35 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…The consequences of trophy hunting include tilted population sex ratio due to selective harvesting of large males [18,19], changing population dynamics [20], decline of target trophy animal populations [21][22][23], loss of genetic diversity and genetic changes [24][25][26], and increasing human-wildlife conflicts [27,28]. All of these can ultimately result in the loss of wildlife species [29,30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Rashid

Shi

Rahim

et al. 2020

Animals

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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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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Rashid

Shi

Rahim

et al. 2020

Animals

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“…A few studies that have tried to identify the causes of livestock predation by snow leopards have found a range of factors influencing the extent of livestock predation such as wild prey density, livestock density, herding practices, and habitat type (Alexander, et al, 2015; Alexander, et al, 2015; Bagchi & Mishra, 2006; Bagchi et al., 2020; Chetri et al., 2017, 2019; Jackson et al., 1996; Rashid et al., 2020; Suryawanshi et al., 2013, 2017). These studies have generated an understanding of spatial and temporal patterns of livestock predation, providing insights into the location and season for prioritizing mitigation measures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relative influence of wild prey and livestock abundance on carnivore‐caused livestock predation

Khanal

Mishra

Suryawanshi

2020

Ecology and Evolution

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Conservation conflict over livestock depredation is one of the key drivers of large mammalian carnivore declines worldwide. Mitigating this conflict requires strategies informed by reliable knowledge of factors influencing livestock depredation. Wild prey and livestock abundance are critical factors influencing the extent of livestock depredation. We compared whether the extent of livestock predation by snow leopards Panthera uncia differed in relation to densities of wild prey, livestock, and snow leopards at two sites in Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal. We used camera trap‐based spatially explicit capture–recapture models to estimate snow leopard density; double‐observer surveys to estimate the density of their main prey species, the blue sheep Pseudois nayaur ; and interview‐based household surveys to estimate livestock population and number of livestock killed by snow leopards. The proportion of livestock lost per household was seven times higher in Upper Dolpa, the site which had higher snow leopard density (2.51 snow leopards per 100 km 2 ) and higher livestock density (17.21 livestock per km 2 ) compared to Lower Dolpa (1.21 snow leopards per 100 km 2 ; 4.5 livestock per km 2 ). The wild prey density was similar across the two sites (1.81 and 1.57 animals per km 2 in Upper and Lower Dolpa, respectively). Our results suggest that livestock depredation level may largely be determined by the abundances of the snow leopards and livestock and predation levels on livestock can vary even at similar levels of wild prey density. In large parts of the snow leopard range, livestock production is indispensable to local livelihoods and livestock population is expected to increase to meet the demand of cashmere. Hence, we recommend that any efforts to increase livestock populations or conservation initiatives aimed at recovering or increasing snow leopard population be accompanied by better herding practices (e.g., predator‐proof corrals) to protect livestock from snow leopard.

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“…As mentioned earlier, during the review it was found that the majority (46%) of the research on the conflict between humans and wildlife in the HKH dealt with large carnivores, with the snow leopard being the one that was researched the most (20%), followed by the leopard (18%), and the tiger (15%). The relatively large number of research articles on the conflict between snow leopards (commonly found in the high mountains of China and South Asia) and humans reflects the spate of such incidents in the Himalayas and the Karakoram range since 1994 (Rashid et al., 2020 ); this had to do with the dwindling number of the snow leopard's wild preys which forced it to indulge in retaliatory attacks against the high‐mountain communities and pastoralists (Chetri et al., 2019 ; Rosen et al., 2012 ). As for studies on human conflicts with other carnivores such as wolves and dholes—predators inhabiting the central‐western parts of the Himalayas and the eastern Himalayas, respectively (Johnsingh et al., 2007 ; Xu et al., 2015 )—they were much less compared with those involving snow leopards.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human–wildlife conflict in the roof of the world: Understanding multidimensional perspectives through a systematic review

Sharma

Chettri

Wangchuk

2021

Ecology and Evolution

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Human–wildlife conflicts have intensified by many folds and at different levels in recent years. The same is true in the case of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), the roof of the world, and a region known for its wealth in biodiversity. We present a systematic literature review (SLR) using the search, appraisal, synthesis, and analysis (SALSA) framework; and for spatial and network analysis, we employed the VOSviewer software. The review—covering 240 peer—articles within a span of 27 years (from 1982 to 2019)—revealed that in the last decade, there was a 57% increase in publications but with a disproportionate geographical and thematic focus. About 82% of the research concentrated on protected areas and large carnivores and mega herbivores played a big role in such conflicts. About 53% of the studies were based on questionnaires, and the main driver reported was habitat disturbance of animals due to land‐cover change, urbanization, and increase in human population. On the management front, the studies reported the use of traditional protection techniques like guarding and fencing. Our analysis of 681 keywords revealed a prominent focus on ‘human‐wildlife conflict,’ ‘Nepal,’ ‘Bhutan,’ ‘Snow Leopard,’ and ‘Leopard’ indicating the issue linked with these species and countries. The involvement of 640 authors from 36 countries indicates increasing interest, and Nepal and India are playing key roles in the region. As for the spatial analysis that was conducted, while it showed regional variations, there were conspicuous limitations in terms of having a transboundary focus. Thus, particular attention ought to be paid to building transboundary partnerships and improving management interventions; there is also a pressing need to understand the patterns of human–wildlife convergence, especially involving meso‐mammals.

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Research trends and management options in human-snow leopard conflict

Cited by 35 publications

References 74 publications

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

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

Relative influence of wild prey and livestock abundance on carnivore‐caused livestock predation

Human–wildlife conflict in the roof of the world: Understanding multidimensional perspectives through a systematic review

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