Livestock depredation by snow leopard and Tibetan wolf: Implications for herders\u2019 livelihoods in Wangchuck Centennial National Park, Bhutan

Yonten Jamtsho,Om Katel

doi:10.1186/s13570-018-0136-2

Abstract

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a serious problem in many parts of the world, and Bhutan’s Wangchuck Centennial National Park (WCNP) is no exception. Located in the remote alpine areas of the eastern Himalaya, wildlife species such as snow leopard (SL) and Tibetan wolf (TW) are reported to kill livestock in many parts of the Park. Such depredation is believed to have affected the livelihoods of high-altitude herding communities, resulting in conflicts between them. This study provides analysis on the extent of livestock depredation by wildlife predators such as SL and TW and examines its implications for the livelihoods of herding communities of Choekhortoe and Dhur regions of WCNP. Using semi-structured questionnaires, all herders (n = 38) in the study area were interviewed. The questions pertained to livestock population, frequency of depredation and income lost due to depredation in the last five years from 2012 to 2016. This study recorded 2,815 livestock heads in the study area, with an average herd size of 74.1 stock. The average herd size holding showed a decreasing trend over the years, and one of the reasons cited by the herders is depredation by SL and TW and other predators. This loss equated to an average annual financial loss equivalent to 10.2% (US$837) of their total per capita cash income. Such losses have resulted in negative impacts on herders’ livelihood; e.g. six herders (2012-2016) even stopped rearing livestock and resorted to an alternate source of cash income. The livestock intensification programmes, including pasture improvement through allowing controlled burning, and financial compensation, may be some potential short-term solutions to reduce conflict between herders and predators. Issuing permits for cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) collection only to the herders and instilling the sense of stewardship to highland herders may be one of the long-term solutions.

Highlights

Conflict between wildlife species, especially carnivores and humans, is a serious concern in many parts of the world (Holmern et al 2007; Ripple et al 2014), since carnivores play an important role in functioning of ecosystems
It was observed that there was a decline in herders as well as livestock population in the study area, one reason being the livestock were depredated by different predators at different elevation zones and different times of the year
The size of the herding community living in the Wangchuck Centennial National Park (WCNP) is significantly lower than that of the other communities reported from the Himalayan region, the loss of livestock due to depredation appears to be significantly higher than other regions

Summary

Introduction

Especially carnivores and humans, is a serious concern in many parts of the world (Holmern et al 2007; Ripple et al 2014), since carnivores play an important role in functioning of ecosystems. Carnivores usually occupy large areas and kill their prey including livestock, which as a result created conflicts with rural pastoral communities (Ripple et al 2014). Such conflict involving livestock depredation by wildlife in the Himalayan region, is serious. Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) in Bhutan is increasing significantly, and this could be due to the fact that almost all the PAs support some form of land use, such as crop farming and livestock rearing (Wang 2004). There are studies on large carnivores (Sangay and Vernes 2014), wild dog (Katel et al 2014), human-elephant conflict (NCD (Nature Conservation Division) 2018), National SL Survey (DoFPS (Department of Forests and Park Services) 2016) and human-bear conflict (Jamtsho and Wangchuk 2016); there is sparse information on HWC pertaining to SL and Tibetan wolf (TW)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion