Leopard Conservation Research Articles

HWC Ten Years Later: Successes and Shortcomings of Approaches to Global Snow Leopard Conservation

Over the past decade important advances have been made toward addressing human–wildlife conflict associated with the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia). Engaging and motivating stakeholders through more participatory protocols remains a vital ingredient toward the design, implementation, and of monitoring robust, long-lasting, and locally adapted solutions that stress the community’s collective and positive visions for the change. Co-existence with this predator can be best achieved by empowering rural communities and helping them forge more harmonious and eco-centric relationships with their environment, one in which snow leopards are perceived as valued assets rather than pests to be eliminated. The Global Snow Leopard Environmental Plan endorsed in 2013 by all 12 snow leopard range countries offers a possible blueprint for this transformational process to take place. The major challenge rests with securing the necessary financing and the scaling up of remedial interventions to landscape levels across the range states.

South-Eastern Lesser Caucasus: the most important landscape for conserving the Leopard (Panthera pardus) in the Caucasus region (Mammalia: Felidae)

Between January 2013 and October 2014, camera-trapping and field tracking monitoring of the Leopard (Panthera pardus) in the southern part of the Caucasus resulted in 220 photos and 26 videos depicting leopards, and 4 verified leopard scat samples identified by mtDNA analysis. Based on unique coating markings, 5-6 individuals were identified. The main reasons for the increased visibility of the leopard include the rapid establishment of new protected areas during last 10 years in the southern Caucasus, as well as a hunting ban in the Nakhchyvan Region of Azerbaijan since 2001 and anti-poaching activities conducted in southern Armenia since 2003. The South-eastern Lesser Caucasus has been identified as a priority landscape for leopard conservation in the Caucasus.

Attitudes of Maasai pastoralists towards the conservation of large carnivores in the Loliondo Game Controlled Area of Northern Tanzania

Attitudes towards the conservation of lions, leopards, cheetah, spotted hyenas and African wild dogs were assessed in the Loliondo Game Controlled Area of northern Tanzania in January 2013. Our survey encompassed 181 individuals each representing onehousehold, of which 30 were chosen randomly from six Maasai pastoralist villages. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to acquire the required information from the respondents. We found that the majority of the Maasai pastoralists, particularly females, expressed negative attitudes towards the conservation of large carnivores. The reasons given for disliking carnivores differed between the sexes, but the most common reasons were that the carnivores attacked the respondents’ livestock at night and also purposefully and frequently attacked people. The Maasai pastoralists who had been to school, mostly males, expressed more positive attitudes than those who had not been to school. Those who liked at least two carnivore species had received greater benefits from conservation programs than those who liked only one or disliked all carnivore species. Therefore, to support the conservation of wild dogs and other large carnivores at large, we recommend that where possible, female Maasai should be allowed to access Protected Areas (PAs) resources during the time of hard ship or drought to improve their livelihood. In addition, they should be empowered by being involved in conserving large carnivores as “carnivore guardians”, exposed to ecotourism activities and be educated. Furthermore, conservation performance payments for carnivores should be institutionalized in the area. Key words: Large carnivores, conservation, human attitudes, Loliondo Game Controlled Area.

Role of Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries in Snow Leopard Conservation

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) inhabits the rugged mountains in 12 countries of Central Asia, including the Tibetan Plateau. Due to poaching, decreased abundance of prey, and habitat degradation, it was listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 1972. Current conservation strategies, including nature reserves and incentive programs, have limited capacities to protect snow leopards. We investigated the role of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in snow leopard conservation in the Sanjiangyuan region in China's Qinghai Province on the Tibetan Plateau. From 2009 to 2011, we systematically surveyed snow leopards in the Sanjiangyuan region. We used the MaxEnt model to determine the relation of their presence to environmental variables (e.g., elevation, ruggedness) and to predict snow leopard distribution. Model results showed 89,602 km(2) of snow leopard habitat in the Sanjiangyuan region, of which 7674 km(2) lay within Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve's core zones. We analyzed the spatial relation between snow leopard habitat and Buddhist monasteries and found that 46% of monasteries were located in snow leopard habitat and 90% were within 5 km of snow leopard habitat. The 336 monasteries in the Sanjiangyuan region could protect more snow leopard habitat (8342 km(2) ) through social norms and active patrols than the nature reserve's core zones. We conducted 144 household interviews to identify local herders' attitudes and behavior toward snow leopards and other wildlife. Most local herders claimed that they did not kill wildlife, and 42% said they did not kill wildlife because it was a sin in Buddhism. Our results indicate monasteries play an important role in snow leopard conservation. Monastery-based snow leopard conservation could be extended to other Tibetan Buddhist regions that in total would encompass about 80% of the global range of snow leopards.

REVERSIBLE IMMOBILIZATION OF FREE-RANGING SNOW LEOPARDS (PANTHERA UNCIA) WITH A COMBINATION OF MEDETOMIDINE AND TILETAMINE-ZOLAZEPAM

Conservation and research of the elusive snow leopard (Panthera uncia) have been hampered by inadequate knowledge about its basic life history. Global positioning system (GPS) collars can provide useful information, but there has been limited information available on safe capture methods, drug doses, and efficacy for effective immobilization of free-ranging snow leopards. We describe a drug protocol using a combination of medetomidine and tiletamine-zolazepam for the chemical immobilization of free-ranging snow leopards. We also describe physiologic responses to immobilization drugs, including rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and relative hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2) recorded every 10 min. Our study was carried out in the Tost Mountains adjacent to the Great Gobi Desert, in southern Mongolia, between August 2008 and April 2012. Eighteen snow leopards were captured or recaptured with foot-snares on 42 occasions and anesthetized for marking with GPS collars. The snow leopards received on average (±SD) 0.020±0.04 mg/kg body mass medetomidine and 2.17±0.45 mg/kg tiletamine-zolazepam. The duration of ensuing anesthesia was 69±13 min, including an induction period of 10 (±4) min. Anesthesia was reversed with 4 mg (0.10±0.04 mg/kg) atipamezole administered intramuscularly. The mean value for SpO2 for the 37 captures where we could record physiologic values was 91±4. The SpO2 increased significantly during anesthesia (+0.06±0.02%/min), whereas rectal temperature (average 38.1±0.7 C/min, change -0.04±0.003 C/min), heart rate (average 97±9 beats/min, change -0.20±0.03 beats/min), and respiratory rate (average 26±6 breaths/min, change -0.11±0.03 breaths/min) decreased significantly. A dose of 80 mg tiletamine-zolazepam (2 mg/kg body weight) and 0.72 mg medetomidine (0.02 mg/kg body weight) safely immobilized all adult and subadult snow leopards (weight 25-45 kg) in our study. All measured physiologic values remained within clinically acceptable limits.

The Predators of Junnar: Local Peoples' Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes Toward Leopards and Leopard Conservation

This research evaluated local peoples' attitudes toward leopards and leopard conservation in the Junnar Forest Division, a hotspot for human–leopard conflict in India. This article used structured interviews and the theory of reasoned action to explore residents' knowledge, attitudes, subjective norms, and behavioral intentions toward leopards and their conservation. Results indicated a stronger influence of the attitudinal component than normative on locals' behavioral intention toward leopards and leopard conservation. Attitudes toward leopards were complex, with negative and positive views often held by the same person. This article revealed positive dimensions to the local peoples' perceptions of leopards, which are relevant to conservation of this animal. This research serves as a foundation for recommendations regarding regulatory interventions as well as educational and management strategies for the future.

Extent and fragmentation of suitable leopard habitat in South Africa

AbstractLarge mammalian carnivores are threatened by anthropogenic environmental impacts, particularly through habitat loss which often cause population declines. Understanding the extent of suitable habitat is therefore of great importance for carnivore conservation. The leopard (Panthera pardus) is a widespread and relatively common large carnivore, but the species is declining in large parts of its range. Using maximum entropy‐based habitat models, we estimated the extent of suitable leopard habitat in South Africa, what variables that are associated with suitable leopard habitats, the extent of habitat that has been negatively impacted by human activity and the effectiveness of protected areas to capture suitable habitat. Suitable leopard habitat was highly fragmented. Although vegetation and physical variables were the most influential variables for habitat suitability, livestock farming primarily seem to underlie fragmentation. We suggest that the sustainability of the South African leopard population depends on maintaining dispersal routes between areas with suitable habitat. This will require mitigation of human–carnivore conflict in habitat corridors, particularly mitigation strategies targeting conflict between carnivores and livestock farmers. Because most suitable habitat occurred outside of protected areas, we also recommend that leopard conservation efforts should focus on areas that are not legally protected.

Interactions between Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) and leopard (Panthera pardus): implications for their conservation

Bengal tiger and common leopard belong to endangered species in Nepal and elsewhere. They share their prey species, thus one affects prey availability of the other, which may contribute to decline in numbers of these carnivores. However, data on these interactions are very rare. We studied diet composition of tiger and leopard in Chitwan (Nepal), by analysing remnants of prey in scats of these two species and comparing abundance of prey species in scats with prey abundance recorded along line transects. We found that tiger prefers medium-sized (30–175 kg) prey, while leopard prefers small-sized (5–30 kg) prey, but also often eats medium-sized prey. Domestic animals (especially small ones) are more often eaten by leopard, compared with tiger. Consequently, these two predators compete mainly for medium-sized prey, but leopard relies more on small prey and domestic animals than tiger. We found that prey preferences of tiger and leopard also depend on the degree of habitat disturbance. Predators killed domestic animals in areas where there was a low density of wild prey. The conflict between humans and carnivores is the most important challenge threatening the conservation of carnivores, which depend on the abundance of different-sized prey and little human disturbance. Hence, restoring large populations of prey and reducing the level of human disturbance are the key measures necessary for the effective conservation of tiger and leopard.

Saving threatened species in Afghanistan: snow leopards in the Wakhan Corridor

The Wakhan Corridor in northeast Afghanistan is an area known for relatively abundant wildlife and it appears to represent Afghanistan’s most important snow leopard landscape. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been working in Wakhan since 2006. Recent camera trap surveys have documented the presence of snow leopards at 16 different locations in the landscape. These are the first camera trap records of snow leopards in Afghanistan. Threats to snow leopards in the region include the fur trade, retaliatory killing by shepherds and the capture of live animals for pets. WCS is developing an integrated management approach for this species, involving local governance, protection by a cadre of rangers, education, construction of predator-proof livestock corrals, a livestock insurance program, tourism and research activities. This management approach is expected to contribute significantly to the conservation of snow leopards and other wildlife species in the Wakhan.

Farm management and economic analyses of leopard conservation in north‐central Namibia

AbstractWe investigated the livestock farms surrounding the Waterberg Plateau Park in north‐central Namibia to assess farmer attitudes, management techniques, financial impacts, as well as the potential benefits of tourism and trophy hunting, with respect to leopard Panthera pardus conservation. Farmers were asked about their use of six livestock husbandry techniques and farmers who employed at least one had 85% less reported conflict than farmers not employing any. Livestock farmers lost on average 3.8% of their calves to depredation annually (US$1370 per farm per year) but were willing to lose 3.3%, a difference of only US$180 per farm or US$3064 regionally. Where losses were higher than stated tolerance, we found that potential benefits from tourism and trophy hunting could offset losses. Surveys with tourists and professional hunters in the region strengthened this conclusion.

Haematology, cytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of blood cells in leopard (Panthera pardus)

The leopard (Panthera pandus) is an endangered Asian big cat found in Thailand and also listed in the CITES, Appendix 1. Blood samples from 17 leopards (six males and 11 females) were collected from the cephalic vein for haematology, cytochemical and ultrastructural studies. Red blood cells (RBCs) were slightly anisocytosis, ranged 5–6.5 μm with 5.6 μm mean diameter. They were easy to form rouleaux, blunt end crenation and some RBCs contained Heinz bodies. The male leopards had a significantly higher packed cell volume (39.3 ± 7.5%) values and absolute eosinophil number (1.658 ± 1.483 × 109/l) than the females (30.7 ± 3.2%; 0.965 ± 0.611 × 109/l). The cytochemical results were: sudanophilia and myeloperoxidase in neutrophils and some monocytes; nonspecific esterase (alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase, ANAE) in the granules of eosinophils, some lymphocytes, some monocytes and platelets; beta-glucuronidase (βG) in granules of basophils, monocytes and some lymphocytes. The ANAE and βG reaction were detected inter-granular of eosinophils. More detailed morphological aspects of all blood cells were observed by means of scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The many round granules and homogeneous content under TEM were characteristics of leopard eosinophils. The engulfed RBCs by neutrophils were detected under TEM in one male leopard. This study provides a guide for the haematology, identification of the morphology, cytochemistry and ultrastructure of blood cells in leopards that is useful for zoological veterinarians in leopard conservation.

Population monitoring of snow leopards using noninvasive collection of scat samples: a pilot study

AbstractThe endangered snow leopardPanthera unciaoccurs in rugged, high‐altitude regions of Central Asia. However, information on the status of this felid is limited in many areas. We conducted a pilot study to optimize moecular markers for the analysis of snow leopard scat samples and to examine the feasibility of using noninvasive genetic methods for monitoring this felid. We designed snow leopard‐specific primers for seven microsatellite loci that amplified shorter segments and avoided flanking sequences shared with repetitive elements. By redesigning primers we maximized genotyping success and minimized genotyping errors. In addition, we tested a Y chromosome‐marker for sex identification and designed a panel of mitochondrial DNA primers for examining genetic diversity of snow leopards using scat samples. We collected scats believed to be from snow leopards in three separate geographic regions including north‐western India, central China and southern Mongolia. We observed snow leopard scats in all three sites despite only brief 2‐day surveys in each area. There was a high rate of species misidentification in the field with up to 54% of snow leopard scats misidentified as red fox. The high rate of field misidentification suggests sign surveys incorporating scat likely overestimate snow leopard abundance. The highest ratio of snow leopard scats was observed in Ladakh (India) and South Gobi (Mongolia), where four and five snow leopards were detected, respectively. Our findings describe a species‐specific molecular panel for analysis of snow leopard scats, and highlight the efficacy of noninvasive genetic surveys for monitoring snow leopards. These methods enable large‐scale noninvasive studies that will provide information critical for conservation of snow leopards.

Home range size and daytime habitat selection of leopards in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand

Leopards ( Panthera pardus) are endangered in South East Asia yet little is known about which resources need to be secured for their long-term conservation or what numbers of this species this region can support. This study uses radio telemetry to investigate seasonal variation in habitat selection and home range size of Leopards in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. Over a five year period, 3690 locations were recorded from nine individuals. The mean ± standard error of fixed kernel home range size for six adult females was 26 ± 8.2 km 2, for two adult males was 45.7 ± 14.8 and for two sub-adult females was 29 km 2 ± 5.5. Adult female wet and dry season home range sizes did not differ significantly. One adult male showed an increase in home range size from dry to wet seasons. Estimated density was 7 adult females/100 km 2, which suggests 195 adult female leopards living in Huai Kha Khaeng alone, thus highlighting the larger Western Forest Complex’s potential contribution to leopard conservation. Compositional analysis of second and third order habitat selection suggested mixed deciduous and dry evergreen forest types, flat slope and areas close to stream channels are important landscape features for leopards. These results can help formulate a much needed conservation strategy for leopards in the region.

Status and conservation of the snow leopard Panthera uncia in the Gouli Region, Kunlun Mountains, China

The elusive snow leopard Panthera unica is a rare and little studied species in China. Over 1 March–15 May 2006 we conducted a survey for the snow leopard in the Gouli Region, East Burhanbuda Mountain, Kunlun Mountains, Qinghai Province, China, in an area of c. 300 km2 at altitudes of 4,000–4,700 m. We surveyed 29 linear transects with a total length of c. 440 km, and located a total of 72 traces (pug marks, scrapes and urine marks) of snow leopard along four of the transects. We obtained eight photographs of snow leopard from four of six camera traps. We also recorded 1,369 blue sheep, 156 Tibetan gazelles, 47 argali, 37 red deer and one male white-lipped deer. We evaluated human attitudes towards snow leopard by interviewing the heads of 27 of the 30 Tibetan households living in the study area. These local people did not consider that snow leopard is the main predator of their livestock, and thus there is little retaliatory killing. Prospects for the conservation of snow leopard in this area therefore appear to be good. We analysed the potential threats to the species and propose the establishment of a protected area for managing snow leopard and the fragile alpine ecosystem of this region.

Modelling the habitat requirements of leopard Panthera pardus in west and central Asia

Summary Top predators are seen as keystone species of ecosystems. Knowledge of their habitat requirements is important for their conservation and the stability of the wildlife communities that depend on them. The goal of our study was to model the habitat of leopard Panthera pardus in west and central Asia, where it is endangered, and analyse the connectivity between different known populations in the Caucasus to enable more effective conservation management strategies to be implemented. Presence and absence data for the species were evaluated from the Caucasus, Middle East and central Asia. Habitat variables related to climate, terrain, land cover and human disturbance were used to construct a predictive model of leopard habitat selection by employing a geographic information system (GIS) and logistic regression. Our model suggested that leopards in west and central Asia avoid deserts, areas with long‐duration snow cover and areas that are near urban development. Our research also provides an algorithm for sample data management, which could be used in modelling habitats for similar species. Synthesis and applications. This model provides a tool to improve search effectiveness for leopard in the Caucasus, Middle East and central Asia as well as for the conservation and management of the species. The model can predict the probable distribution of leopards and the corridors between various known populations. Connectivity patterns can be used to facilitate corridor planning for leopard conservation, especially in the Caucasus, where the leopard is a top priority conservation species. Also, as top predators are often associated with high biodiversity, the leopard habitat model could help to identify biodiversity hotspots. The protection of biodiversity hotspots is seen as the most effective way to conserve biodiversity globally.

Using thin-layer chromatography of fecal bile acids to study the leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica) population

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of fecal bile acids has been used to confirm visual identification of 30 scat samples found in Armenia from April 2004 to November 2005 and attributed to the Persian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica). The results of TLC do not differ significantly from those of visual identification, confirming the reliability of the latter method. All samples identified incorrectly (lynx and wolf scats) are from the Meghri Ridge, indicating that the ecological niches of the three predators apparently overlap in this area. Taking into account the frequency and distribution of scats, two priority areas for leopard conservation have been identified: the Central and Khachadzor districts of the Khosrov Nature Reserve and the Nuvadi-Shvanidzor area in eastern Meghri ridge.

Molecular Evidence for Species-Level Distinctions in Clouded Leopards

Among the 37 living species of Felidae, the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is generally classified as a monotypic genus basal to the Panthera lineage of great cats. This secretive, mid-sized (16-23 kg) carnivore, now severely endangered, is traditionally subdivided into four southeast Asian subspecies (Figure 1A). We used molecular genetic methods to re-evaluate subspecies partitions and to quantify patterns of population genetic variation among 109 clouded leopards of known geographic origin (Figure 1A, Tables S1 ans S2 in the Supplemental Data available online). We found strong phylogeographic monophyly and large genetic distances between N. n. nebulosa (mainland) and N. n. diardi (Borneo; n = 3 individuals) with mtDNA (771 bp), nuclear DNA (3100 bp), and 51 microsatellite loci. Thirty-six fixed mitochondrial and nuclear nucleotide differences and 20 microsatellite loci with nonoverlapping allele-size ranges distinguished N. n. nebulosa from N. n. diardi. Along with fixed subspecies-specific chromosomal differences, this degree of differentiation is equivalent to, or greater than, comparable measures among five recognized Panthera species (lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, and snow leopard). These distinctions increase the urgency of clouded leopard conservation efforts, and if affirmed by morphological analysis and wider sampling of N. n. diardi in Borneo and Sumatra, would support reclassification of N. n. diardi as a new species (Neofelis diardi).

Estimating Snow Leopard Population Abundance Using Photography and Capture–Recapture Techniques

Abstract Conservation and management of snow leopards (Uncia uncia) has largely relied on anecdotal evidence and presence–absence data due to their cryptic nature and the difficult terrain they inhabit. These methods generally lack the scientific rigor necessary to accurately estimate population size and monitor trends. We evaluated the use of photography in capture–mark–recapture (CMR) techniques for estimating snow leopard population abundance and density within Hemis National Park, Ladakh, India. We placed infrared camera traps along actively used travel paths, scent-sprayed rocks, and scrape sites within 16- to 30-km2 sampling grids in successive winters during January and March 2003–2004. We used head-on, oblique, and side-view camera configurations to obtain snow leopard photographs at varying body orientations. We calculated snow leopard abundance estimates using the program CAPTURE. We obtained a total of 66 and 49 snow leopard captures resulting in 8.91 and 5.63 individuals per 100 trap-nights du...

Movements and activities of snow leopards in Southwestern Mongolia

Four adult (2M:2F) snow leopards ( Uncia uncia) were radio-monitored (VHF; one also via satellite) year-round during 1994–1997 in the Altai Mountains of southwestern Mongolia where prey densities (i.e., ibex, Capra siberica) were relatively low (∼0.9/km 2). Marked animals were more active at night (51%) than during the day (35%). Within the study area, marked leopards showed strong affinity for steep and rugged terrain, high use of areas rich in ungulate prey, and affinity for habitat edges. The satellite-monitored leopard moved more than 12 km on 14% of consecutive days monitored. Home ranges determined by standard telemetry techniques overlapped substantially and were at least 13–141 km 2in size. However, the satellite-monitored individual apparently ranged over an area of at least 1590 km 2, and perhaps over as much as 4500 km 2. Since telemetry attempts from the ground were frequently unsuccessful ( x ¯ = 72 % ) , we suspect all marked animals likely had large home ranges. Relatively low prey abundance in the area also suggested that home ranges of >500 km 2were not unreasonable to expect, though these are >10-fold larger than measured in any other part of snow leopard range. Home ranges of snow leopards may be larger than we suspect in many areas, and thus estimation of snow leopard conservation status must rigorously consider logistical constraints inherent in telemetry studies, and the relative abundance of prey.

Economic impacts of livestock depredation by snow leopard Uncia uncia in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, Nepal Himalaya

It is necessary to fully understand the economic conditions of local herders in order to find solutions to the conflicts between wildlife conservation and livestock rearing in remote areas of low-income countries. In the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA), Nepal, livestock depredation by snow leopards impacts on yak herders' livelihoods. Retaliatory killings of snow leopard by the herders have been reported and the concerned authorities recently initiated snow leopard conservation programmes. In 2001, interviews with the yak herders who used the pastures in the Ghunsa valley in the preceding year collected data on the incidence of livestock death caused by snow leopards. The annual net cash income of the yak herders was estimated by obtaining baseline values of sales and expenditure per livestock head through field measurement of dairy products and interviews with a sample of herders. As yet, the average annual damage does not appear to have adversely affected fundamental livelihoods in households with an average herd size (36.6 head). However, in the worst scenario of livestock depredation, households with medium or small-sized herds (<40 head) might risk their living conditions becoming unsustainable or having to withdraw from yak pastoralism. A supplementary interview showed that the majority of the herders, except those who took completely neutral attitudes towards the regional conservation and development programme, had negative views of the snow leopard conservation policy. For the snow leopard conservation programme in the KCA to be a success, there must be a system to compensate the herders' households for livestock damage.