Assessing prey selection of snow leopard in Mt. Kangchenjunga, Nepal
Kamal Thapa, 1Tribhuvan University- Institute of Forestry, Kritipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
Natalie Schmitt, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Research, McMaster University, Canada
Narendra M. B. Pradhan, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Kathmandu, Nepal
Hem Raj Acharya, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Babar Mahal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Santosh Rayamajhi, Tribhuvan University- Institute of Forestry, Kritipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
1Corresponding author’s name: Kamal Thapa, Tribhuvan University- Institute of Forestry, Kritipur, Kathmandu, Nepal. Telephone (Mobile): 977 9840851551. Email:dreamerhimalaya@gmail.com
Abstract In spring of 2012, we studied the feeding habits of snow leopard using a comprehensive approach that combines fecal genetic sampling, macro and microscopic analysis of snow leopard diets and direct observation of Naur and livestock in Kangchenjunga Conservation Area of east Nepal. Out of collected 88 putative snow leopard scat samples from 140 transects (290 km) in 27 (4*4 km2) sampling grid cells, 83% were confirmed to be from snow leopard. The genetic analysis accounted for 19 individual snow leopards (10 male and 9 female) with a mean population size estimate of 24 (95% CI: 19- 29), and an average density of 3.9 snow leopards/100 km2within 609 km2. Total available prey biomass of Naur and Yak was estimated at 355,236 kg (505 kg yak/km2and 78 kg Naur/km2). From the available prey biomass, we estimated snow leopards consumed 7% annually which was comprised of wild prey (49%), domestic livestock (45%), and 6% unidentified items. The estimated 47,736 kg Naur biomass gives a snow leopard-Naur ratio of 1: 59 on a weight basis. The proportion of young Naur was estimated at 17%, with an almost double predation rate at 28%. Predators such as common leopard and wolf share the same habitat and might compete with snow leopard for prey which will likely influence future predator-prey associations in KCA. Along with livestock insurance scheme improvement, there needs to be a focus on improved livestock guarding as well as engaging and educating local people to be citizen scientists on the importance of snow leopard conservation, involving them in long-term monitoring programs and promotion of ecotourism.
KEY WORDS common leopard, fecal, genetic analysis, naur, wolf, yak
INTRODUCTION
Sustainable snow leopard conservation must necessarily involve the local people; however, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for humans and snow leopards to coexist peacefully in an increasingly human altered ecosystem (Ale et al., 2007; Jackson, 2015). Despite their abundant wild prey, snow leopard often kill livestock (Khanal et al., 2020; Jackson, 2015) as they are highly detectable and easy to capture (Lovari & Mishra, 2016), but are often the primary livelihood source for many agropastoral communities. As a result, retaliatory killing of snow leopard by herders are common (Lovari & Mishra, 2016; Jackson & Lama, 2016; Ale et al., 2010) and practical solutions are becoming more challenging (GoN, 2012; Wegge et al., 2012; Ale et al., 2014). A key contributing factor to these continuing threats may be the difficulty in implementing conservation strategies (Ale et al., 2016) because of the lack of reliable information, both scientific and socio-economic (Jackson & Lama, 2016). In Nepal or elsewhere, snow leopard is one of the poorly understood threatened species especially with respect to their distribution, home range, abundance, and feeding behavior (Wegge et al., 2012; Jackson et al., 2002). This is largely because snow leopard is sparsely distributed with low density in remote, highly rugged terrain (KCA, 2019) which can be logistically challenging and places constraints on methodology. As such, conservation planning and strategy in Nepal, especially for snow leopard, has been largely based on anecdotal evidence (DNPWC, 2017). 30 years ago, Oli (1993) conducted a detailed study on snow leopard diet, and subsequently by Wegge et al. (2012), where they predicted a sustainable predator-prey ratio with the presence of abundant small livestock breeds around Manang in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) of west Nepal. However, unlike west Nepal, Lovari et al., 2009 reported that where small livestock breeds were not present in the Everest region, eastern Nepal, Himalayan tahr populations were becoming more suppressed as snow leopard were targeting young individuals preferentially. In Nepal, most studies on snow leopard status, their prey base and feeding behavior were concentrated around Dolpa in the west, Annapurna and Manslu in the Centre (Khanal et al., 2020; Shrestha et al., 2019; Chetri et al., 2019, 2017; Shrestha et al., 2018; Ale et al., 2014; Wegge et al., 2012; Thapa, 2005; Oli, 1994; Oli et al., 1993; Schaller, 1973) and around the Mt. Everest region in the east (Shrestha et al., 2018; Lovari & Mishra, 2016; Lovari et al., 2013, 2009; Ale et al., 2007). However, no systematic study on snow leopard status, prey abundance and feeding behavior has been undertaken in the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) in the far eastern region of Nepal, a critical snow leopard habitat to maintaining connectivity across the eastern snow leopard range and stands to suffer the greatest impact from climate change (MoFSC, 2017). Gurung et al. 2011 reported that snow leopard numbers had dramatically increased and there were no reports of retaliatory killing in the far east mainly because of successful implementation of community-managed livestock insurance.
A comprehensive understanding of the impact of snow leopard predation on wild ungulates and the role livestock play in their diet, is essential to devising strategy to reduce human- snow leopard conflicts. In the Mt. Kangchenjunga region, a human-altered mountain ecosystem in the far east of Nepal which is transboundary snow leopard habitat with India and China (KCA, 2019), we combine genetic sampling to estimate snow leopard abundance, both macro- and microscopic analysis to assess their diet, and an assessment of prey population dynamics. Based on comprehensive field data, we discuss status of snow leopard, abundance of wild prey and feeding behavior of snow leopards and recommend further conservation implications.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area
KCA is part of the Taplejung District located in the far north-eastern part of Nepal. Bordering the state of Sikkim in India to the east and the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China to the north, the district (200 24- 27056 N & 87 0 39- 880 12 E) covers mid-hills to high mountain terrains including Mt. Kangchenjunga (8,586 m), the world’s third highest peak (Fig. 1). On 21 July, 1997, it was declared a conservation area spanning 2,035 km2. The climate is alpine and harsh in the upper parts, above 3,000 m, and below this elevation, mixed temperate and sub-alpine climate is prevalent. The lower part of the study area receives snow fall for a few months and the upper range, heavy snow in winter every year. The topography is steep and rugged with mountainous terrain. The major fauna in KCA includes snow leopard, blue sheep Pseudois nayaur (here forth Naur), wolfCanis lupus , red fox Vulpes , pikas (Ochotona spp.), common leopard Panthera pardus , clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa , red panda Ailurus fulgens , musk deer Moschus fuscus , and assamese monkey Macaca assamensis including many others (KCA, 2019; Thapa et al., 2013).
The study area comprises the headwaters of the Tamor River system and is characterized by rugged topography, with deep river canyons cutting through the lower reaches. Here rough boulder and scree-dominated hillsides intersperse alpine grasslands and meadows. Because of the abundant pastureland in the region, local people of upper Tamor have been practicing their livestock rearing for more than 150 years (Hooker, 1854). Yak, Dzo and cattle are common livestock kept for rearing in the area. Unlike western Nepal, domesticated small livestock are almost non-existence especially within snow leopard habitat.