Impact of climate change on distribution of common leopard (Panthera pardus) and its implication on conservation and conflict in Nepal

Heliyon, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(1), P. e12807 - e12807

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Climate change is projected to create alterations in species distributions over the planet. The common leopard (Panthera pardus) serves an important ecological function as a member of big carnivore guild, but little known about how climate may affect their distribution. In this study, we use MaxEnt simulate geographic by illustrating potential present and future ranges utilizing presence records alongside topographic bioclimatic variables based on two shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP2-4.5 SSP5-8.5) scenarios. goals study was look into possible distribution leopards due change, well explore implications for conservation conflict with humans. At present, 4% Nepal found be highly suitable leopards, 43% suitable, 19% marginally 34% unsuitable. A large portion climatically habitat confined non-protected areas, majority encompassed forest land, followed agricultural areas. Elevation, mean temperature driest quarter, annual precipitation, precipitation seasonality were influencing suitability leopard. significant increase observed high mountain region, indicating shift upper elevation areas effects change. We recommend timely management these habitats expand range vulnerable species. same time, combination expanding new poor practices could escalate human-leopard conflict. Therefore, further impact prey proper techniques should prioritized mitigate conflicts.

Language: Английский

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Spatio-temporal patterns of tigers in response to prey species and anthropogenic activities

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2039)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Understanding factors influencing the spatio-temporal patterns of apex predators is prerequisite for their conservation. We studied space use and diel activity tigers ( Panthera tigris ) in response to prey availability anthropogenic activities with trail cameras Nepal during December 2022–March 2023. used hierarchical occupancy models evaluate how (space species) (number humans livestock) contributed tigers’ use, while accounting landscape effects on detection probability. calculated overlap between each species, as well livestock. Overall, had relatively high (0.540 ± 0.092) probability (0.742 0.073), were most influenced by wild pig Sus scrofa ), gaur Bos gaurus number livestock detections. Tigers exhibited extensive temporal prey, but not or Our study demonstrates that can co-occur a altering potentially moving cryptically certain landscapes, provided adequate available. Management actions ensure benefit tiger

Language: Английский

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Climate‐driven decline in the habitat of the endemic spiny babbler (Turdoides nipalensis)

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(6)

Published: June 1, 2023

Abstract Climate change could amplify the extinction risk of endemic species, and is even greater for species occupying high elevations mountain ranges. In this study, we assessed climatically suitable habitat only Nepalese bird spiny babbler ( Turdoides nipalensis ), predicted extent future (2050 2070) under two climate scenarios (SSP2‐4.5 SSP5‐8.5). We used georeferenced occurrence points alongside ecologically meaningful climatic topographic variables to develop an ensemble model using different distribution modeling algorithms in BIOMOD2. identified 22,488.83 km 2 (15%) Nepal's total land area as where nonprotected regions incorporated largest (88%), with a majority within central Mid‐Hill region. Under SSP2‐4.5 scenario, 21.58% 34.08% current range are projected be lost by 2050 2070, respectively. Whereas SSP5‐8.5 our projections suggest that 40.45% 52.18% will Habitat suitability increased rise warmest quarter precipitation (above 1000 mm), coldest between 50 100 mm, temperature 20 30°C. Given results, it crucial review conservation policy areas formulate babbler‐specific action plan special focus on protecting their primary human‐dominated landscapes areas.

Language: Английский

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Anthropogenic mortality of large mammals and trends of conflict over two decades in Nepal

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(10)

Published: Oct. 1, 2022

Wildlife conservation in human-dominated landscapes faces increased challenges due to rising conflicts between humans and wildlife. We investigated the human wildlife loss rates human-wildlife conflict 2000 2020 Nepal. concentrated on Asian elephant (

Language: Английский

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Distribution, diel activity patterns and human-bear interactions of the Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) in the Deosai National Park, Pakistan

Mammal Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 7, 2024

Language: Английский

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Spatio-temporal patterns of human-wildlife conflicts and effectiveness of mitigation in Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 18(4), P. e0282654 - e0282654

Published: April 17, 2023

Human-wildlife interactions occur where human and wildlife coexist share common resources including food or shelter. Increasing populations within protected areas also can increase with humans living adjacent to these areas, resulting in conflicts casualty, livestock depredation, crop damage, property loss. We analyzed six years human-wildlife conflict data from 2016–2021 the buffer zone of Shuklaphanta National Park conducted questionnaire survey investigate factors influencing conflicts. Nineteen people were attacked by wildlife, primarily wild boar ( Sus scrofa ). Ninety-two killed leopard Panthera pardus ), among most sheep goats near ShNP during summer. Crops frequently damaged Asian elephants Elephas maximus followed boar. Greatest economic losses damage rice, sugarcane wheat. elephant was only reported species cause structural (e.g., homes). Majority respondents (83%) considered that mitigation techniques are currently practice effective reduce However, effectiveness specific, we recommend use more efficacious deterrents electric fencing) for large herbivores mesh wire fencing partially buried ground. Effective collaboration different tiers government, non-governmental organizations, civil societies affected communities important best practices continue apply innovative methods impactful region.

Language: Английский

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Leopard occupancy correlates with tiger and prey occurrences in the Parsa‐Koshi Complex, Nepal

Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Large carnivores such as leopards ( Panthera pardus ) experience continuing threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, depletion of prey populations, retaliatory killing following conflicts with humans. We aimed to identify factors affecting leopard occupancy temporal overlap between tigers P. tigris ), their major prey, human activities in the Parsa‐Koshi Complex (PKC), Nepal. deployed 154 cameras for 21 days each along wildlife trails throughout PKC during December 2022–March 2023. found low (0.17 ± 0.04) PKC, greater rates within protected areas, particularly Parsa National Park its buffer zone. Human (63.10 23) livestock (36.46 102) detections were higher across PKC. Leopard was positively associated presence prey. Temporal moderately high tigers, well Our research suggests that coexistence is likely largely facilitated by availability, which may reduce competition. Further, we demonstrate maintaining forest cohesion can improve leopards. Intensifying use agricultural areas could fragmentation increase overall, turn reducing depredation improving leopard‐human co‐existence conservation.

Language: Английский

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Tigers, Terrain, and Human Settlement Influence the Occupancy of Leopards (Panthera pardus) in Southwestern Tarai, Nepal

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Maintaining a healthy population of common leopards, highly adaptive felid, requires updated information on their spatial occurrence. In Nepal's Tarai region, leopards coexist with tigers, which are well‐studied felid throughout its range. However, knowledge is very scarce the patterns leopard occupancy. We conducted an occupancy survey using remote cameras in southwestern Tarai, particularly Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal, to assess habitat use by from December 2022 January 2023. Naive and model‐averaged estimates were 0.51 0.6563 (SE: 0.022, 95% CI: 0.612, 0.70), respectively. The detection was negatively correlated presence tigers. Leopard higher closer human settlement rugged terrain. At time when Nepal has achieved tiger conservation targets, efforts required maintain adequate prey biomass minimize fatal encounters between tigers displacement peripheral area, where villagers might kill them retaliation livestock killing. Long‐term monitoring improve understanding interaction humans region Nepal.

Language: Английский

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Applying fuzzy logic cognitive modeling to integrate socio-ecological knowledge for carnivore conflict management

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 303, P. 111019 - 111019

Published: Feb. 14, 2025

Language: Английский

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Prey selection by leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) in the mid‐hill region of Nepal

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Abstract Information on prey selection and the diet of leopard ( Panthera pardus fusca ) is essential for conservation. We conducted an investigation into species proportion each in leopard's a human‐dominated mid‐hill region Nepal. The analysis 96 scats collected between August 2020 March 2021 revealed that leopards consumed 15 species, including small‐ medium‐sized mammals livestock. In addition to these we also found plastic materials, bird feathers, some unidentified items scats. Wild ungulates (such as barking deer, Muntiacus muntjak wild boar, Sus scrofa constituted only 10% biomass scats, while livestock contributed 27%, other 50%. Among all domestic goats had highest relative followed by jungle cat Felis chaus ), dog Canis familiaris large Indian civet Viverra zibetha ). Similarly, hare Lepus nigricollis individuals present scat samples, civet. A lower from higher dependency indicate shortage prey, such deer habitats. Therefore, conservation especially crucial reducing dependence mitigating human‐leopard conflicts future.

Language: Английский

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