Comprehensive assessment of snow leopard distribution and population in the Indian Trans-Himalaya, Ladakh: Standardizing methods for evidence-based conservation DOI Creative Commons
Pankaj Raina, Ninad Avinash Mungi, Ujjwal Kumar

et al.

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(5), P. e0322136 - e0322136

Published: May 7, 2025

Effective conservation of threatened species depends on accurate scientific assessment their occurrence and population status. This information is often lacking or has poor reliability for low-density carnivores, such as snow leopards ( Panthera uncia ) that inhabit remote challenging habitats. We address prevalent sampling study design limitations evaluate the distribution prey using a double approach across Trans-Himalayan Ladakh (~59,000 km 2 ), India. used spatial data sign leopards, collected by replicate surveys 6,149 to model occupancy potential distribution. Regions representing varying were stratify density-estimation spatially explicit capture-recapture 956 camera trap locations with an effort 97,313 nights. Camera traps captured 26,130 images 126 unique identified pattern recognition program distinctive forehead pelage patterns. Low-elevation grassy resource-rich regions, moderate climatic conditions complex terrain had higher presence herbivores consequently leopards. Density was estimated at ~ 1 per 100 large movement parameter (σ) 4.09 (SE 0.15) detection home-range centre (g 0 0.003 0.0003). Snow leopard density reached up 3.18 driven wild domestic in suitable The occupied 47,572 , holding globally highest extensive densities Hemis National Park (2.073 ± 0.278 km²), Kargil (1.257 0.480 Leh (1.029 0.434 making one world’s largest contiguous populations 477 (CI 380–598) holds global significance important source predominantly (61%) occurring multi-use areas closely linked herbivores. offer robust comprehensive method large-scale estimation applicable globally. co-occurrence humans wildlife landscape underscores need inclusive evidence-based planning, especially considering impending infrastructural development escalating changes.

Language: Английский

Tiger turnaround as populations grow in India DOI
William F. Laurance, Uma Ramakrishnan

Nature, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 8, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Comprehensive assessment of snow leopard distribution and population in the Indian Trans-Himalaya, Ladakh: Standardizing methods for evidence-based conservation DOI Creative Commons
Pankaj Raina, Ninad Avinash Mungi, Ujjwal Kumar

et al.

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(5), P. e0322136 - e0322136

Published: May 7, 2025

Effective conservation of threatened species depends on accurate scientific assessment their occurrence and population status. This information is often lacking or has poor reliability for low-density carnivores, such as snow leopards ( Panthera uncia ) that inhabit remote challenging habitats. We address prevalent sampling study design limitations evaluate the distribution prey using a double approach across Trans-Himalayan Ladakh (~59,000 km 2 ), India. used spatial data sign leopards, collected by replicate surveys 6,149 to model occupancy potential distribution. Regions representing varying were stratify density-estimation spatially explicit capture-recapture 956 camera trap locations with an effort 97,313 nights. Camera traps captured 26,130 images 126 unique identified pattern recognition program distinctive forehead pelage patterns. Low-elevation grassy resource-rich regions, moderate climatic conditions complex terrain had higher presence herbivores consequently leopards. Density was estimated at ~ 1 per 100 large movement parameter (σ) 4.09 (SE 0.15) detection home-range centre (g 0 0.003 0.0003). Snow leopard density reached up 3.18 driven wild domestic in suitable The occupied 47,572 , holding globally highest extensive densities Hemis National Park (2.073 ± 0.278 km²), Kargil (1.257 0.480 Leh (1.029 0.434 making one world’s largest contiguous populations 477 (CI 380–598) holds global significance important source predominantly (61%) occurring multi-use areas closely linked herbivores. offer robust comprehensive method large-scale estimation applicable globally. co-occurrence humans wildlife landscape underscores need inclusive evidence-based planning, especially considering impending infrastructural development escalating changes.

Language: Английский

Citations

0