Patterns of livestock depredation by snow leopards and effects of intervention strategies: lessons from the Nepalese Himalaya

Context. Large carnivores are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities, and their protection is among the main goals of biodiversity conservation. The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) inhabits high-mountain landscapes where livestock depredation drives it into conflicts with local people and poses an obstacle for its conservation. Aims. The aim of this study was to identify the livestock groups most vulnerable to depredation, target them in implementation of practical interventions, and assess the effectiveness of intervention strategies for conflict mitigation. We present a novel attempt to evaluate intervention strategies for particularly vulnerable species, age groups, time, and seasons. Methods. In 2020, we conducted questionnaire surveys in two regions of the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal (Manang, n = 146 respondents and Upper Mustang, n = 183). We applied sample comparison testing, Jacobs’ selectivity index, and generalised linear models (GLMs) to assess rates and spatio-temporal heterogeneity of depredation, reveal vulnerable livestock groups, analyse potential effects of applied intervention strategies, and identify husbandry factors relevant to depredation. Key results. Snow leopard predation was a major cause of livestock mortality in both regions (25.4–39.8%), resulting in an estimated annual loss of 3.2–3.6% of all livestock. The main intervention strategies (e.g. corrals during night-time and herding during daytime) were applied inconsistently and not associated with decreases in reported livestock losses. In contrast, we found some evidence that dogs, deterrents (light, music playing, flapping tape, and dung burning), and the use of multiple interventions were associated with a reduction in reported night-time depredation of yaks. Conclusions and implications. We suggest conducting controlled randomised experiments for quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of dogs, deterrents, and the use of multiple interventions, and widely applying the most effective ones in local communities. This would benefit the long-term co-existence of snow leopards and humans in the Annapurna region and beyond.研究背景：大型食肉动物正日益受到人类活动的威胁，其保护是生物多样性保护的核心目标之一。雪豹（Panthera uncia）栖息于高山生境，因捕食家畜与当地居民产生冲突，这一问题也成为雪豹保护的阻碍。 研究目的：本研究旨在明确最易遭受捕食的家畜类群，以此为目标开展针对性防控实践，并评估冲突缓解干预策略的实施效果。本研究针对特定易受侵害的家畜类群、年龄组及时空季节维度，开展了干预策略评估的创新性尝试。 研究方法：2020年，我们在尼泊尔安纳普尔纳保护区的两个区域（马南县，有效受访者146名；上穆斯坦特区，有效受访者183名）开展了问卷调查。本研究采用样本比较检验、雅各布斯选择性指数（Jacobs’ selectivity index）以及广义线性模型（generalised linear models, GLMs），评估捕食事件的发生率与时空异质性，明确易受侵害的家畜类群，分析已实施干预策略的潜在效应，并识别与捕食相关的畜牧管理因素。 主要结果：雪豹捕食为两个区域家畜死亡的主要诱因（占比25.4%~39.8%），估算每年造成的家畜损失占总存栏量的3.2%~3.6%。主流干预策略（如夜间圈养、日间放牧）的实施并不统一，且与报告的家畜损失下降无显著关联。与之相反，本研究发现部分证据表明，护卫犬、威慑手段（灯光、播放音乐、飘动驱兽带、燃烧粪便）以及多策略联合干预，与牦牛夜间捕食事件的报告数量减少存在关联。 结论与启示：本研究建议开展对照随机试验，以定量评估护卫犬、威慑手段及多策略联合干预的实施效果，并在当地社区中推广最有效的干预方案。此举将助力安纳普尔纳地区乃至全球范围内雪豹与人类的长期共存。

搜集汇总

背景与挑战

背景概述

该数据集基于2020年在尼泊尔安纳普尔纳保护区（Manang和Upper Mustang）的问卷调查，研究雪豹捕食家畜的模式及干预策略效果。数据显示雪豹捕食是家畜死亡的主要原因（占25.4-39.8%），但主要干预策略（如夜间畜栏）应用不一致且未显著减少损失；而牧羊犬、威慑措施和多重干预可能对减少夜间牦牛捕食有效。数据集旨在为雪豹保护和人类共存提供科学依据，建议进一步实验验证有效策略。