Assessment of Conservation Threats of Snow Leopard in The Manaslu Conservation Area, Nepal

Abstract

Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is the topmost predator of the remote Himalayan regions of the Central Asia. The species is categorized as threatened by IUCN due to its declining population. This study aims to assess the human-snow leopard conflict and determine the threats to snow leopard population in Manslu Conservation Area (MCA) and suggest suitable conservation strategies. The study was carried out in Samdo village, Samagaun VDC, Manaslu Conservation Area. Census survey was carried out using well designed sets of questionnaire in each household along with key informant interview (KII) method to collect the primary data required to meet the set objectives. Predation from snow leopards and accidents (39.39% each) were the major cause for mortality of the domestic livestock. The average loss of livestock from snow leopard predation was calculated to be 0.36 individuals per household and yak was only the livestock which was attacked and killed by the snow leopards. There were no compensation schemes for the livestock lost from predation by snow leopards at the time of study. Almost one-third of the local people showed negative attitude towards snow leopard due to predation on their livestock. Majority of local people were unaware of the legal wildlife protection of wildlife. The villagers do not involve in any hunting activities as they are all Buddhists and their religious and cultural beliefs does not allow them to participate in killing activities. The presence of stray dogs, declination in population of blue sheep which is the principal prey species of snow leopards in the study area and lack of conservation knowledge of the local people of Samdo village were identified as the major threats to snow leopard population. Based on the findings, the study recommends for establishment of Snow Leopard Conservation Committee to initiate compensation schemes for the local herders as soon as possible to minimize the human-snow leopard conflict. Furthermore, effective conservation strategies can be established based on the threats assessed to the snow leopard population in the study area.