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Bhatt TR, Castley JG, Sims‐Castley R, Baral HS, Chauvenet ALM. Connecting tiger ( Panthera tigris) populations in Nepal: Identification of corridors among tiger-bearing protected areas. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10140. [PMID: 37261321 PMCID: PMC10227491 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Habitat fragmentation and isolation threaten the survival of several wide-ranging species, such as tigers, through increased risk from diseases, disasters, climate change, and genetic depression. Identification of the habitat most likely to achieve connectivity among protected areas is vital for the long-term persistence of tigers. We aimed to improve the mapping of potential transfrontier protected area corridors for tigers by connecting sites within the Terai Arc Landscape in Nepal and to those in India, highlighting targeted conservation actions needed along these corridors to maintain long-term connectivity. We used least-cost corridor modeling and circuit theory to identify potential corridors and bottlenecks in the study area. The landscape's resistance to tigers' movement was gathered from expert opinions to inform corridor modeling. We identified nine potential tiger corridors in the Terai Arc Landscape-Nepal that aligned strongly with the remaining intact habitats of the Siwalik landscape, which could facilitate tiger movement. Banke-Bardia and Chitwan-Parsa-Valimiki complexes and Lagga-Bhagga and Khata corridors were identified as high-priority conservation cores and corridors. While our model exhibited congruence with most established corridors in the landscape, it has identified the need to enhance existing corridors to improve landscape connectivity. Several pinch points posing an increased risk to connectivity were identified. Most of these were located near the protected area boundaries and along the Nepal-India border. The Siwalik landscape holds the key to long-term connectivity in the study area; however, immediate conservation attention is needed, particularly at pinch points, to secure this connectivity for tigers. Validation of identified corridors through empirical research and their conservation is a priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tek Raj Bhatt
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food SecurityGriffith UniversitySouthportQueenslandAustralia
- School of Environment and ScienceGriffith UniversitySouthportQueenslandAustralia
| | - J. Guy Castley
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food SecurityGriffith UniversitySouthportQueenslandAustralia
- School of Environment and ScienceGriffith UniversitySouthportQueenslandAustralia
| | | | | | - Alienor L. M. Chauvenet
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food SecurityGriffith UniversitySouthportQueenslandAustralia
- School of Environment and ScienceGriffith UniversitySouthportQueenslandAustralia
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Canine Distemper Virus in Tigers (Panthera tigris) and Leopards (P. pardus) in Nepal. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020203. [PMID: 36839475 PMCID: PMC9962338 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
From wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Serengeti to tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in the Russian Far East, canine distemper virus (CDV) has been repeatedly identified as a threat to wild carnivores. Between 2020 and 2022, six Indian leopards (P. pardus fusca) presented to Nepali authorities with fatal neurological disease, consistent with CDV. Here, we report the findings of a serosurvey of wild felids from Nepal. A total of 48 serum samples were tested, comprising 28 Bengal tigers (P. t. tigris) and 20 Indian leopards. Neutralizing antibodies were identified in three tigers and six leopards, equating to seroprevalences of 11% (CI: 2.8-29.3%, n = 28) and 30% (CI: 12.8-54.3%, n = 20), respectively. More than one-third of seropositive animals were symptomatic, and three died within a week of being sampled. The predation of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) has been posited as a potential route of infection. A comparison of existing diet studies revealed that while leopards in Nepal frequently predate on dogs, tigers do not, potentially supporting this hypothesis. However, further work, including molecular analyses, would be needed to confirm this.
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Ghimire P. Conservation of Tiger Panthera tigris in Nepal: a review of current efforts and challenges. JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA 2022. [DOI: 10.11609/jott.7011.14.9.21769-21775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The Tiger Panthera tigris is one of the most charismatic and well known Asian big cats. In the lowlands of Nepal, Tigers along with the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis and the Asiatic Elephant Elephas maximus serve as flagship species gathering global conservation attention. Current surveys estimate a population of 235 tigers in Nepal. Tigers in Nepal are strictly protected in five protected areas located in the lowlands and their adjoining forest areas which cover 7,668.20 km2. However, over the last century, tiger population and their distribution range drastically declined with the species heading towards extinction. The long-term survival of this charismatic species is challenging largely due to the loss and fragmentation of habitat, climate change, increasing human-wildlife interface and poaching for illegal trade of body parts. In response to this, the Government of Nepal along with conservation agencies and local communities have proceeded to execute various conservation initiatives both at national and international level. This paper tries to scrutinize the current status of tiger population, conservation efforts, and existing challenges to conserve tiger species in Nepal.
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Chaudhary S, Uddin K, Chettri N, Thapa R, Sharma E. Protected areas in the Hindu Kush Himalaya: A regional assessment of the status, distribution, and gaps. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sunita Chaudhary
- International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Kathmandu Nepal
- Macquarie University Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Kabir Uddin
- International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Kathmandu Nepal
| | - Nakul Chettri
- International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Kathmandu Nepal
| | - Rajesh Thapa
- University of New England Armidale New South Wales Australia
| | - Eklabya Sharma
- International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Kathmandu Nepal
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Finnegan SP, Galvez‐Bravo L, Silveira L, Tôrres NM, Jácomo ATA, Alves GB, Dalerum F. Reserve size, dispersal and population viability in wide ranging carnivores: the case of jaguars in Emas National Park, Brazil. Anim Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. P. Finnegan
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology College of Environmental Science and Forestry State University of New York New York NY USA
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool UK
- Jaguar Conservation Fund/Instituto Onça‐Pintada Mineiros Goias Brazil
| | - L. Galvez‐Bravo
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool UK
| | - L. Silveira
- Jaguar Conservation Fund/Instituto Onça‐Pintada Mineiros Goias Brazil
| | - N. M. Tôrres
- Jaguar Conservation Fund/Instituto Onça‐Pintada Mineiros Goias Brazil
- Federal University of Uberlândia Uberlândia Brazil
| | - A. T. A Jácomo
- Jaguar Conservation Fund/Instituto Onça‐Pintada Mineiros Goias Brazil
| | - G. B. Alves
- Jaguar Conservation Fund/Instituto Onça‐Pintada Mineiros Goias Brazil
- Federal University of Uberlândia Uberlândia Brazil
| | - F. Dalerum
- Mixed Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB) University of Oviedo Oviedo Spain
- Department of Zoology and Entomology Mammal Research Institute University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
- Department of Zoology Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
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Blanco J, Bellón B, Fabricius C, de O Roque F, Pays O, Laurent F, Fritz H, Renaud PC. Interface processes between protected and unprotected areas: A global review and ways forward. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:1138-1154. [PMID: 31597213 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Land-use changes and the expansion of protected areas (PAs) have amplified the interaction between protected and unprotected areas worldwide. In this context, 'interface processes' (human-nature and cross-boundary interactions inside and around PAs) have become central to issues around the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. This scientific literature review aimed to explore current knowledge and research gaps on interface processes regarding terrestrial PAs. At first, 3,515 references related to the topic were extracted through a standardized search on the Web of Science and analyzed with scientometric techniques. Next, a full-text analysis was conducted on a sample of 240 research papers. A keyword analysis revealed a wide diversity of research topics, from 'pure' ecology to sociopolitical research. We found a bias in the geographical distribution of research, with half the papers focusing on eight countries. Additionally, we found that the spatial extent of cross-boundary interactions was rarely assessed, preventing any clear delimitation of PA interactive zones. In the 240 research papers we scanned, we identified 403 processes that were studied. The ecological effects of PAs were well documented and appeared to be positive overall. In contrast, the effects of PAs on local communities were understudied and, according to the literature focusing on these, were very variable according to local contexts. Our findings highlight key research advances on interface processes, especially regarding the ecological outcomes of PAs, the influence of human activities on biodiversity, and PA governance issues. In contrast, main knowledge gaps concern the spatial extent of interactive zones, as well as the interactions between local people and conservation actions and how to promote synergies between them. While the review was limited to terrestrial PAs, its findings allow us to propose research priorities for tackling environmental and socioeconomic challenges in the face of a rapidly changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Blanco
- UMR CNRS 6554 LETG-Angers, UFR Sciences, University of Angers, Angers, France
| | - Beatriz Bellón
- UMR CNRS 6554 LETG-Angers, UFR Sciences, University of Angers, Angers, France
| | - Christo Fabricius
- World Wildlife Fund, Washington, DC, USA
- Sustainability Research Unit, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Fabio de O Roque
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science (TESS) and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, Qld, Australia
| | - Olivier Pays
- UMR CNRS 6554 LETG-Angers, UFR Sciences, University of Angers, Angers, France
- LTSER France, CNRS, Hwange National Park, Dete, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Hervé Fritz
- Sustainability Research Unit, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- LTSER France, CNRS, Hwange National Park, Dete, Zimbabwe
- UCBL, UMR CNRS 5558, University of Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Pierre-Cyril Renaud
- UMR CNRS 6554 LETG-Angers, UFR Sciences, University of Angers, Angers, France
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Determining the risk of predator attacks around protected areas: the case of Bardia National Park, Nepal. ORYX 2019. [DOI: 10.1017/s0030605318001436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractIn this study we determined the probability of predator attacks on livestock around Bardia National Park, Nepal. We conducted semi-structured interviews to explore the patterns and factors affecting livestock losses in four administrative sectors of the Park's buffer zone. We developed models to investigate the overall probability of livestock loss, economic damage caused, and the respondents’ attitudes towards wildlife. The probability of leopard attacks on livestock was much higher (85% of all livestock lost to depredation) than that of tiger attacks (8%), and the northern sector experienced the highest loss of livestock (50% modelled probability of livestock loss) in the buffer zone. Livestock loss was significantly related to the number of livestock owned by respondents, their ethnic group, and village distance to the Park boundary. Economic damage was influenced by buffer zone sector, number of livestock owned, and distance to the Park boundary. Conservation attitudes depended on respondents’ knowledge of wildlife, levels of education and self-sufficiency, and the probability of livestock being killed by leopards. Respondents who were male, highly educated and self-sufficient were most likely to support conservation. Tigers are tolerated based on religious beliefs, and these cultural values, together with the sharing of conservation benefits, facilitate conservation. Leopards, however, are not tolerated in the same way and are the most damaging predators.
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