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R. Raghunath

Bio: R. Raghunath is an academic researcher from Nature Conservation Foundation. The author has contributed to research in topics: Conservation status & Population. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 8 publications receiving 128 citations.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used key informant surveys to generate detection histories for 18 species of large mammals (body mass > 2 kg) at two points in time (present and 30 years ago) in the Southern subregion of the Western Ghats global biodiversity hotspot.

55 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Rajapandian Kanagaraj 1,2,3 | Miguel B. Araújo1,4,5 | Rathin Barman6* | Priya Davidar7 | Rahul De3 | Dinesh K. Digal7 | G. V. Gopi3 | A. P. Goyal3
Abstract: MBA acknowledges funding from Spanish Ministry of Education CGL2015-68438-P project. PD and J-PP thank USFWS Asian elephant program (F12APO1186) and the International Elephant Foundation for financial support.

46 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
25 Oct 2017-Oryx
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used recall-based key-informant interviews to estimate site use by snow leopards and their primary wild prey, blue sheep Pseudois nayaur and Asiatic ibex Capra sibirica, across two time periods (past: 1985-1992; recent: 2008-2012).
Abstract: Understanding species distributions, patterns of change and threats can form the basis for assessing the conservation status of elusive species that are difficult to survey. The snow leopard Panthera uncia is the top predator of the Central and South Asian mountains. Knowledge of the distribution and status of this elusive felid and its wild prey is limited. Using recall-based key-informant interviews we estimated site use by snow leopards and their primary wild prey, blue sheep Pseudois nayaur and Asiatic ibex Capra sibirica, across two time periods (past: 1985–1992; recent: 2008–2012) in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. We also conducted a threat assessment for the recent period. Probability of site use was similar across the two time periods for snow leopards, blue sheep and ibex, whereas for wild prey (blue sheep and ibex combined) overall there was an 8% contraction. Although our surveys were conducted in areas within the presumed distribution range of the snow leopard, we found snow leopards were using only 75% of the area (14,616 km2). Blue sheep and ibex had distinct distribution ranges. Snow leopards and their wild prey were not restricted to protected areas, which encompassed only 17% of their distribution within the study area. Migratory livestock grazing was pervasive across ibex distribution range and was the most widespread and serious conservation threat. Depredation by free-ranging dogs, and illegal hunting and wildlife trade were the other severe threats. Our results underscore the importance of community-based, landscape-scale conservation approaches and caution against reliance on geophysical and opinion-based distribution maps that have been used to estimate national and global snow leopard ranges.

25 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jul 2009-Oryx
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted a range-wide survey of the flare horned markhor C. f. falconeri in India and found that the largest population in India, in Kajinag, may have potential for long-term survival if immediate conservation measures can be implemented.
Abstract: The flare horned markhor Capra falconeri occurs in northern Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Most of the species’ range is along volatile international borders and limited information is available, especially for the population of the Pir Panjal or Kashmir markhor C. f. falconeri in India. From October 2004 to April 2005 we therefore conducted the first range-wide survey of the species in India since independence. The markhor's range has shrunk from c. 300 km2 in the late 1940s to c. 120 km2 in 2004–2005. Our surveys and interviews with key local informants indicate that 350–375 markhor may yet exist in the region. All the populations are small (usually < 50) and fragmented. International conflicts, developmental projects, the needs of an increasing human population and poaching, along with lack of awareness, are the primary threats to the species. The largest population in India, in Kajinag, may have potential for long-term survival if immediate conservation measures can be implemented.

22 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used various data gathered between 2000 and 2015 to map the distribution of elephants in Karnataka at the scale of the smallest forest management unit, the beat, while also presenting data on elephant dung density for a subset of 'elephant beats.'

18 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
Amy Dickman1
TL;DR: This article reviewed a wide variety of case studies to show how social factors strongly influence perceptions of human-wildlife conflict, and highlight how mitigation approaches should become increasingly innovative and interdisciplinary in order to enable people to move from conflict towards coexistence.
Abstract: Human–wildlife conflict is one of the most critical threats facing many wildlife species today, and the topic is receiving increasing attention from conservation biologists. Direct wildlife damage is commonly cited as the main driver of conflict, and many tools exist for reducing such damage. However, significant conflict often remains even after damage has been reduced, suggesting that conflict requires novel, comprehensive approaches for long-term resolution. Although most mitigation studies investigate only the technical aspects of conflict reduction, peoples' attitudes towards wildlife are complex, with social factors as diverse as religious affiliation, ethnicity and cultural beliefs all shaping conflict intensity. Moreover, human–wildlife conflicts are often manifestations of underlying human–human conflicts, such as between authorities and local people, or between people of different cultural backgrounds. Despite evidence that social factors can be more important in driving conflict than wildlife damage incurred, they are often ignored in conflict studies. Developing a broader awareness of conflict drivers will advance understanding of the patterns and underlying processes behind this critical conservation issue. In this paper, I review a wide variety of case studies to show how social factors strongly influence perceptions of human–wildlife conflict, and highlight how mitigation approaches should become increasingly innovative and interdisciplinary in order to enable people to move from conflict towards coexistence.

1,062 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
16 Jan 2015-Science
TL;DR: Today’s low rates of marine extinction may be the prelude to a major extinction pulse, similar to that observed on land during the industrial revolution, as the footprint of human ocean use widens.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Comparing patterns of ter- restrial and marine defaunation helps to place human impacts on marine fauna in context and to navigate toward recovery. De- faunation began in ear- nest tens of thousands of years later in the oceans than it did on land. Al- though defaunation has been less severe in the oceans than on land, our effects on marine animals are increasing in pace and impact. Humans have caused few complete extinctions in the sea, but we are responsible for many ecological, commercial, and local extinctions. Despite our late start, humans have already powerfully changed virtually all major marine ecosystems. ADVANCES: Humans have profoundly de- creased the abundance of both large (e.g., whales) and small (e.g., anchovies) marine fauna. Such declines can generate waves of ecological change that travel both up and down marine food webs and can alter ocean ecosystem functioning. Human harvesters have also been a major force of evolutionary change in the oceans and have reshaped the genetic structure of marine animal popula- tions. Climate change threatens toaccelerate marine defaunation over the next century. The high mobility of many marine animals offers some increased, though limited, ca- pacity for marine species to respond to cli- mate stress, but it also exposes many species to increased risk from other stressors. Be- cause humans are intensely reliant on ocean ecosystems for food and other ecosystem ser- vices, we are deeply affected by all of these forecasted changes. Three lessons emerge when comparing the marine and terrestrial defaunation ex-

898 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an interdisciplinary conceptual approach to manage species coexistence over the long-term is presented, highlighting the importance of including anthropological and geographical knowledge to find sustainable solutions to managing human-elephant conflict.
Abstract: Human-elephant conflict is a major conservation concern in elephant range countries. A variety of management strategies have been developed and are practiced at different scales for preventing and mitigating human-elephant conflict. However, human-elephant conflict remains pervasive as the majority of existing prevention strategies are driven by site-specific factors that only offer short-term solutions, while mitigation strategies frequently transfer conflict risk from one place to another. Here, we review current human-elephant conflict management strategies and describe an interdisciplinary conceptual approach to manage species coexistence over the long-term. Our proposed model identifies shared resource use between humans and elephants at different spatial and temporal scales for development of long-term solutions. The model also highlights the importance of including anthropological and geographical knowledge to find sustainable solutions to managing human-elephant conflict.

144 citations