Status and distribution of the Near Threatened Tibetan argali Ovis ammon hodgsoni in Ladakh, India: effect of a hunting ban
TL;DR: In this article, the authors conducted surveys in the proposed Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary and the neighbouring Tsokar Basin, areas reported to have a relatively high abundance of argali within Ladakh and also opportunistically surveyed other areas and collected secondary information about the species occurrence in other parts of Ladakh.
Abstract: The Near Threatened Tibetan argali Ovis ammon hodgsoni is distributed across the Tibetan Plateau and its peripheral mountains Within India it occurs in Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir) and Sikkim, and the population was estimated to be c 200 in the early 1990s Hunting of the species was banned in Jammu and Kashmir in the 1980s but the effect of this hunting moratorium on the population has not previously been assessed We conducted surveys in the proposed Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary and the neighbouring Tsokar Basin, areas reported to have a relatively high abundance of argali within Ladakh We also opportunistically surveyed other areas and collected secondary information about the species’ occurrence in other parts of Ladakh A total of 127 animals were counted during the surveys Based on this number and other small populations reported earlier by us and others, we estimate a total population of 300–360 argali in Ladakh Although past population estimates were approximate, the present estimate, which includes areas not previously surveyed, suggests there has been no substantial change in the population of argali in Ladakh since the early 1980s Factors other than hunting therefore appear to be impeding argali population recovery in this region Pashmina-producing goats are the most abundant livestock within the argali's range and, owing to the recent increase in demand for this fibre, the goat population is increasing and this may be hindering the recovery of the argali
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TL;DR: It was found that though small groups were the most numerous, the greatest number of argali formed mid-sized groups of 6–20 individuals, which was significantly larger compared to group sizes in other argali subspecies.
Abstract: The study of group patterns in ungulates is very important, since grouping is a basic element of social organization. However, the behavior of Marco Polo sheep has been rarely reported because this argali subspecies lives in high-elevated, hard-to-reach areas. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the group size and group composition of Marco Polo sheep in the Pamir plateau. We found that though small groups (1–10 individuals) were the most numerous, the greatest number of argali formed mid-sized groups of 6–20 individuals, which was significantly larger compared to group sizes in other argali subspecies. This preference in Marco Polo sheep is likely related to their specific habitat, which is located on high-elevated plateaus with the least rugged and most open terrain, where staying in larger groups is the most effective strategy for survival. Regarding group composition, female groups were the most often registered, followed by male groups and mixed-sex groups. Mixed-sex groups were found more often during rutting season, slightly less often in winter and very rarely in other seasons, when most adult males and females were segregated into single-sex groups. Mixed-sex groups generally had the largest number of animals, which changed insignificantly over seasons, while female groups and male groups varied significantly and were closely correlated to the yearly breeding cycle and the availability and quality of their food supply. Marco Polo sheep formed larger groups as an effective antipredator strategy in seasons when forage amounts allowed them to do so, though human activities also had a significant impact on group patterns, forcing out wild sheep to aggregate on remnants of suitable pastures.
4 citations
Cites result from "Status and distribution of the Near..."
...In contrast, other argali subspecies, such as O. a. darwini (Reading et al. 1997), O. a. karelini (Yu et al. 2000; Xu et al. 2014), and O. a. hodgsoni (Namgail et al. 2009), demonstrated their preference to form similar group size compared to the our Marco Polo sheep population....
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01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on large migratory herbivores because they are among the most heavily impacted by global change due to their large home range requirements and focus on how to mitigate the impacts of land-use change on biodiversity.
Abstract: Land-use change, commercial over-harvesting of species, and climate change are recognized as the main drivers of biodiversity loss. As a result, it is estimated that 30% of the planet’s biodiversity may go extinct by 2050. This dissertation focuses on how to mitigate the impacts of land-use change on biodiversity. I focus on large migratory herbivores because they are among the most heavily impacted by global change due to their large home range requirements. Habitat fragmentation, illegal hunting, and human-wildlife conflicts are among the biggest threats to large herbivores and result from land-use change. For this reason, my first chapter focuses on monitoring the daily and hourly movement patterns of large herbivores to and from water resources to determine if humans can modify their behaviors in ways that will reduce conflict and habitat fragmentation. The data suggest that herbivore movement patterns can be predicted, and that humans can delineate wildlife movement corridors and design development projects that minimize impacts on large herbivores. The conversion of land to human use has been shown to increase illegal hunting. However, I discuss how a hunting ban has led to loss of local livelihoods magnifying the need for illegal
4 citations
Cites background from "Status and distribution of the Near..."
...This increase in illegal hunting has led to aggressive conservation programs 35 aimed at controlling poaching that often include hunting prohibitions (Namgail et al. 2009; MEWT 2013; Duffy 2016)....
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...35 aimed at controlling poaching that often include hunting prohibitions (Namgail et al. 2009; MEWT 2013; Duffy 2016)....
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01 Jan 2020
TL;DR: An overview of the unique diversity and conservation status of wild mammalian fauna of the Jammu and Kashmir State is presented in this article, where recommendations for better and effective management and conservation of the wild mammalian species of the State have been proposed for early implementation.
Abstract: This chapter presents an overview of the unique diversity and conservation status of wild mammalian fauna of the Jammu and Kashmir State. The State owing to the diverse habitats, wide altitudinal gradient, and climatic variations, ranging from lowland subtropical Jammu plains, temperate region of Kashmir to high-altitude cold desert of Trans-Himalaya of Ladakh, is home to an impressive faunal diversity, including mammals, many of which are endemic to this Himalayan State. The State possesses 112 species of mammals: including 34 globally threatened with 1 Critically Endangered, 6 Endangered, 12 Vulnerable, and 8 Near Threatened species. Looking ahead, recommendations for better and effective management and conservation of the wild mammalian fauna of the State have been proposed for early implementation.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors studied predation patterns, dietary competition, and niche segregation of three sympatric carnivores in the Indian Trans-Himalayas, and found that livestock was a major contributor to the wolf (56.46%), and snow leopard diet (30.15%), relatively more frequently.
Abstract: The Trans-Himalayan landscape is an extreme cold desert with limited diversity and a low density of wild prey. The landscape has three widespread carnivores—the wolf Canis lupus chanco, snow leopard Panthera uncia, and red fox Vulpes vulpes—competing for similar prey. We studied predation patterns, dietary competition, and niche segregation of three sympatric carnivores in the Indian Trans-Himalayas. The Himalayan or wooly wolf is one of the oldest lineages and has adapted to extreme cold. We further studied the prey selection of the wolf in the high-altitude environment. We collected 1,600 carnivore scats (wolf = 542, snow leopard = 31, and red fox = 1,027), and additional data on 573 snow leopard scats from literature was used in the analyses. We found that livestock was a major contributor to the wolf (56.46%) and snow leopard diet (30.01%). The wolf consumed blue sheep (8.26%) and ibex (3.13%), whereas the snow leopard subsisted on blue sheep (30.79%) and ibex (17.15%), relatively more frequently. The red fox preyed upon small species like pika and marmots (18.85 %); however, livestock carrions (16.49%), fruits and seeds (15.05%), and human-derived material (11.89%) were also consumed frequently. The dietary niche of three carnivore species highly overlapped (Pianka's index = 0.503, simulated mean = 0.419, p = 0.15) due to livestock. The carnivores segregated their diet in prey items originating from the wild. We tested a relationship between carnivore diet variations and prey/predator functional traits using RLQ ordination. Predator morphology traits like body size, weight, and habitat preference significantly affected the prey selection (p < 0.05). The wolf and snow leopard avoided the competition through habitat selection, while the red fox coexisted by exploiting a broader niche. The wolf showed site-specific variation in prey preferences albeit no prey selection at the landscape level (G2 = 6.79, df = 12, p = 0.87). The wolf preferred wild prey over domestic species at the wild prey rich site. The carnivores in this pastoralist landscape have adapted to exploit livestock resources despite facing persecution. Therefore, managing livestock and simultaneously restoring wild prey is crucial for the conservation of the carnivore guild in the Trans-Himalayan ecosystem.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report on the status and distribution of five large herbivores in the Chang Chenmo and the Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) areas of Ladakh, which remain the least known areas in Ladakh in terms of wildlife populations because they are very remote and politically highly sensitive.
Abstract: The Ladakh region of the Indian Trans-Himalaya supports twelve large herbivores, including eight mountain ungulates. Many of the species like the Tibetan antelope are highly endangered with rapidly declining populations. Yet there is little information on their status and distributions, especially in remote, inaccessible areas. We report on the status and distribution of five large herbivores in the Chang Chenmo and the Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) areas of Ladakh, which remain the least known areas in Ladakh in terms of wildlife populations because they are very remote and politically highly sensitive. During the surveys, we observed 246 Tibetan antelopes and 40 blue sheep in DBO. In Chang Chenmo we observed 40 Tibetan antelopes, 2 wild yaks, 42 Tibetan argalis, 67 Tibetan wild asses and 30 blue sheep. In DBO, the encounter rate was higher for the Tibetan antelope (mean = 2.54, SE = 0.63) than the blue sheep (mean = 0.29, SE = 0.19). In Chang Chenmo the highest encounter rate was for the Tibetan wild ass (mean = 0.48, SE = 0.26), whereas the wild yak had the lowest (mean = 0.02, SE = 0.01). Since Chang Cehnmo and DBO are important areas for rare species in India, and are located right at the border with China, there is an urgent need for international collaboration to protect these threatened animals. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/on.v9i1.5734
2 citations
Cites background from "Status and distribution of the Near..."
...Populations of several species continue to decline apace (Bhatnagar et al., 2006; Namgail et al., 2009), and conservation efforts are hindered by an apparent lack of information on their status and distributions, especially of species like the Tibetan antelope Pantholops hodgsoni and wild yak Bos…...
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...Populations of several species continue to decline apace (Bhatnagar et al., 2006; Namgail et al., 2009), and conservation efforts are hindered by an apparent lack of information on their status and distributions, especially of species like the Tibetan antelope Pantholops hodgsoni and wild yak Bos mutus....
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References
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Book•
01 Jan 1998
TL;DR: In this article, the author's research into the natural history of this little-known eco-system was carried out and the main focus of the book was on the Tibetan antelope or "chiru", whose migrations define this eco-System much as those of the wildebeest define the Serengeti.
Abstract: The vast remote Tibetan steppe, the Chang Tang, is home to a unique assemblage of large mammals, including the Tibetan antelope, gazelle, argali sheep, wild ass, wild yak, wolves and snow leopards. This text is the result of the author's research into the natural history of this little-known eco-system. The plains ungulates are the main focus of the book, especially the Tibetan antelope or "chiru", whose migrations define this eco-system much as those of the wildebeest define the Serengeti. Descriptions of mammal numbers and distribution, behaviour and ecology are provided, information which may allow wildlife, grasslands and pastoralists to continue to coexist harmoniously in this region. This project led to the creation of the 130,000-square-mile Chang Tang reserve by the Tibetan government in 1993, and conservation and management efforts continue.
447 citations
"Status and distribution of the Near..." refers background in this paper
...Although widely distributed over large mountainous tracts of Central Asia, O. a. hodgsoni is in a critical condition with , 7,000 individuals left in the wild (Schaller, 1998)....
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...Argali were the least encountered wild ungulate during extensive surveys on the Tibetan Plateau in the late 1980s and early 1990s (Schaller, 1998)....
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...The range of the Tibetan argali includes the Tibetan Plateau and its marginal mountains, encompassing c. 2.5 million km2 (Shackleton, 1997), but its population is highly fragmented throughout this vast range (Fox et al., 1991a; Schaller, 1998)....
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Book•
01 Jan 1997
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the value of wild caprinae to biodiversity, the threats facing the members of the species, and make recommendations to reverse current trends, emphasizing the importance to carpinae conservation and survival of close collaboration among all parties involved in wildlife conservation including local peoples and hunting organisations, governments, scientists and academic institutions.
Abstract: Wild caprinae, including sheep and goats, are an extremely valuable group of mammals. While most live in mountains, some inhabit desert grasslands, tropical forests or even arctic tundra. They range in size from the 30kg goral to the 350kg musk ox and display a variety of horn shapes and sizes as well as coat and body coloration. They are highly prized by hunters on account of their horns and their coats. Today, despite their important domestic relations, many wild caprinae are in danger of being lost forever: over 70 of caprinae taxa are threatened and over 30 endangered or critical. The main threats to them are over-harvesting, habitat loss and resource competition from livestock. Some face an additional threat from trophy hunters. Despite this, however, conservation legislation is either absent or, more often, poorly enforced. This action plan explores the value of caprinae to biodiversity, the threats facing the members of the species, and makes recommendations to reverse current trends. It also emphasises the importance to carpinae conservation and survival of close collaboration among all parties involved in wildlife conservation including local peoples and hunting organisations, governments, scientists and academic institutions.
265 citations
"Status and distribution of the Near..." refers background in this paper
...The range of the Tibetan argali includes the Tibetan Plateau and its marginal mountains, encompassing c. 2.5 million km2 (Shackleton, 1997), but its population is highly fragmented throughout this vast range (Fox et al., 1991a; Schaller, 1998)....
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TL;DR: The authors evaluated the influence of domestic sheep and goat grazing on the habitat use and time budget of the endangered Tibetan argali Ovis ammon hodgsoni in the proposed Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary, Ladakh, India.
Abstract: Livestock production is the primary source of livelihood and income in most of the high steppe and alpine regions of the Indian Trans-Himalaya. In some areas, especially those established or proposed for biodiversity conservation, recent increases in populations of domestic livestock, primarily sheep and goats, have raised concern about domestic animals competitively excluding wild herbivores from the rangelands. We evaluated the influence of domestic sheep and goat grazing on the habitat use and time budget of the endangered Tibetan argali Ovis ammon hodgsoni in the proposed Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary, Ladakh, India. We asked if the domestic sheep and goat grazing and collateral human activities relegate the argali to sub-optimal habitats, and alter their foraging time budgets. Data were collected on habitat use and time budget of a population of c. 50 argalis before and after c. 2,000 sheep and goats moved onto their winter pasture in the Tsabra catchment of the aforementioned reserve. Following the introduction of domestic sheep and goats, argalis continued to use the same catchment but shifted to steeper habitats, closer to cliffs, with lower vegetation cover, thus abandoning previously used plant communities with denser cover. Argalis’ active time spent foraging also decreased by 10% in response to the presence of livestock. These results suggest a clear disturbance effect of livestock on argalis, and indicate a potential for competition, conceivably a significant disadvantage for argalis in winter when forage availability is minimal.
104 citations
"Status and distribution of the Near..." refers background in this paper
...Studies on the interaction between livestock and argali have shown that livestock grazing not only depletes resources required by argali but also physically displaces argali from productive pastures (Namgail et al., 2007b)....
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...Ladakh is currently undergoing substantial socio-economic change, and populations of wild ungulates such as argali are being affected by development activities that influence habitat use (Bhatnagar et al., 2006; Namgail et al., 2007b)....
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...Pashmina (cashmere wool) is a mainstay of the economy of people living within the argali’s range, and livestock populations, especially those of cashmere-producing goats, have increased substantially (Namgail et al., 2007a, 2008)....
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