Ecological determinants of livestock depredation by the snow leopard Panthera uncia in Bhutan

Retaliatory killing due to livestock depredation is a major threat to snow leopard (Panthera uncia) conservation. To devise management actions that reduce livestock losses and the consequent retaliatory killing, we need to understand the factors that influence the snow leopard's diet and depredation on livestock. Here, we studied snow leopard diet and ecological determinants of livestock depredation in Bhutan by semi-systematically collecting scat samples and analysing prey hair structure using a micro-histological method. We identified five prey species. Most of the snow leopard diet consisted of wild ungulates (85.8%), mostly bharal (60.8%). Yak (14.2%) was the only livestock species in the scats. Livestock depredation was higher during summer and differed markedly among four protected areas characterized by various wildlife densities and human activities. These findings will help develop a site-based management plan to ensure the long-term persistence of the snow leopard in Bhutan.

Automated summary

This study in Bhutan used snow leopard scat samples and prey hair structure analysis to reveal the snow leopard's diet and ecological determinants of livestock depredation, finding that snow leopards mainly prey on wild ungulates, and that livestock depredation is more common in summer and varies among protected areas with different wildlife densities. These findings will help in developing site-based management plans to ensure the long-term survival of snow leopards in Bhutan.