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Thinley, P.; Lham, D.; Wangchuk, S.; Wangchuk, N.
National snow leopard survey of Bhutan 2014-2016 (Phase I): sign and prey base survey
2016  Full Book

In August 2014, the first nation-wide snow leopard survey began with sign and prey-base survey (Phase I) across all possible areas of occurrence in Bhutan: Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve, northern part of Paro Territorial Forest Division, Jigme Dorji National Park, Wangchuk Centennial National Park, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary and Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary. This phase one survey, with the prime objective of understanding snow leopard and its prey distribution, lasted about a year. A total of 395 grids, each measuring 4 by 4 km, were surveyed across the potential habitats. Within each survey grid, the adequately trained survey teams looked for snow leopard and blue sheep signs, including sightings, and recorded their habitat utilizations. The MaxEnt model was used to predict the distributions of snow leopard and blue sheep. A total of 345 snow leopard signs were encountered, and they were dominated by scats, followed by tracks. Majority of signs were encountered in JDNP, while the least number of signs were found in JKSNR. As regards to blue sheep, 426 signs were recorded, with droppings dominating the signs as in the case of snow leopard signs. Blue sheep signs showed similar pattern like that of the snow leopard with highest numbers recorded in JDNP, and BWS recorded the least. SWS did not record any sign of both snow leopard and blue sheep. MaxEnt model showed high probability of snow leoaprd occurrence in central part of JKSNR, northern part of BWS's Dungzam Range. These areas also had high density of blue sheep, which was the environmental variable that mostly influenced the model gain for snow leopard distribution. Snow leopard distribution map clearly showed a declining probability of occurrence from west to east Bhutan. The model also showed the highest probability of blue sheep occurrence in most of JDNP, northern part of PTFD, central part of JKSNR, lower half of WCNP, and upper right portion of BWS. Land cover variable mostly influenced the MaxEnt model of blue sheep distribution. Bhutan has vast swathe of suitable areas for snow leopard and blue sheep occurrence based on the phase I survey findings. In order to maintain Bhutan as an important stronghold for snow leopard conservation in the eastern Himalayas, several management recommendations are offered of which the strong emphasis should be afforded to maintain the alpine meadows and habitat connectivity between potential habitats. Data generated from this report could be used in careful planning of the Phase II survey, which involves estimated snow leopard population using camera traps, and for drafting of the snow leopard landscape conservation plan for Bhutan.

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