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| Khorozyan, I. | |
| Habitat preferences by the Persian Leopard (_Panthera pardus saxicolor_ Pocock, 1927) in Armenia | |
| 2003 Zoology in the Middle East (30): 25-36 | |
This paper describes and discusses the results of a study which combined Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping and statistical analysis of the spatial distribution of the Persian Leopard Panthera pardus saxicolor presence signs (latrines and tracks) and the key human activities (villages, roads and livestock breeding) in the principal protected area of Armenia, Khosrov Reserve, and its wildlife corridor, Gndasar Mt./Noravank Canyon area. The critical habitat for the Leopard in the Khosrov Reserve is sparse juniper forest. Human activities are least intense in the Khosrov Reserve area, where all the villages are abandoned but are used as summer pastures for livestock. On the other hand, the Gndasar Mt./Noravank Canyon area contains high highway density and 13 inhabited villages with high human and livestock numbers. Livestock grazing should be carefully controlled for Leopard conservation, since this cats range and livestock areas overlap. The Gndasar Mt./Noravank Canyon area provides a vital movement corridor for the Leopards and other wildlife between Khosrov Reserve and southern Armenia, and also with northern Iran where significant numbers of Leopards live. Based on the spatial information we provide, we give a list of urgent recommendations for Leopard conservation measures in the study area. |
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