Genetic identification of carnivore scat: implication of dietary information for human–carnivore conflict in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

Abstract

Human-leopard conflict exists throughout the distribution range of leopards. The management of such interactions with humans is a high priority for the Nepalese authorities. To gain information on the extent of the human-leopard conflict in the region, we collected carnivore scat over an area of approximately 400 km² in the lower belt of the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. We used species-specific polymerase chain reaction techniques to verify the identity of the scat and identified the diet using micro-histological analysis. Out of 83 scats, 36 were positively identified using molecular analysis as originating from common leopards and 47 were leopard-negative. Wild prey contributed more than 82% of the common leopard diet, with the barking deer comprising most of this (33.5%). Domestic livestock was ranked second, at 17% of the diet. Other carnivores consumed small mammals (rodents, 27%) and livestock (19%), the proportion of which was higher than that consumed by common leopards in this region, although this difference was not significant. Our results suggest that small carnivores are no less responsible than common leopards for livestock depredation in the study area.

Konflikto su žmonėmis problema egzistuoja visame leopardų paplitimo areale. Tokių konfliktų valdymas Nepale yra vienas iš valdžios veiklos prioritetų. Žmonių-leopardų konflikto masto nustatymui regione plėšrūnų ekskrementus rinkome žemutinėje saugomos Annapurna teritorijos dalyje (maždaug 400 km² teritorijoje). Plėšrūno rūšis buvo identifikuota naudojant polimerazinės grandininės reakcijos (angl. polymerase chain reaction, PCR) metodą. Plėšrūnų mitybiniai elementai buvo identifikuojami naudojant mikrohistologinius metodus. Molekulinės analizės būdu ištyrus 83 ekskrementų pavyzdžius nustatyta, kad 36 iš jų priklausė leopardams, 47 – kitiems gyvūnams. Daugiau kaip 82% leopardų raciono sudarė laukiniai gyvūnai, iš kurių didžiausią dalį sudarė Kinijos muntjakai (33,5%). Naminiai gyvūnai sudarė 17% leopardų raciono. Kiti plėšrūnai mito smulkiaisiais žinduoliais, daugiausia graužikais (27%), ir naminiais gyvūnais (19%). Nustatyta, kad leopardų racione naminių gyvūnų dalis buvo šiek tiek mažesnė nei kitų plėšriųjų žinduolių racione. Mūsų rezultatai rodo, kad tirtoje teritorijoje smulkieji plėšrūnai darė ne mažesnę žalą naminiams gyvūnams nei leopardai.

Keywords:

• genetics
• diet
• livestock depredation
• conflict
• micro-histological analysis

Acknowledgments

The project was funded by the Conservation Leaders Memorial Centre of Excellence (MemCoE) at the Institute of Forestry/Tribhuvan University, Nepal, in collaboration with Virginia Tech/Yale University and Principia College (funded by USAID/HED). Our sincere appreciation goes to Mercella Kelly (Virginia Tech, USA), A.L. (Tom) Hammett (Virginia Tech, USA), and Abadhesh Singh (Coordinator MemCoE) for their support during the study period. We thank Centre for Molecular Dynamics, Nepal (CMDN), for genetic work to identify carnivores and to ACA Project (ACAP)/National Trust for Nature Conservation, Pokhara for research permission. We thank IDEA WILD for providing field equipment, Rufford Small Grant Foundation (UK), Massey University Research Fund (New Zealand), and NUFU Project IOF for part of field support, and the Institute of Forestry, Pokhara (Tribhuvan University), Nepal, for lab work and other administrative support during the project period. Finally, we would like to gratefully acknowledge, WWF, EFN (Education for Nature Program) for professional development grant to participate in short courses to enhance knowledge and skills in conservation.