A5030582804- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Marine animal studies overview
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Agricultural Economics and Practices
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Geographies of human-animal interactions
National Trust for Nature Conservation
2016-2025
University of Antwerp
2024
Wageningen University & Research
2022
Wildlife attacks on humans and economic losses often result in reduced support of local communities for wildlife conservation. Information spatial temporal patterns such the highly affected areas contribute designing implementing effective mitigation measures. We analyzed loss humans, livestock property caused by during 1998 to 2016, using victim family's reports Chitwan National Park authorities Buffer Zone User Committees. A total 4,014 incidents were recorded including depredation, damage...
Abstract Aim Climate change alters the water cycle, potentially affecting distribution of species. Using an ensemble species models (SDMs), we predicted changes in Asian elephant South Asia due to increasing climatic variability under warming climate and human pressures. Location India Nepal. Methods We compiled a comprehensive geodatabase 115 predictor variables, which included climatic, topographic, pressures land use, at resolution 1 km 2 , extensive database on current elephants. For...
Abstract Home range studies provide valuable insights into animal ecology and behavior, informing conservation efforts management strategies. Although the Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a globally threatened habitat specialist species, only few have been conducted on their home social organization, especially in response to human influence. In this study, we tracked 11 fishing cats with satellite GPS collars investigate size use around Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal. The...
Buffer zones around parks/reserves are designed to maintain ecological integrity and ensure community participation in biodiversity conservation. We studied the fund utilization pattern of buffer zone programs, mitigation measures practiced, attitudes residents programs Chitwan National Park, Nepal. The committees spent only a small portion (13.7%) their budget direct interventions reduce wildlife impacts. Human-wildlife conflicts were inversely related investment for conflict prevention...
We investigated the factors facilitating co-occurrence of two large carnivores, tigers (Panthera tigris) and common leopards pardus), within a human-dominated landscape. estimated their density population size using camera-trap photographs examined spatial segregation habitats, temporal activity pattern, diets in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. A Bayesian spatially-explicit capture-recapture model densities 3.2–4.6 (3.94 ± 0.37) 2.6–4.1 (3.31 0.4) per 100 km2 with abundance 70–102 66–105...
Abstract Tigers are globally endangered and continue to decline due poaching, prey depletion habitat loss. In N epal, tiger populations fragmented found mainly in four protected areas ( PAs ). To establish the use of standard methods, assess importance availability human disturbance on presence occupancy both inside outside , we conducted a survey throughout T erai A rc L andscape epal. Our model‐average estimate probability site was 0.366 [standard error se ) = 0.02, 7% increase from naive...
Abstract As part of a census the Indian rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis survey was conducted to measure extent invasion by neotropical plant mikania Mikania micrantha across major habitats Chitwan National Park important for conservation rhinoceros. Previous work has demonstrated that this fire-adapted can smother and kill native flora such as grasses sapling trees, several which are fodder plants Here, additional studies were on risks anthropogenic factors (natural resource collection...
Kashmir musk deer Moschus cupreus (KMD) are the least studied species of deer. We compiled genetically validated occurrence records KMD to construct distribution models using Maximum Entropy. show that is limited between central Nepal on east and north-east Afghanistan west primarily determined by precipitation driest quarter, annual mean temperature, water vapor, during coldest quarter. Precipitation being most influential determinant suggests importance pre-monsoon moisture for growth...
Abstract Attacks on humans by Asian elephant ( Elephas maximus ) is an extreme form of human–elephant conflict. It a serious issue in southern lowland Nepal where elephant‐related human fatalities are higher than other wildlife. Detailed understanding attacks still lacking, hindering to devising appropriate strategies for conflict mitigation. This study documented spatiotemporal pattern humans, factors associated with the attacks, and human/elephant behavior contributing deaths victims when...
From wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Serengeti to tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) Russian Far East, canine distemper virus (CDV) has been repeatedly identified as a threat carnivores. Between 2020 and 2022, six Indian leopards (P. pardus fusca) presented Nepali authorities with fatal neurological disease, consistent CDV. Here, we report findings of serosurvey felids from Nepal. A total 48 serum samples were tested, comprising 28 Bengal t. tigris) 20 leopards. Neutralizing antibodies three...
The main objectives of the Nepal National Mammal Red Data Book (RDB) were to provide comprehensive and up-to-date accounts 212 mammal species recorded in Nepal, assess their status applying IUCN Guidelines at Regional Levels, identify threats recommend most practical measures for conservation. It is hoped that RDB will help achieve Convention on Biological Diversity target preventing extinction known threatened improving conservation status. Of assessed, 49 (23%) listed as nationally...
The source populations of tigers are mostly confined to protected areas, which now becoming isolated. A landscape scale conservation strategy should strive facilitate dispersal and survival dispersing by managing habitat corridors that enable traverse the matrix with minimal conflict. We present evidence for tiger along transboundary areas complexes in Terai Arc Landscape, a priority Nepal India, comparing camera trap data, through population models applied long term data sets. former showed...
Abstract In recent years, reports of elephants causing damage in rural villages by destroying houses and foraging on stored food have been increasing, but little is known about the determinants magnitude this damage. study, we examined extent property ( Loxodonta africana Elephas maximus ), one African two Asian study areas over a six‐year period. A total 1,172 damaged constructions were observed site, involving detailed assessment trained enumerators standardized interviews with witnesses....
Fire is rampant throughout subtropical South and Southeast Asian grasslands. However, very little known about the role of fire pyric herbivory on functioning highly productive monsoon grasslands lying within Cwa climatic region. We assessed temporal effect postfire regrowth quality associated pyric-herbivory in Bardia National Park, Nepal. Every year, are burned as a management intervention park, especially between March May. Within week after fire, at end 2020, we established 60 m × plots...
Abstract We assessed the abundance and distribution of greater one-horned or Indian rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis in all its potential habitats Nepal, using block counts. In April 2011 5,497 km were searched 3,548 elephant-hours over 23 days. The validity count was by comparing it with counts obtained from long-term monitoring photographic identification individual rhinoceroses (ID-based), estimates closed population sighting–mark–resighting 214 2 Chitwan National Park. A total 534 found...
Abstract Information on the abundance of tigers Panthera tigris is essential for effective conservation species. The main aim this study was to determine status in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, including Churia hills, using a camera-trap based mark–recapture estimate. Camera traps (n = 310) were placed an area 1,261 km 2 from 20 January 22 March 2010. divided into three blocks and each block trapped 19–21 days, with total effort 3,582 man-days, 170 elephant-days 4,793 nights. effectively...
We estimated leopard ( Panthera pardus fusca ) abundance and density in the Bhabhar physiographic region Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Nepal. The camera trap grid, covering sampling area of 289 km 2 with 88 locations, accumulated 1,342 nights 64 days winter season 2008-2009 photographed 19 individual leopards. Using models incorporating heterogeneity, we 28 (±SE 6.07) 29.58 10.44) leopards Programs CAPTURE MARK. Density estimates via 1/2 MMDM methods were 5.61 1.30) 5.93 2.15) per 100 using from...
Better conservation planning requires updated information about leopard distribution to prioritize and allocate limited resources available. The long-term persistence of leopards sympatric tigers can be compromised by linear infrastructure development such as roads that fragment habitat. We used detection non-detection data collected along walking search paths (~4140 km) in 96 grid cells (each cell 15 km spread across potential habitat (~13,845 km2) the Terai Arc Landscape, Nepal....
Abstract Forest cover is the primary determinant of elephant distribution, thus, understanding forest loss and fragmentation crucial for conservation. We assessed deforestation patterns between 1930 2020 in Chure Terai Madhesh Lanscape (CTML) which covers entire range Nepal. maps matrices were generated using multi-source data (Topographic Landsat satellite images 1930, 1975, 2000, 2020) spatiotemporal change was quantified. At present, 19,069 km 2 CTML available as habitat Overall, 21.5%...
Human elephant conflict (HEC) is rapidly increasing throughout the Asian range countries including Nepal. HEC occurs in form of human deaths and injuries, crop as well property losses. We compiled 10,798 incidents attacks on humans, losses caused by elephants Chure Terai Madhesh Landscape, Nepal, between January 2001 June 2020. interviewed 10.3% total households affected using structured questionnaire. used multivariate analysis to identify landscape predictors associated with HEC. The...
The fishing cat Prionailurus viverrinus is a medium‐sized wetland specialist felid threatened primarily by habitat loss, human–wildlife conflict, and road mortality. Limited information available on their life history in human‐modified environments. We investigated the dietary habits of cats within human‐dominated landscape southern Nepal to inform conservation strategies that promote co‐existence with local communities. carried out comprehensive analysis scats through microscopic DNA...