Strong link found between habitat use by Snow leopard, Siberian ibex, blue sheep

Key findings of the study-

Following are some of the findings of the new study:

• The study aimed at examining how the predator used habitat in presence or absence of its prey species and vice-versa
• They have found that the snow leopard detection probability was high if the site was used by its prey species, i.e., ibex and blue sheep. 
• Whereas, in the case of the prey species, the probability of detection was low when the predator (snow leopard) was present and detected. 
• Besides this, the study suggested that both species were less likely to detect together than expected.
• The study suggested that habitat covariates, such as barren area, grassland, aspect, slope and distance to water were important drivers of habitat use for the snow leopard as well as its prey species. 
• Spiti Valley possessed a good habitat in and outside the protected areas which could support a viable population of both threatened snow leopard and its prey species.  
• Predators such as snow leopards regulated the populations of herbivores such as the blue sheep and Siberian ibex, thereby safeguarding the health of grasslands and a long-term absence of snow leopards could cause trophic cascades as ungulate populations would likely increase, leading to depletion of vegetation cover. 

Snow Leopard-

• The snow leopard (also called ounce) is found in high mountains in Central Asia.
• In India, it inhabits the higher Himalayan and trans-Himalayan landscape in the states of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
• They use rugged mountainous areas or non-forested areas covering an altitude between 3200m-5200m. 
• Snow leopards are not known to be aggressive toward humans.
• It is the National Heritage Animal of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• Classified as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN  Red list, Appendix I in CITES and listed in Schedule-I species of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.