- Although snow leopards cause greater livestock losses than Himalayan wolves, human communities generally show greater tolerance and acceptance toward snow leopards.
- This ‘predator paradox,’ where the more damaging predator is more tolerated, leads to less conservation support for wolves and more for snow leopards.
- “Both snow leopards and wolves are crucial to the Himalayan ecosystem, but conservation has overwhelmingly favored snow leopards. This disparity in attention and resources amplifies the challenges faced by wolves, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to conserve both species effectively,” a new op-ed argues.
- This post is a commentary. The views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily Mongabay.
The Himalayan wolf (Canis lupus chanco) and snow leopard (Panthera uncia) are apex predators in alpine ecosystems. By controlling the numbers of meso-predators and herbivores, these top predators can have cascading effects on plant and animal species at different trophic levels. Their predation activities create intricate trophic interactions that help stabilize food webs and promote a balanced ecosystem. These predators support nutrient cycling by helping scavengers through carrion provisioning and dispersing essential nutrients across the ecosystem. Furthermore, these carnivores attract global tourism, providing local communities with valuable ecotourism opportunities.
These opportunities provide alternative livelihoods for pastoralists and other communities living in these mountainous regions, offering them a sustainable source of income that aligns with conservation goals. As iconic symbols of wildlife conservation, these predators inspire efforts to protect the Himalayan ecosystem, garnering support from local communities and international conservation organizations. Their presence enriches regional biodiversity and highlights the interconnectedness of life forms, emphasizing the importance of preserving the balance of the high-altitude environments.
Perceptions and economic impacts on pastoral communities
Mountain pastoralists in Asia often hold negative views of snow leopards and wolves due to predation on livestock that are essential for their income and food security. For these communities, livestock rearing is not merely a way of life; it is central to their economic survival, providing vital products like meat, milk, and wool. In recent years, shifts toward commercial agriculture have increased the economic value of livestock, making each animal crucial to the household’s financial well-being. For marginalized communities, losing even one animal can severely impact household income. This increases financial vulnerability and heightens tensions with carnivores that threaten livelihoods.
As a result, pastoralists often view these predators as threats to their financial stability. This fosters hostility toward snow leopards and wolves, leading to negative attitudes and behaviors. Such animosity complicates conservation efforts. Coexistence becomes harder when local communities feel their economic interests are at risk. Moreover, fear of losing livestock can lead to retaliatory actions, further endangering the predators.
Across the diverse landscapes of the Asian highlands, pastoralist communities exhibit varying attitudes toward snow leopards and wolves. Although snow leopards cause greater livestock loss, these communities generally show greater tolerance and acceptance toward snow leopards. This illustrates the predator paradox, where the more damaging predator is paradoxically more tolerated.
Disparity between snow leopards and Himalayan wolves
Conservation efforts in the Himalayas primarily concentrate on snow leopards, often overlooking other sympatric carnivores, like wolves. Consequently, programs for population monitoring, habitat preservation, and livestock insurance predominantly benefit snow leopards, leaving wolves with minimal attention or resources. Additionally, key policy documents prioritize snow leopard conservation efforts, neglecting the ecological significance of wolves. This oversight hampers carnivore conservation and fosters resentment toward wolves among local communities. Interestingly, this difference exists despite both snow leopard and Himalayan wolf being globally classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Attitudes toward snow leopards and wolves in the Himalayas are shaped by factors like religion, income, education, culture, and species traits. Snow leopards hold significant cultural and spiritual value, especially in Buddhism. Local folklore elevates snow leopards’ reverence, portraying them as sacred beings linked to spiritual beliefs of the communities. Tales featuring snow leopards highlight their beauty and grace, raising their status among locals. Their elusive and solitary nature makes them seem less threatening. Economic concerns also shape these views, with snow leopards seen as a ‘necessary evil’ due to livestock losses but otherwise valued for their revered status in cultural narratives.
In contrast to the reverence for snow leopards, wolves are widely disliked and feared. This negative perception stems from folklores, where wolves are portrayed as cunning and ruthless predators. These tales shape public perceptions, fostering hostility and fear toward wolves. Wolves’ howls, used for communication and territory establishment, can be perceived as eerie and threatening, generating fear and misunderstanding. Additionally, wolves’ pack-living behavior increases their visibility during daylight hours. This leads to more encounters with humans and livestock, increasing negative interactions and wariness of wolves. The identification of denning sites marked by prey remains near the entrance and scats along the trail, heightens hostility towards wolves.
See related: Return of the wolf to Nepal’s Himalayas may threaten snow leopards
Both snow leopards and wolves are crucial to the Himalayan ecosystem, but conservation has overwhelmingly favored snow leopards. This disparity in attention and resources amplifies the challenges faced by wolves, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to conserve both species effectively.
Toward a holistic approach to carnivore conservation in the Himalayas
Conservation efforts focused exclusively on a single species, like the snow leopard, may seem fancy, but are limited in their effectiveness to safeguarding entire ecosystems. This narrow approach often overlooks the intricate interactions among species, essential for ecological health. The emphasis on a single species neglects the role of biodiversity in enhancing ecosystem resilience and maintaining ecological integrity. Current strategies promote stewardship for snow leopards and their primary prey, but often overlook other sympatric carnivores essential to ecological balance.
A more holistic conservation approach is essential — one that recognizes the roles of all predators in sustaining ecological harmony and addressing interdependencies within the food web. Expanding compensation schemes to cover livestock losses from all carnivores, not just snow leopards, is key toward a broader conservation perspective. Such a shift can help reduce animosity toward all predators, promoting better coexistence between humans and wildlife. By highlighting the ecological importance of carnivores, conservation initiatives can encourage communities to view them as integral parts of the ecosystem, not just as threats.
To ensure long-term sustainability, conservation initiatives in the Himalayas must adopt a holistic strategy that prioritizes education about biodiversity and the interconnectedness of species. Incorporating the needs of all carnivores into conservation frameworks creates a balanced approach that benefits both wildlife and humans. This strategy will enhance ecosystem resilience but also foster appreciation for the role of all predators in maintaining health of the natural world.
Naresh Kusi is a PhD scholar (University of Inland, Norway) studying Himalayan wolves in Nepal and is the program director at the Himalayan Wolves Project.
See related coverage:
New brown bear ‘stronghold’ in Nepal redraws species’ range map
Return of the wolf to Nepal’s Himalayas may threaten snow leopards
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