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By Nathan Lyle | Published October 18, 2016 | Full size is 225 × 300 pixels
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The paradox of balancing conservation efforts for Himalayan wolves and snow leopards![]()
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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.![]()
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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.![]()
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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.
The paradox of balancing conservation efforts for Himalayan wolves and snow leopards (commentary)
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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 casca...
Mystery surrounds gunshot death of Colorado wolf; agencies refusing to answer questions![]()
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Mystery continues to shroud the circumstances of how Colorado's reintroduced wolf 2309 died, prompting wide speculation from the public and many unanswered questions from state and federal wildlife agencies.![]()
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Under a cloak of secrecy with Colorado Parks and Wildlife stating threats of safety to its staff and wolves are a concern at a legislative hearing.![]()
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have released scant information after a necropsy was performed by the federal agency. The result a results only stated "a gunshot wound” initiated the poor condition of the wolf and ultimately led to the cause of death."![]()
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Despite Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials publicly declaring a desire to be more transparent this year regarding its wolf recovery program after a rocky first year of the program, spokespersons with both agencies declined to answer most questions.![]()
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The examination indicated the wolf suffered several injuries to its right hind leg unrelated to the capture. The animal's body condition had deteriorated so much by late August that survival in the wild was unlikely. Staff administered antibiotics to the wolf until his GPS collar gave a mortality signal that the wolf was dead.![]()
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This is a longer story about the dead wolf, who examined, where was the examination Was the injury caused by another wolf. ![]()
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Finish your reading at the link:![]()
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