Conservation of biodiversity: the large mammal community and the structure of bird community of Sagarmatha National Park (Solu Khumbu, Nepal) Vanishing Tracks on the Roof of the World.

Principal investigator: Prof. Sandro Lovari – University of Siena, Department of Environmental Sciences.

This project is aimed at understanding the dynamics of certain key populations in SNP, placing a particular focus on the endangered snow leopard and its main prey species.  In particular, analyses will be carried out on the population dynamics and reproductive biology of the Himalayan tahr and on the food habits, ranging movements and conservation of the snow leopard.  Efforts will also be made to understand patterns of livestock depredation by the snow leopard in the SNP. Communities of SNP birds will also be studied.

Researchers will carry out the following activities:

• Point counts at dawn and playback counts on 3 species
• Study the habitat features (vegetation cover, slope, hydrography, etc.
• Monitor the ear-tagged specimens darted in 2004-2005
• Tag other specimens (25 males and 10 females)
• Carry out monthly counts on: birth rate, death rate and immigration
• Study the climatic effects on population dynamic
• Scat analysis
• Non-invasive genetic analysis for DNA
• Satellite radio-tagging of 2 or 3 snow leopards
• Questionnaire surveys for the local populations