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Journal of Threatened Taxa Building evidence for conservaton globally www.threatenedtaxa.org ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print)

Communication The status of ’s

Rajan Amin, Hem Sagar Baral, Babu Ram Lamichhane, Laxman Prasad Poudyal, Samantha Lee, Shant Raj Jnawali, Krishna Prasad Acharya, Gopal Prasad Upadhyaya, Megh Bahadur Pandey, Rinjan Shrestha, Dipesh Joshi, Janine Griffiths, Ambika Prasad Khatiwada & Naresh Subedi

26 March 2018 | Vol. 10 | No. 3 | Pages: 11361-11378 10.11609/jott.3712.10.3.11361-11378

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Threatened Taxa

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378

The status of Nepal’s mammals Communication Rajan Amin1, Hem Sagar Baral2, Babu Ram Lamichhane3, Laxman Prasad Poudyal4, 5 6 7 8 Samantha Lee , Shant Raj Jnawali , Krishna Prasad Acharya , Gopal Prasad Upadhyaya , ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) Megh Bahadur Pandey9, Rinjan Shrestha10, Dipesh Joshi11, Janine Grifths12, ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) Ambika Prasad Khatwada13 & Naresh Subedi14 OPEN ACCESS 1 Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, UK 2 Zoological Society of London - Nepal Ofce, PO Box 5867, Kathmandu Nepal and School of Environmental Sciences, Charles Sturt University, PO Box 789, Albury, NSW 2640, 3 Natonal Trust for Nature Conservaton (NTNC), POB 3712, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal 4 Department of Natonal Parks and Wildlife Conservaton, PO Box 860, Kathmandu, Nepal 5 RSPB, Unit 1 Brantham Mill Industrial Estate, Bergholt Road, Manningtree, Essex. CO11 1QT, UK 6,11 WWF Nepal, Baluwatar Kathmandu, Nepal 7 Department of , Babarmahal, Kathmandu, Nepal 8,9 Department of Natonal Parks and Wildlife Conservaton, PO Box 860, Kathmandu, Nepal 10 World Wildlife Fund Canada, 410 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1S8, Canada 12 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, , Richmond, TW9 3AE, UK 13,14 Natonal Trust for Nature Conservaton (NTNC), POB 3712, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal 1 [email protected] (corresponding author), 2 [email protected], 3 [email protected], 4 [email protected], 5 [email protected], 6 [email protected], 7 [email protected], 8 upadhyay.gopal@gmail. com, 9 [email protected], 10 [email protected], 11 [email protected], 12 [email protected], 13 [email protected], 14 [email protected]

Abstract: The main objectves of the Nepal Natonal Red Data Book (RDB) were to provide comprehensive and up-to-date accounts of 212 mammal recorded in Nepal, assess their status applying the IUCN Guidelines at Regional Levels, identfy threats and recommend the most practcal measures for their conservaton. It is hoped that the Mammal RDB will help Nepal achieve the Conventon on Biological Diversity target of preventng the extncton of known threatened species and improving their conservaton status. Of the 212 mammal species assessed, 49 species (23%) were listed as natonally threatened. These comprise nine (18%) Critcally Endangered species, 26 (53%) Endangered species and 14 (29%) Vulnerable species. One species was considered regionally Extnct. A total of seven species (3%) were considered Near Threatened and 83 species (39%) were Data Defcient. Over sixty percent of Nepal’s ungulates are threatened and almost half of Nepal’s carnivores face extncton (45% threatened). and small mammals are the least known groups with 60 species being Data Defcient. Habitat loss, degradaton and fragmentaton are the most signifcant threats. Other signifcant threats include illegal huntng, small and fragmented populatons, reducton of prey base, human wildlife confict and persecuton, climate change, invasive species, disease and inadequate knowledge and research. Adequate measures to address these threats are described. It was also concluded that re-assessments of the status of certain mammal groups be carried out every fve years and the setng up of a natonal online species database and mapping system would also greatly help in land-use planning and policies.

Keywords: Biodiversity, conservaton, mammals, Nepal, Red List, threatened species.

DOI: htp://doi.org/10.11609/jot.3712.10.3.11361-11378

Editor: Sanjay Molur, ZOO/WILD, Coimbatore, . Date of publicaton: 26 March 2018 (online & print)

Manuscript details: Ms # 3712 | Received 02 August 2017 | Final received 11 December 2017 | Finally accepted 06 February 2018

Citaton: Amin, R., H. S. Baral, B.R. Lamichhane, L.P. Poudyal, S. Lee, S.R. Jnawali, K.P. Acharya, G.P. Upadhyaya, M.B. Pandey, R. Shrestha, D. Joshi, J. Grifths, A.P. Khatwada & N. Subedi (2018). The status of Nepal’s mammals. Journal of Threatened Taxa 10(3): 11361–11378; htp://doi.org/10.11609/jot.3712.10.3.11361-11378

Copyright: © Amin et al. 2018. Creatve Commons Atributon 4.0 Internatonal License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this artcle in any medium, reproducton and distributon by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publicaton.

Funding: Zoological Society of London.

Competng interests: The authors declare no competng interests.

For Author Details, Author Contributon and Acknowledgements see end of this artcle.

11361 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al.

INTRODUCTION geographical positon in the central , in a region of overlap between the Palearctc realm to the north and The IUCN Red List is the World’s most authoritatve the Oriental (Indomalayan) realm to the south. Although and objectve inventory of the global status of plant it occupies only 0.1% of the world’s total landmass, Nepal and species. It, however, is not always possible is home to 3.2% and 1.1% of the world’s known fora to integrate this informaton at the global scale into and fauna, respectvely (MoFSc 2014), including around conservaton planning and priority-setng at natonal 4.2% of the world’s known mammal species (Jnawali et level, where most conservaton policies are implemented. al. 2011). Natonal Red listng was introduced to resolve this issue A large proporton (>23%) of the country’s landmass (Gärdenfors et al. 2001) and guidelines for assessments at is designated as protected areas, with 12 natonal the natonal or regional level were published (IUCN 2003). parks, one wildlife reserve, one huntng reserve and six Natonal Red Lists can gauge the extncton risk faced by conservaton areas (Fig. 1). Between 2002 and 2013 eight natve species, provide informaton about the rate of areas were declared as protected forests (1,337km2); eight change of a naton’s biodiversity over tme, and help in additonal areas (6,701km2) have been proposed by the the development of efectve conservaton policies and Government of Nepal because of their high biodiversity, acton plans based on robust and well established criteria. wildlife habitats and corridors (DoF 2015). In additon, The approach can also provide an excellent basis for 37 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been identfed (BCN measuring a country’s progress towards achieving one of and DNPWC in prep.). the Conventon on Biological Diversity (CBD) targets “By 2020 the extncton of known threatened species has been Nepal Mammal Red Data Book prevented and their conservaton status, partcularly of In October 2009, a team consistng of Nepalis and two those most in decline, has been improved and sustained”. Britsh scientsts embarked on a project to compile the In a relatvely small area of 147,181km2, Nepal Nepal Mammal Red Data Book (Jnawali et al. 2011), which harbours an extraordinary variety of landscapes, was completed in March 2012. This Red List is the frst habitats, wildlife and cultures. Its diverse physiographic comprehensive status assessment of all Nepal’s mammal features range from the Arctc high Himalayan peaks species using the IUCN Categories and Criteria (IUCN (the highest terrestrial ecosystem in the world), to the 2003). The results from this assessment are presented tropical lowlands of the . Also important is Nepal’s here.

Figure 1. Protected areas of Nepal

11362 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al.

MATERIALS AND METHODS A further seven species (3%) were considered Near Threatened, meaning they are likely to be threatened The Nepal Natonal Red List work was initated in the near future if current levels of threat contnue. with the setng up of a Natonal Red List project Eighty-three species (39%) were classifed Data Defcient. steering commitee which included members of the Four of the species were found afer the Natonal Red Government of Nepal - Ministry of Forests and Soil List book was published (2012) and are listed as Data Conservaton, Natonal Trust for Nature Conservaton Defcient. These are Rusty-spoted Cat and WWF-Nepal. Initally, a desk study of published rubiginosus, Pallas’s Cat Otocolobus manul, and unpublished literature was undertaken to compile Polecat Mustela eversmanii and Ruddy a comprehensive bibliography of references. Using this smithii (Chetri et al. 2014; Shrestha et al. bibliography, a taxonomic list of mammals of Nepal was 2014; Subba et al. 2014; Lamichhane et al. 2016). prepared following the internatonal rules of zoological Ungulates (28 species) are the most threatened nomenclature. Detailed draf reports for each species group of mammals in Nepal with 17 species (61%) on the annotated with relevant references were then compiled threatened list. This includes fve Critcally Endangered in an IUCN Species Informaton Service Database for species ( Antlope cervicapra, River Regional Red Lists. This database was used as the Dolphin Platanista gangetca, Indian reference source to assess the threat status of all the indica, Tibetan pictcaudata mammal species using the IUCN categories and criteria and Wild mutus) and six Endangered species (IUCN 2003). (Alpine Moschus chrysogaster, Asian During the assessment process, two natonal Elephant Elephas maximus, Greater One-horned Rhino Red List workshops were held. The frst workshop in Rhinoceros unicornis, Hog Deer Axis porcinus, Swamp Chitwan Natonal Park, in January 2010 (three days), Deer duvaucelii and Water Bufalo was specifcally aimed at feld managers and technicians arnee). who helped to check and fll in informaton gaps in the A further two species (7%) are Near Threatened (Fig. species accounts. Inital species status assessments 2). In additon to the , the Indian Spoted were also undertaken. Updated species reports were Chevrotain Moschiola indica may also be regionally then circulated for further input prior to the second extnct as there have been no reports of this species workshop in Kathmandu, in April 2010. During the from Nepal since the 1970s. Only two species (7%) of second workshop (two days), the conservaton status ungulates were considered Least Concern and six species of all the mammal species were reviewed and fnal (21%) Data Defcient (Fig. 2). conservaton assessments were applied with main Almost half of Nepal’s carnivores (47 species) are threats and recommendatons for each species. Each facing extncton (19 species) or will do so in the near workshop was atended by over 40 mammal experts. future (2 species) (Fig. 3). The threatened species include two Critcally Endangered species (Grey Wolf lupus and Brown arctos) and RESULTS 12 Endangered species ( Ailurus fulgens, Cuon alpinus, Striped Hyaena Hyaena hyaena, Following the internatonal rules of zoological Smooth-coated Oter perspicillata, Honey nomenclature, a total of 212 mammal species including Mellivora capensis, Melursus ursinus, two endemic species (Himalayan Field Mouse Clouded nebulosa, Royal gurkha and Csorba’s Mouse-eared Myots Myots tgris, Panthera uncia, Fishing csorbai) has been recorded in Nepal. Twenty-nine of Cat Prionailurus viverrinus, Spoted Linsang Prionodon Nepal’s mammal species are globally threatened and pardicolor and Himalayan Black Bear Ursus thibetanus). 17 species are globally Near Threatened (IUCN 2015, Ten species (21%) were considered Least Concern and Appendix 1). sixteen species (34%) were classifed as Data Defcient. In contrast, 49 (23%) species were assessed as (5 species) are currently considered the natonally threatened. The natonally threatened species least threatened group of mammals in Nepal with only comprise nine (18%) Critcally Endangered species, 26 the Macaque Macaca assamensis assessed (53%) Endangered species, and 14 (29%) Vulnerable to be the threatened (Vulnerable). Himalayan Grey species (Appendix 1). One species (Pygmy Hog Porcula Langur Semnopithecus ajax has been included based salvania) was considered regionally Extnct. on observatons by Brandon-Jones (2004) but requires

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 11363 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al. (%, n=47)

Figure 2. Status of ungulates in Nepal Figure 3. Status of carnivores in Nepal (%, n=79)

Figure 4. Status of bats in Nepal Figure 5. Status of small mammals in Nepal

concrete evidence (IUCN 2015). DISCUSSION A quarter of Nepal mammals are bats (53 species) and more species can be expected as they have been Threats to Nepal’s mammals largely neglected in terms of research untl recent years. Whilst Nepal is rich in biodiversity, it is one of the This is also refected in the Red List assessment with least developed countries in the world, ranked in the 21 species (40%) listed as Data Defcient. Five species low human development category, positoned at 145 (9%) are considered threatened including the Critcally out of 187 countries and territories in 2014 (United Endangered Csorba’s Mouse-eared Myots Myots Natons Development Programme, UNDP 2014). The csorbai and the Great Evening la io, and further country’s rapidly increasing human populaton is putng three species (6%) considered Near Threatened (Fig. 4). huge pressure on natural resources and wildlife with Although small mammals make up over a third shortages of water and electricity; even meetng basic of all mammal species in Nepal (79 species), it is the human needs is a struggle. The main threats to Nepal’s most underrepresented group in terms of available mammals include: informaton and research (Fig. 5). About half the small mammal species are considered Data Defcient (39 Habitat loss, degradaton and fragmentaton species, 49%). Thirty-three species (42%) are listed Habitat loss, degradaton and fragmentaton are the as Least Concern and seven species (9%) considered most important threats to Nepal’s mammals (Appendix Endangered (Black Giant Ratufa bicolour, 2). These include loss of forests, and Himalayan Field Mouse Apodemus gurkha, Himalayan wetlands due to the encroachment of setlements and Pika Ochotona himalayana, Himalayan Water especially due to agriculture and unsustainable resource Chimarrogale himalayica, Hispid Hare Caprolagus extracton, such as logging for local and commercial hispidus, Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata and use and sand and gravel mining of river beds. Extreme Chinese Pangolin Manis pentadactyla). natural and climatc events such as foods, earthquakes

11364 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al. and landslides also cause habitat loss and degradaton. the over-use of pestcides and other chemicals in the Fragmentaton of habitats is partcularly afectng country and evidence of failing to adhere to government many wide ranging species such as the Royal Bengal regulatons has been well documented (e.g., Palikhe Tiger, Asian Elephant and Snow Leopard. The lowland 2005; Nepal Forum for Justce 2006). The Critcally region of Terai has experienced signifcant Endangered Ganges River Dolphin Platanista gangetca habitat loss and fragmentaton. Eradicaton of malaria gangetca is now restricted to very few river systems and in the mid-1950s resulted in large scale setlements in these systems contnue to be threatened. These are also the Terai and today almost half of Nepal’s populaton important habitats for many other species including the resides here in an area representng only 14 percent of fshing cat Prionailurus viverrinus and oters. the total area of the country (CBS 2009; Grimmet et al. 2009; Pant 2010). Outside protected areas there are no and illegal trade signifcant remaining grassland areas that are capable Poaching remains a signifcant threat to many species. of supportng lowland grassland species (Jnawali et al. Even within protected areas, contnue to be 2011). illegally hunted for commercial or subsistence purposes. Forests and grasslands are being degraded by The Greater One-horned Rhino, Royal Bengal Tiger, overgrazing and excessive burning, and removal of Alpine and Indian and Chinese Pangolins are undergrowth to provide fodder for livestock. The Pygmy some of the most seriously afected species, illegally Hog is now considered Regionally Extnct mainly due hunted for commercial trade in their body parts and to indiscriminate burning of grasslands and habitat used for medicinal purposes and cosmetcs. Many loss. Similarly, Hispid Hare Caprolagus hispidus has species illegally hunted for subsistence go unrecorded. experienced dramatc declines and is now considered Endangered. Reducton in prey base One quarter of Nepal’s area is heavily A large number of ungulate species are now degraded (World Bank 2008). The deforestaton of considered threatened in Nepal. Many of these primary forests and lack of planned regeneraton are species consttute the main prey base for a number of reducing the amount of suitable habitat available to carnivores, and for large predators such as the Royal many bat species, which are also sufering from a lack of Bengal Tiger, prey depleton is considered a major factor protecton of roostng sites. in their decline (Karanth & Stth 1999). Lowland grasslands in protected areas are sufering from inappropriate grassland management including Human-wildlife confict and persecuton intensive annual cutng and burning, and also ploughing, Human-wildlife confict ofen occurs as a result of crop which alter species compositon (Baral 2001; Jnawali et raiding, predaton on livestock and damage to property al. 2011). Over-grazing by domestc livestock, fodder due to the increasingly close proximity of people and collecton and human disturbance are also degrading wildlife and with increasing habitat degradaton and grasslands. declining prey numbers. This situaton is escalated The spread of invasive plant species is making it very ofen by human fear and frequently results in the injury difcult for some mammal species to feed. One rapidly or fatality on both sides. The Asian Elephant, Leopard spreading invasive is Mikania Mikania micrantha which Panthera pardus, Greater One-horned Rhino, Royal is blanketng Terai foodplain vegetaton (Murphy et al. Bengal Tiger and are most commonly involved 2013). For example over forty percent of the Greater in atacks on people (Acharya et al. 2016). Methods to One-horned Rhino Rhinoceros unicornis habitat is discourage wildlife from invading human occupied areas afected by Mikania in Chitwan Natonal Park which has ofen include non-discriminatve and fatal measures, over 90 percent of Nepal’s rhinos. such as poisoned bait and electrocuton. Some species are unduly persecuted due to Chemical poisoning traditonal beliefs and a lack of awareness. Negatve Water polluton from households and industrial attudes towards bats based on myth and folklore discharges and agricultural run-of is seriously degrading result in persecuton, despite their great importance lowland wetlands. Difused polluton from fertlizers for pollinaton, seed dispersal, and pest and disease has led to over-enrichment in many wetlands in the control. Small mammals are considered pests and lowlands. While the efect of water-borne polluton on transmiters of disease. As such, the negatve attude wildlife and the environment in Nepal is poorly known, and associaton of unhygienic conditons towards

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 11365 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al. and small mammals ofen results in non-species notably grassland mammals. As the climate changes, specifc persecuton, commonly using poisoning. habitats, partcularly foodplain grasslands, in these protected areas may eventually become no longer Disturbance suitable for these mammals. Furthermore, as natural The gathering of Non-Timber Forest Products habitats outside protected areas have been converted to (NTFPs), including the highly valuable Yarsagumba agriculture or developed areas, the grassland mammals Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Medicinal and Aromatc will have no suitable habitat to colonise (Adhikari 1999; Plants (MAPs), by infuxes of large numbers of people Jnawali & Wegge 1999). annually, is afectng many high-alttude areas. This is Many forest mammals, including a high proporton leading to high levels of disturbance to mammals and of threatened forest species, depend on moist forests other wildlife, including poaching, and forest losses and and are likely to lose their habitat if the climate becomes degradaton due to fuel wood collecton (Jnawali et drier. High alpine areas are also likely to be signifcantly al. 2011; BCN and DNPWC in prep.). Disturbance is a afected by climate change with resultng consequences widespread threat to bat populatons, especially around to high alttude species such as the Snow Leopard and roostng sites. its prey species.

Disease Linear structures and hydropower The threat of disease to wildlife in Nepal is largely Recently, development of many linear structures has un-quantfed for many species. But due to the close come up as a priority natonal agenda for the country. associaton, dietary and habitat overlap of many wild Such structures include highways and railroads, high and domestc species, the risk of transmission of voltage electric lines, canals as well as some larger diseases such as tuberculosis, mange, foot-and-mouth airports. Such linear structures act as obstacles for disease and rabies is ever increasing. Widespread migraton of many animals, especially mammals; and prevalence of tuberculosis in captve Asian Elephants also signifcantly increase mortality while crossing these (ca. 25% of populaton) of Nepal was detected in the barriers. past decade. Segregaton and treatment of the infected Nepal’s high annual precipitaton and dense river individuals have reduced tuberculosis prevalence in networks provide high potental for hydroelectricity captve populatons but stll remains a threat as it resultng in a signifcant increase in hydropower plants could easily pass to wild populatons which would be in recent years. Dams can inundate important habitats, catastrophic. Rapid decline in vulture populatons is lead to associated development, displace people into leading to a situaton where large number of and new sensitve habitats, and can alter local habitats. other scavengers congregate to feed on the carcasses increasing the possibilites of rapid disease transmission Intensifcaton of agriculture among themselves and ultmately transmitng it to wild In recent years, agriculture has been intensifed species such as Dhole, Lynx lynx and in many areas, especially in the Terai. This has led to Canis aureus. a loss of uncultvated feld corners and edges which ofen supported bushes and herbaceous vegetaton. Small and/or fragmented populatons Trees have been lost from feld boundaries. All these Fragmented, small and isolated populatons are microhabitats form valuable feeding and breeding sites at greater risk from demographic and environment for small mammals. stochastcity (Purvis et al. 2000). Species with small populatons, such as the Blackbuck Antlope cervicapra Limited conservaton measures, and inadequate and Ganges River Dolphin may also sufer from loss of knowledge and research heterozygozity and inbreeding depression. Forty percent of Nepal’s mammals are considered Data Defcient. This situaton is especially acute for small Climate change mammals and bats of which 49% and 40% respectvely The impacts of climate change on Nepal’s mammals are lacking in even baseline data on their populaton size, are poorly understood. Some species will be able to distributon and ecology. Without this informaton, it is migrate through fragmented landscapes whilst others difcult to develop efectve conservaton programmes may not be able to do so. Some of Nepal’s threatened for these species or groups and to assess their risk of mammals are largely confned to the protected areas, extncton.

11366 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al.

Nepal’s natonal policy and research priorites are management, protecton of most forest areas has been ambitous, but targets have not been met due to lack extremely successful and regeneraton of lost cover has of funding and support in already poorly resourced been phenomenal. Communites throughout Nepal government departments. Since the early years of have demonstrated that they can efectvely protect its establishment, the Department of Natonal Parks and sustainably use the forests under their care. The and Wildlife Conservaton (DNPWC) has been under- community forestry programs should therefore be resourced in terms of fnances and trained manpower, so extended and strengthened, giving priority to biodiversity crippling its efectve conservaton work in the country. conservaton in additon to the forest products (MoFSC Despite the many conservaton awareness 2014). Another target is to promote mixed forests of programmes on mammal conservaton that have taken natve plant species in community managed forests place in the country, especially in recent years, there (MoFSC 2014). is stll an urgent need for the contnuaton of such Regulatng NTFP and MAP harvestng with efectve programmes with innovatve ideas to put across the management plans would reduce pressure on forests, conservaton message and more widely throughout which annually results from the infux of huge numbers Nepal. of people to harvest these products. This will also Mammal research and conservaton are heavily reduce disturbance to mammals and other wildlife biased in Nepal because overseas conservaton agencies, (MoFSC 2014). which have very largely funded this work, are interested The efectve implementaton of Nepal’s Natonal mainly in the globally prioritsed large charismatc fauna Wetland Policy is urgently needed. This policy aims while species that are only natonally threatened or data to put people at the center of conservaton and defcient have been very largely unstudied. natural resource management. While all communites The main threats to Nepal’s threatened mammal beneft from wetlands, about 17% of the populatons species are summarised in Appendices 3 and 4. from 21 ethnic communites have traditonally based their livelihoods on wetlands. These are some of the most marginalised and poorest people in Nepal. The CONSERVATION RECOMMENDATIONS conservaton and restoraton of wetlands will beneft many wildlife species which directly or indirectly depend Minimizing habitat losses, degradaton and on these wetlands. fragmentaton The partcipaton by user groups and community- There is enormous potental for improved based organizatons in collaboratve management of management of existng low density and depleted wetland resources, as advocated in Nepal’s Wetland forests. The 2014–2020 Natonal Biodiversity Strategy Policy, will be key to achieving sustainable resource and Acton Plan includes a target of a signifcant use. These measures should help to prevent over- reducton (by at least 75% of the current rate) in the exploitaton including over-fshing, the use of poisons to loss and degradaton of forest. Another valuable target kill fsh, over-grazing and excessive grass cutng along is the promoton of alternatve energy sources (such watercourses. as biogas, solar energy, and hydropower) and fuel- Regulatng sand and gravel mining of rivers is efcient technologies (such as bio-briquetes, improved urgently needed. MoFSC (2014) includes a target for stoves) to reduce demand of frewood (MoFSC 2014). the development and implementaton, by 2015, of an Other important targets include the development and efectve mechanism to control mining of gravel and sand implementaton of plans to reduce occurrence of forest from rivers and streams. Areas suitable for sand mining fres and overgrazing; reclaiming at least 10,000ha of and quarrying should be identfed and designated and encroached forestland through efectve implementaton mining banned in the conservaton areas. of the Forest Encroachment Control Strategy (2012) and Reducing polluton of wetlands is very important, the establishment of protected forests where necessary especially in the rivers of Chitwan Natonal Park, which and feasible (MoFSC 2014). The provision of more are partcularly afected. Enforcement of the Industrial resources to park and forestry feld staf should help Policy (2011) should help reduce water polluton. improve their monitoring of forest exploitaton. MoFSC (2014) states that plans should be developed Degraded forests with on-going people pressure and implemented to control industrial polluton in fve can be handed over to the community for management major rivers and fve major wetlands, by 2020. MoFSC through the District Forest Ofce. Under community (2014) also includes a target to control encroachment

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 11367 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al. and eutrophicaton in at least ten major wetlands and Corridors to connect fragmented habitats such restore at least fve major degraded wetlands by 2020. as isolated grasslands and forest patches should be Strict enforcement of Nepal’s already existng restored, and land use planning and policies should be pestcide regulatons would greatly reduce the threat improved to ensure these areas are conserved. from pestcides to people, wildlife and the environment. Urgent acton is needed to control the spread of The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach was invasive alien plant species such as Mikania micrantha. emphasized in Nepal’s Natonal Agricultural Perspectve MoFSC (2014) includes a target for naton-wide survey Plan to try and reduce pestcide use. An increase in and research on the control of at least fve most training of IPM use is badly needed. The use of efectve problematc invasive alien plant species by 2020, microorganisms (EM) technology should be encouraged although no specifc species have been suggested. The by running training camps for farmers in the bufer zones development and implementaton of a natonal invasive of lowland protected areas. Using EM technology, a plant species control plan should be a priority. combinaton of various benefcial organisms is formed, Environmental Impact Assessments should be that is helpful for plant growth, actng as a fertliser. The ensured with compulsory input from biodiversity combinaton of organisms can also act as a bio-pestcide. experts on development projects, including hydropower Efectve grassland management is vital for dams and infrastructure such as road constructon, biodiversity conservaton; grassland small mammals power lines and bridges. The long term impacts of large are ofen highly sensitve to changes in habitat quality scale development projects, such as hydropower dams and the microenvironment around them (Adhikari and the proposed east-west railway network and postal 1999). People are allowed into Terai protected areas for road, on mammals and other wildlife need to be studied. three to ten days annually to cut grass, at which tme Some of these projects would be highly detrimental to the grasslands are also burned; in the case of Chitwan wildlife. Therefore, before embarking on any large this involves an infux of many thousands of people infrastructure projects, consultaton should be made (Peet et al. 1999). Management should therefore aim with biodiversity experts. to maintain areas of intact grassland that are not cut or burnt, on a rotatonal basis, whilst allowing other areas Reducing poaching and persecuton to be harvested by local people (Peet 1997; Peet et al. Integrated law enforcement eforts by the security 1999). Burning by management should also be carried forces, park authorites, conservaton partners, and out during the early part of the dry season to minimize local communites have been very efectve in Nepal to loss of breeding animals (Peet et al. 1999). Saplings of control poaching and illegal wildlife trade (Lamichhane various trees and bushes should be removed periodically et al. 2017). Such eforts should be further strengthened from grasslands to prevent succession to shrubland and scaled up outside protected areas. and eventually forest. Ploughing has been found to be More conservaton awareness programs should be counterproductve and should be avoided (Peet 1997; launched, especially in bufer zones of protected areas. Baral 2001). In additon to beter management of existng Conservaton awareness actvites should be targeted at grasslands, the expansion and conservaton of new schools, colleges, community groups, farmers, protected grassland areas are recommended (Baral 2001; Jnawali area army staf, religious and politcal leaders using et al. 2011) and degraded grasslands should be restored. electronic and print media, radio and TV programs, Livestock grazing should be stopped in protected areas social media, street dramas, talks and presentatons, by improving law enforcement. Livestock management wildlife fair / festvals, media campaigns, celebrites, practces should be improved, for example by including sports icons and documentaries. It is important that stall feeding. Grazing pastures outside protected areas conservaton messages are relevant and efectve. should be identfed, promoted and managed. Nature clubs should be established in schools and within More community-managed grasslands should be communites and wildlife watching actvites carried out set up in lowland Nepal (Jnawali et al. 2011). This is regularly for school children. Awards and recogniton of already happening in Chitwan Natonal Park bufer local achievements should be established. A Natonal zone in Nawalparasi District, where a community- Mammal Day could be introduced; each district could managed grassland is working along similar lines to that adopt its own mammal species to celebrate. of community forestry and fulflls the needs of local village people for catle fodder and thatch grasses (Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary pers. comm.).

11368 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al.

Resolving human-wildlife confict and enforcement of existng laws for the protecton of Much of the atempts to resolve conficts have wildlife. focussed around protected areas. Some of the more Re-assessments of the status of certain mammal successful strategies include the deployment of electric groups, for example lowland grassland mammals fences, building predator-proof corrals, constructon of using camera-trap survey data, carried out every fve trenches and plantng of crops that are unpalatable to years would be useful. An online species database and wildlife. At the natonal level, however, there is minimal mapping system would also greatly help in land-use infrastructure and support to address some of these planning and policies. issues. For example, common Leopard atacks on livestock and sometmes humans is widespread across the mid-hill region of Nepal, but district forest ofces REFERENCES have no insttutonal capacity to respond (e.g., capturing Acharya, K.P., P.K. Paudel, P.R. Neupane & M. Köhl (2016). Human- , engaging in conservaton planning and wildlife conficts in Nepal: paterns of human fatalites and injuries monitoring animals). The same is true for dealing with caused by large mammals. PLoS ONE 11(9): e0161717; htp://doi. conficts with elephants in lowland Nepal. Therefore, org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161717 Adhikari, T. R. (1999). Grassland management impacts on small there is an urgent need to build the insttutonal capacity mammals, pp. 92–97 In: Richard, C., K. Basnet, J. P. Sah, & Y. Raut to address conficts as part of the framework of overall (eds.). Grassland Ecology and Management in Protected Areas of Nepal. Vol 2: Technical and Status Papers on Grasslands of Terai conservaton planning (Acharya et al. 2016). Protected Areas. Baral, H.S. (2001). Community structure and habitat associatons Improvements in mammal conservaton measures and of lowland grassland birds in Nepal. PhD thesis. University of Amsterdam. in mammal research Bird Conservaton Nepal & Department of Natonal Parks and Wildlife Conservaton projects should support livelihood of Conservaton (in prep.). Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas of local communites to ensure their actve partcipaton. Nepal. Bird Conservaton Nepal and Department of Natonal Parks and Wildlife Conservaton, Kathmandu. More conservaton engagement programs are urgently CBS (2009). Central bureau of statstcs. Available at: htp://www.cbs. needed. Capacity building of local communites including gov.np/stats_2009_content.html. wildlife monitoring is important. The programs should Chetri, M., M. Odden, T. McCarthy & P. Wegge (2014). First record of Steppe Polecat Mustela eversmanii in Nepal. Small Carnivore also aim to improve understanding of the global and Conservaton 51: 79–81. natonal importance of Nepal’s conservaton areas Department of Forest, DoF (2015). Protected Forest Program notce amongst government and civil society. updated on 12 February 2015. Gärdenfors, U., C. Hilton‐Taylor, G.M. Mace & J.P. Rodríguez Conservaton strategies for threatened groups (2001). The applicaton of IUCN Red List criteria at regional levels. of mammal species (besides fagship species) based Conservaton Biology 15(5): 1206–1212. on appropriate baseline data should be developed Grimmet, R., C. Inskipp & T. Inskipp (2009). Birds of Nepal. Om Books Internatonal. New Delhi. and implemented. Key research projects need to be IUCN (2003). Guidelines for Applicaton of IUCN Red List Criteria at identfed, especially on natonally threatened species Regional Levels: Version 3.0. IUCN Species Survival Commission. IUCN, Gland and Cambridge. and data defcient species. Collaboraton between IUCN (2015). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015-1. universites and NGOs needs to be developed. An Jnawali, S.R., H.S. Baral, S. Lee, K.P. Acharya, G.P. Upadhyay, M. annual funding program should be established with Pandey, R. Shrestha, D. Joshi, B.R. Laminchhane, J. Grifths, A.P. Khatwada, N. Subedi & R. Amin (compilers) (2011). The Status a commitee set up to review proposals and monitor of Nepal Mammals. The Natonal Red List Series, Department of research projects, also enabling development of wildlife Natonal Parks and Wildlife Conservaton, Kathmandu, Nepal. research capacity. Jnawali, S. R. & P. Wegge (1999). Importance of tall grasslands in megaherbivore conservaton, pp. 84–91. In: Richard, C., K. Basnet, Protected areas’ staf and the Nepal Army working J.P. Sah & Y. Raut (eds.). Grassland Ecology and Management in in the protected areas should be trained in the various Protected Areas of Nepal. Vol 2: Technical and Status Papers on aspects of wildlife conservaton. Protected areas’ Grasslands of Terai Protected Areas. Karanth, K.U. & B.M. Stth (1999). Prey depleton as a critcal staf should also be provided with adequate resources determinant of tger populaton viability. Riding The Tiger: Tiger including feld equipment such as binoculars and feld Conservaton in human-dominated landscapes. Available at: htp:// guides and training so they can carry out periodic wildlife www.savethetigerfund.org/Content/NavigationMenu2/Learn/ LessonsinConservaton/RidingTheTigerBook/default.htm;100–114pp monitoring in the protected areas. Lamichhane, B.R., R. Kadariya, N. Subedi, B.K. Dhakal, M. Dhakal, K. The Government should establish strong networking Thapa & K.P. Acharya (2016). Rusty-spoted Cat: 12th cat species discovered in Western Terai of Nepal. Cat News 60: 24–25. between natonal and local NGOs and agencies; annual Lamichhane, B.R., C.B. Pokheral, S. Poudel, D. Adhikari, S.R. Giri, S. natonal meetngs should be held with representatves Bhatarai, T.R. Bhata, R. Pickles, R. Amin, K.P. Acharya, M. Dhakal, from relevant organizatons ensuring implementaton U.R. Regmi, A.K. Ram & N. Subedi (2017). Immigraton-driven rapid

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 11369 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al.

Appendix 1. Natonal and global status of Nepal’s mammals [Regionally Extrpated (RE), Critcally Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near Threatened (NT), Least Concern (LC), Data Defcient (DD)].

Scientfc Name Common Name Natonal Status Global status

Order:

1 Ailurus fulgens Red Panda EN EN

2 cinerea Asian Small-clawed Oter DD VU

3 Arctcts Binturong DD VU

4 Arctonyx collaris DD VU

5 Canis aureus Golden Jackal LC LC

6 Canis lupus Grey Wolf CR LC

7 Cuon alpinus Dhole EN EN

8 chaus Jungle Cat LC LC

9 Herpestes edwardsii Indian Grey Mongoose LC LC

10 Herpestes javanicus Small Asian Mongoose LC LC

11 Herpestes Smithii Ruddy Mongoose DD LC

12 Herpestes urva Crab-eatng Mongoose VU LC

13 Hyaena hyaena Striped Hyaena EN NT

14 lutra Eurasian Oter NT NT

15 Lutrogale perspicillata Smooth-coated Oter EN VU

16 Lynx lynx Lynx VU VU

17 Martes favigula Yellow-throated LC LC

18 Martes foina Stone Marten/Beech Marten LC LC

19 Mellivora capensis EN LC

20 Melogale personata Large-toothed Badger DD LC

21 Melursus ursinus Sloth Bear EN VU

22 Mustela altaica Altai DD NT

23 Mustela erminea Ermine/Stoat DD LC

24 Mustela eversmanii Steppe Pole-cat DD LC

25 Mustela kathiah Yellow-bellied Weasel DD LC

26 Mustela sibirica Siberian Weasel LC LC

27 Mustela strigidorsa Stripe-backed Weasel DD LC

28 Neofelis nebulosa Clouded Leopard EN VU

29 Otocolobus manul Palla's cat DD NT

30 Paguma larvata LC LC

31 Panthera pardus Common Leopard VU VU

32 Panthera tgris Royal Bengal Tiger EN EN

33 Panthera uncia Snow Leopard EN EN

34 hermaphroditus Common Palm Civet LC LC

35 marmorata Marbled Cat DD NT

36 Pardofelis temminckii Asiatc Golden Cat DD NT

37 Prionailurus bengalensis Leopard Cat VU LC

38 Prionailurus rubiginosus Rusty-spoted Cat DD NT

39 Prionailurus viverrinus Fishing Cat EN VU

40 Prionodon pardicolor Spoted Linsang EN LC

41 Ursus arctos CR LC

42 Ursus thibetanus Himalayan Black Bear EN VU

43 zibetha Large Indian Civet NT LC

11370 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al.

Scientfc Name Common Name Natonal Status Global status

44 Viverricula indica LC LC

45 bengalensis Bengal VU LC

46 Vulpes ferrilata Tibetan Fox DD LC

47 Vulpes vulpes DD LC

Order: CETARTIODACTYLA

48 Antlope cervicapra Blackbuck CR NT

49 Axis axis Axis Deer VU LC

50 Axis porcinus Hog Deer EN EN

51 Bos gaurus VU VU

52 Bos mutus DD VU

53 Boselaphus tragocamelus VU LC

54 Bubalus arnee Wild Water Bufalo EN EN

55 Capricornis thar Himalayan DD NT

56 Hemitragus jemlahicus Himalayan NT NT

57 Moschiola indica Indian Chevrotain CR LC

58 Moschus chrysogaster EN EN

59 Moschus fuscus DD EN

60 Moschus leucogaster Himalayan Musk Deer DD EN

61 Muntacus vaginalis Barking Deer VU LC

62 Naemorhedus NT NT

63 ammon DD NT

64 Pantholops hodgsonii DD NT

65 Platanista gangetca South Asian River Dolphin CR EN

66 Porcula salvania Pygmy Hog RE CR

67 Procapra pictcaudata Tibetan Gazelle CR NT

68 nayaur Blue Sheep LC LC

69 Rucervus duvaucelii Swamp Deer EN VU

70 unicolor Sambar VU VU

71 Sus scrofa LC LC

72 Tetracerus quadricornis Four-horned Antelope DD VU

Order: CHIROPTERA

73 circumdatus Bronze Sprite DD LC

74 leucomelas Asian Barbastelle LC LC

75 Cynopterus sphinx Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat LC LC

76 Eonycteris spelaea Dawn Bat DD LC

77 dimissus Surat Serotne DD DD

78 Eptesicus serotnus Serotne DD LC

79 afnis Chocolate Pipistrelle DD LC

80 tckelli Tickell's Bat DD LC

81 Hipposideros armiger Great Himalayan Leaf-nosed Bat LC LC

82 Hipposideros cineraceus Least Leaf-nosed Bat DD LC

83 Hipposideros fulvus Fulvus Leaf-nosed Bat DD LC

84 Hipposideros pomona Andersen's Leaf-nosed Bat NT LC

85 io Great CR LC

86 Kerivoula hardwickii Hardwicke's Woolly Bat DD LC

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 11371 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al.

Scientfc Name Common Name Natonal Status Global status

87 Kerivoula picta Painted Bat LC LC

88 Megaderma lyra Greater False Vampire LC LC

89 Miniopterus pusillus Small Long-fngered Bat DD LC

90 Miniopterus schreibersii Common Bentwing Bat LC NT

91 Murina aurata Tibetan Tube-nosed Bat NT LC

92 Murina cyclots Round-eared Tube-nosed Bat LC LC

93 Murina hutoni Huton's Tube-nosed Bat DD LC

94 Murina leucogaster Rufous Tube-nosed Bat DD LC

95 Myots blythii Lesser Mouse-eared Bat DD LC

96 Myots csorbai Csorba’s Mouse-eared Bat CR DD

97 Myots formosus Hodgson's Bat LC LC

98 Myots muricola Nepalese Whiskered Bat LC LC

99 Myots nipalensis Nepal Myots LC LC

100 Myots sicarius Mandelli's Mouse-eared Bat VU VU

101 Myots siligorensis Himalayan Whiskered Bat LC LC

102 montanus Mountain Noctule DD LC

103 Nyctalus noctula Noctule DD LC

104 Philetor brachypterus Short-winged Pipistrelle VU LC

105 coromandra Coromandel Pipistrelle LC LC

106 Pipistrellus javanicus Javan Pipistrelle LC LC

107 Pipistrellus tenuis LC LC

108 auritus Brown Big-eared Bat DD LC

109 Plecotus austriacus Grey Long-eared Bat DD LC

110 Pteropus giganteus Indian Flying Fox LC LC

111 Rhinolophus afnis Intermediate Horseshoe Bat LC LC

112 Rhinolophus ferrumequinum Greater Horseshoe Bat LC LC

113 Rhinolophus lepidus Blyth's Horseshoe Bat NT LC

114 Rhinolophus luctus Woolly Horseshoe Bat LC LC

115 Rhinolophus macrots Big-eared Horseshoe Bat LC LC

116 Rhinolophus pearsonii Pearson's Horseshoe Bat LC LC

117 Rhinolophus pusillus Least Horseshoe Bat LC LC

118 Rhinolophus sinicus Chinese Horseshoe Bat LC LC

119 Rhinolophus subbadius Litle Nepalese Horseshoe Bat DD LC

120 Rousetus leschenaulti Leschenault’s Rousete LC LC

121 Scotomanes ornatus Harlequin Bat EN LC

122 heathii Greater Asiatc Yellow House Bat LC LC

123 Scotophilus kuhlii Lesser Asiatc Yellow House Bat DD LC

124 Sphaerias blanfordi Blandford's Fruit Bat DD LC

125 Taphozous longimanus Longed-winged Tomb Bat DD LC

Order:

126 Chimarrogale Himalayica Himalayan Water Shrew EN LC

127 atenuata Indochinese Shrew LC LC

128 Crocidura horsfeldii Horsefeld's Shrew DD DD

129 Crocidura pergrisea Pale Grey Shrew DD DD

130 caudatus Hodgson's Brown-toothed Shrew LC LC

11372 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al.

Scientfc Name Common Name Natonal Status Global status

131 Episoriculus leucops Long-tailed Brown-toothed Shrew LC LC

132 Episoriculus macrurus Arboreal Brown-toothed Shrew DD LC

133 micrura Himalayan Mole DD LC

134 Nectogale elegans Elegant Water Shrew DD LC

135 bedfordiae Lesser Stripe-backed Shrew DD LC

136 Sorex excelsus Highland Shrew DD LC

137 Sorex minutus Eurasian Pygmy Shrew DD LC

138 Soriculus nigrescens Large-clawed Shrew LC LC

139 etruscus Pygmy White-toothed Shrew DD LC

140 Suncus murinus House Shrew LC LC

141 Suncus stoliczkanus Anderson's Shrew DD LC

Order: LAGOMORPHA

142 Caprolagus hispidus Hispid Hare EN EN

143 Lepus nigricollis Indian Hare LC LC

144 Lepus oiostolus LC LC

145 Ochotona curzoniae Plateau Pika DD LC

146 Ochotona Himalayana Himalayan Pika EN LC

147 Ochotona Lama's Pika DD

148 Ochotona macrots Large-eared Pika DD LC

149 Ochotona nubrica Nubra Pika DD LC

150 Ochotona roylei Royle's Pika DD LC

151 Ochotona thibetana Moupin Pika DD LC

Order: PERISSODACTYLA

152 Equus kiang Kiang VU LC

153 Rhinoceros unicornis Greater One-horned Rhinoceros EN VU

Order: PHOLIDOTA

154 Manis crassicaudata Indian Pangolin EN EN

155 Manis pentadactyla Chinese Pangolin EN CR

Order: PRIMATES

156 Macaca assamensis Assam Macaque VU NT

157 Macaca mulata Rhesus Macaque LC LC

158 Semnopithecus ajax Himalayan Grey Langur DD EN

159 Semnopithecus hector Terai Grey Langur LC NT

160 Semnopithecus schistaceus Nepal Grey Langur LC LC

Order: PROBOSCIDEA

161 Elephas Maximus Asian Elephant EN EN

Order: RODENTIA

162 Altcola roylei Royle's Mountain Vole DD NT

163 Altcola stoliczkanus Stoliczka's Mountain Vole DD LC

164 Apodemus Gurkha Himalayan Field Mouse EN LC

165 Apodemus pallipes Ward's Field Mouse DD LC

166 Apodemus sylvatcus Long-tailed Field Mouse LC LC

167 bengalensis Lesser Rat LC LC

168 Bandicota indica Greater Bandicoot Rat LC LC

169 Bandicota indica Giant Bandicoot-Rat DD LC

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 11373 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al.

Scientfc Name Common Name Natonal Status Global status

170 Belomys pearsonii Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel DD DD

171 Callosciurus pygerythrus Hoary-bellied Squirrel LC LC

172 Cannomys badius Bay Bamboo Rat DD LC

173 Cricetulus altcola Hamster DD LC

174 Dacnomys millardi Millard's Rat DD DD

175 Diomys crumpi Crump's Mouse DD DD

176 Dremomys lokriah Orange-bellied Himalayan Squirrel LC LC

177 Funambulus pennanti Five-striped Palm Squirrel LC LC

178 Golunda elliot Indian Bush Rat LC LC

179 Hylopetes alboniger Partcolored Flying Squirrel LC LC

180 Hystrix brachyura Himalayan Crestless Porcupine DD LC

181 Hystrix indica Indian Crested Porcupine DD LC

182 Marmota bobak Bobak LC LC

183 Marmota himalayana Himalayan Marmot LC LC

184 Millardia meltada Sof-furred Metad LC LC

185 Mus booduga Common Indian Field Mouse LC LC

186 Mus cervicolor Fawn-colored Mouse LC LC

187 Mus cookii Cook's Mouse DD LC

188 Mus musculus House Mouse LC LC

189 Mus phillipsi Wroughton’s Small Spiny Mouse DD LC

190 Mus platythrix Flat-haired Mouse DD LC

191 Mus saxicola Brown Spiny Mouse LC LC

192 Mus terricolor Earth-colored Mouse LC LC

193 Neodon sikimensis Sikkim Vole DD LC

194 indica Short-tailed Bandicoot Rat LC LC

195 Niviventer eha Litle Himalayan Rat LC LC

196 Niviventer fulvescens Chestnut White-bellied Rat DD LC

197 Niviventer niviventer Himalayan White-bellied Rat LC LC

198 Petaurista elegans Spoted Giant Flying Squirrel DD LC

199 Petaurista magnifcus Hodgson's Giant Flying Squirrel DD LC

200 Petaurista nobilis Giant Flying Squirrel DD NT

201 Petaurista petaurista Red Giant Flying Squirrel LC LC

202 Phaiomys leucurus Blyth's Vole DD LC

203 Ratus andamanensis Sikkim Rat DD LC

204 Ratus nitdus Himalayan Field Rat LC LC

205 Ratus norvegicus Brown Rat LC LC

206 Ratus pyctoris Himalayan Rat LC LC

207 Ratus ratus Black Rat LC LC

208 Ratufa Bicolor Black Giant Squirrel EN NT

209 Tamiops macclellandii Himalayan Striped Squirrel LC LC

210 Tatera indica Indian Gerbil LC LC

211 Vandeleuria oleracea Asiatc Long-tailed Climbing Mouse LC LC

Order: SCANDENTIA

212 Tupaia belangeri Northern Tree Shrew DD LC

11374 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al.

Appendix 2. Summary of the main threats to threatened mammal species of Nepal

Primary Threat

Secondary Threat

Tertary Threat

Potental / suspected Threat

Specifc key threats / drivers of species declines Illegal huntng

1 Poaching for oil used as fsh bait

2 Commercial poaching for use of animals/animal parts in trade or for medicinal purposes

3 Subsistence poaching

Human Wildlife confict

4 Crop raiding

5 Property damage

6 Human injury

7 Livestock depredaton

8 Retaliatory killing

9 Persecuton

Habitat loss, degradaton and alteraton

10 Invasive plant species

11 Vegetaton succession leading to scrub encroachment

12 Indiscriminate burning of grasslands

13 Fragmentaton (human encroachment, clearance for agriculture, urbanizaton)

14 Disturbance (roostng sites)

15 Water polluton (industrial, agricultural and domestc)

16 Barriers (dams, fences)

17 Water development projects

18 Sand and gravel mining of river beds and other surface quarrying Degradaton of forests (fuel and fodder collecton, logging, selectve tmber felling, 19 burning, overgrazing) Degradaton of grasslands and pastures (livestock over-grazing, inappropriate grassland 20 management in protected areas, vegetaton succession leading to scrub encroachment) Disease

21 Tuberculosis

22 Rabies

23 Foot-and-mouth

24 White nose or Mange

Resource depleton

25 Depleton of natural prey base (due to over-fshing, huntng etc.)

Genetc loss

26 Inbreeding depression (small isolated populatons)

27 Hybridizaton

Other

28 Flooding, landslides etc.

29 Predaton (feral dogs)

30 Entanglement in fshing gear such as gill nets

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 11375 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al.

Primary, secondary and potental/suspected threats to threatened mammal species of Nepal

Species Other Disease alteraton Genetc loss Genetc Illegal huntng Illegal Category of threat Category Resource depleton Resource Human wildlife confict Human wildlife Habitat loss, degradaton and loss, degradaton Habitat

Antlope cervicapra, Blackbuck 2,3 4,8 20 23 26 29

Canis lupus, Grey Wolf 2 7,8,9 13 22 25

la io, Great Evening Bat 3 13,14,19 24

Moschiola indica, Indian Chevrotain 3 10,12,13,20 23 26 CR Myots csorbai, Csorba’s Mouse-eared Myots 3 13,19 24 15,16, Platanista gangetca, Ganges River Dolphin 1 25 26 30 17,18 Procapra pictcaudata, Tibetan Gazelle 2,3 16,20 26 29

Ursus arctos, Brown Bear 2 4,7,8,9 13 25 26

Bos mutus, Wild Yak 3 13 23

Ailurus fulgens, Red Panda 2 13,19 26 29

Apodemus gurkha, Himalayan Field Mouse 9 13,20

Axis porcinus, Hog Deer 3 10,11 28

Bubalus arnee, Wild Water Bufalo 3 4,8 10,11,20 23 26,27 28

Caprolagus hispidus, Hispid Hare 11,12,13,20

Chimarrogale himalayica, Himalayan Water Shrew 9 13,15 28

Cuon alpinus, Dhole 7,8,9 13 22 25 EN Elephas maximus, Asian Elephant 4,5,6,8 13,19 21

Hyaena hyaena, Striped Hyeana 7,8,9 13,19,20 25

Lutrogale perspicillata, Smooth-coated Oter 2 9 13,15,16,17 25 30

Manis crassicaudata, Indian Pangolin 2,3 9 13,19

Manis pentadactyla, Chinese Pangolin 2,3 9 13,19

Mellivora capensis, Honey Badger 9 13

Melursus ursinus, Sloth Bear 2 4,8,9 13,19

Moschus chrysogaster, Alpine Musk Deer 2 13,20 23

Neofelis nebulosa, Clouded Leopard 2 7,8 13,19

Ochotona himalayana, Himalayan Pika 9 20

Panthera tgris tgris, Bengal Tiger 2 6,7,8 13,19,20 25

Panthera uncia, Snow Leopard 2 7,8 13,19,20 25

Prionodon pardicolor, Spoted Linsang 2 13,19

Prionailurus viverrinus, Fishing Cat 2 15,17,19 25

Ratufa bicolor, Black Giant Squirrel 2,3 9 19

Rhinoceros unicornis, Greater One-horned Rhino 2 4,5,6,8 10,11,12,13,19

Rucervus duvaucelii, Swamp Deer 3 13,20 23

Scotomanes ornatus, Harlequin Bat 3 13,20 24

Ursus thibetanus, Himalayan Black Bear 2 4,6,7,8 13,19

11376 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al.

Species Other Disease alteraton Genetc loss Genetc Illegal huntng Illegal Category of threat Category Resource depleton Resource Human wildlife confict Human wildlife Habitat loss, degradaton and loss, degradaton Habitat

Axis axis, 3 10,13,20 23

Boselaphus tragocamelus, Nilgai 3 4,8 13,20 23

Bos gaurus, Gaur 3 11,13,19,20 23

Equus kiang, Kiang 20

Herpestes urva, Crab-eatng Mongoose 2 13,15,17,19

Lynx lynx, Lynx 2 7,8,9 13,20 22 VU Muntacus vaginalis, Barking Deer 3 10,13,19,20 23

Myots sicarius, Mandelli's Mouse-eared Myots 3 13,14,19 24

Panthera pardus, Leopard 2 6,7,8,9 13 25

Philetor brachypterus, Short-winged Pipistrelle 3 13,14,19 24

Prionailurus bengalensis, Leopard Cat 3 7,8,9 13

Rusa unicolor, Sambar 3 10,13,19 23

Vulpes bengalensis, Bengal Fox 2 7,8,9,11 13

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Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378 11377 Status of Nepal’s mammals Amin et al.

Nepali abstract:

Acknowledgements: We are indebted to the Zoological Society of London who provided funding for the project. We thank Mr. Shaym Bajimaya, previous Director General of Department of Natonal Parks and Wildlife Conservaton, Nepal for his support to the project. At the Natonal Trust for Nature Conservaton (NTNC) we thank former Member Secretary, Mr. Juddha Bahadur Gurung, Executve Ofcer, Mr Ganga Jung Thapa and Program Director, Ms. Sarita Jnawali. We thank NTNC for hostng and organising two vital workshops that were held to discuss mammal status, threats and categories as well as supportng the two Britsh scientsts during their stay. At Himalayan Nature we thank Chairman, Professor Karan Bahadur Shah and Director, Sharad Singh for their support. The work would not have been possible without the help of a very large number of people who generously provided their input. We warmly thank all of them including all those who atended the two workshops for their enormous contributons.

Author Details: Rajan Amin is a senior wildlife biologist at the Zoological Society of London with over 25 years of experience in African and Asian grassland and forest ecosystems and in developing long-term conservaton projects for threatened species. Hem Sagar Baral has a PhD from the University of Amsterdam, and has been actvely involved in wildlife conservaton for over 25 years. Currently he is working as the head of Nepal conservaton programme for ZSL. Laxman Prasad Poudyal holds a MSc degree in Natural Resource Management and Rural Development. He is the Ecologist at the Department of Natonal Parks and Wildlife Conservaton, Nepal. Babu Ram Lamichhane is interested in geo-spatal applicaton for wildlife management with a recent focus on human-wildlife interactons. Samantha Lee holds an MSc in Ecology, Evoluton and Conservaton and is a senior conservaton ofcer at the Royal Society for the Protecton of Birds (RSPB). She contributed to this project in her previous role with ZSL. Shanta Raj Jnawali is Chief of Party of USAID-Hariyo Ban Program II and contributed on this project as NTNC’s Programme Director. Krishna Prasad Acharya works for the Department of Forests, Nepal with interest in human-wildlife confict. Gopal Prasad Upadhyaya and Megh Bahadur Pandey both served as Director General of DNPWC during this study. Rinjan Shrestha has a PhD in Wildlife Biology from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, and currently working as a lead specialist/Asian big cats at the WWF-Canada. Dipesh Joshi and Janine Grifths contributed to this project in their previous role with ZSL. Ambika Prasad Khatwada is the NTNC Bardia NP Programme Manager and is currently researching pangolins and wild . Naresh Subedi studied rhino ecology and efect of invasive species, he serves as NTNC’s Terai Programme Coordinator.

Author Contributon: RA, HSB and SRJ conceived the idea; RA, HSB, BRL, DJ, JG, APK and SL collected data and performed analysis; all authors wrote the manuscript.

11378 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2018 | 10(3): 11361–11378

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ISSN 0974-7907 (Online); ISSN 0974-7893 (Print)

March 2018 | Vol. 10 | No. 3 | Pages: 11361–11494 Date of Publicaton: 26 March 2018 (Online & Print) www.threatenedtaxa.org DOI: 10.11609/jot.2018.10.3.11361-11494

Communicatons Short Communicatons

The status of Nepal’s mammals A Babbler’s tale: assessing the distributon of Turdoides striata -- Rajan Amin, Hem Sagar Baral, Babu Ram Lamichhane, Laxman Prasad (Dumont, 1823) (Aves: Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae) in India Poudyal, Samantha Lee, Shant Raj Jnawali, Krishna Prasad Acharya, Gopal -- Nishikant Gupta & Gautam Talukdar, Pp. 11450–11453 Prasad Upadhyaya, Megh Bahadur Pandey, Rinjan Shrestha, Dipesh Joshi, Janine Grifths, Ambika Prasad Khatwada & Naresh Subedi, Extension in its distributon range and a new record for the cicada Pp. 11361–11378 genus Salvazana Distant, 1913 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cryptotympanii) from India The bat fauna (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of the United Arab Emirates: a -- Sudhanya Ray Hajong & Rodeson Thangkiew, Pp. 11454–11458 review of published records and museum specimens with conservaton notes Umbrella Starwort Stellaria umbellata Turcz. (Caryophyllaceae): a new -- J. Judas, Gabor Csorba & Petr Benda, Pp. 11379–11390 record to the fora of the western Himalaya, India -- Satsh Chandra & D.S. Rawat, Pp. 11459–11463 Investgatng ’s human-monkey confict and developing a strategy to mitgate the problem First record of Cryptomarasmius T.S. Jenkinson & Desjardin -- Surendranie Judith Cabral, Tharaka Prasad, Thulmini Pubudika (Physalacriaceae: : ) from India Deeyagoda, Sanjaya Nuwan Weerakkody, Ashwika Nadarajah & -- Arun Kumar Duta & Krishnendu Acharya, Pp. 11464–11469 Rasanayagam Rudran, Pp. 11391–11398 Foliicolous fungi on medicinal plants in Thiruvananthapuram District, A checklist of bird communites In Tamhini Wildlife Sanctuary, the Kerala, India northern , , India -- A. Sabeena, V.B. Hosagoudar & V. Divaharan, Pp. 11470–11479 -- Dhananjay Chavan Vinayak & Subhash Vithal Mali, Pp. 11399–11409

Spatal and temporal paterns of stork sightngs (Aves: Ciconiidae) in Notes Natonal Chambal Sanctuary of Gangetc River system -- R.K. Sharma & L.A.K. Singh, Pp. 11410–11415 Pternopetalum latpinnulatum (Apiaceae), a new record for the fora of India The Red-headed Falcon Falco chicquera Daudin, 1800 (Aves: -- Licha Jeri, Nazir Ahmad Bhat & Yogendra Kumar, Pp. 11480–11483 Falconiformes: Falconidae) breeding on Palmyra Palm at Bahour Lake, Puducherry (Pondicherry), India Five new additons to the grass fora of Tripura State, India -- Raveendran Lekshmi & Surendhar Boobalan, Pp. 11416–11422 -- Sampa Ghosh & Debjyot Bhatacharyya, Pp. 11484–11492

Fish diversity and the conservaton status of a wetland of Cooch Behar District, , India Response -- Ram Krishna Das, Pp. 11423–11431 A preliminary but incomplete checklist of spiders Seasonal distributon and abundance of earthworms (Annelida: -- R.V. Vyas & B.M. Parasharya, Pp. 11493–11494 Oligochaeta) in relaton to the edaphic factors around Udupi Power Corporaton Limited (UPCL), Udupi District, southwestern coast of India -- T.S. Harish Kumar, M. Siddaraju, C.H. Krishna Bhat & K.S. Sreepada, Pp. Miscellaneous 11432–11442 Natonal Biodiversity Authority Breeding behaviour of the Coromandel Marsh Dart Damselfy (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae: Ceriagrion coromandelianum (Fabricius)) in central India Nilesh R. Thaokar, Payal R. Verma & Raymond J. Andrew, Pp. 11443– 11449

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