The Chinese pangolin is a critically endangered and biologically unique species, yet information on its status, distribution, and habitat preferences is still scarce in Nepal, which limits effective conservation action. This study identified the current burrow density status, distribution pattern, and important habitat parameters associated with Chinese pangolin distribution in Nepal through opportunistic field surveys. Fifty‐four belt transects were examined for the presence of pangolin burrows. For each active burrow (burrow with freshly dug soil, footprints, and scat near the entrance) and old burrow (burrow with compacted soil, presence of dead leaves, and spider web in the entrance), we recorded the geographic coordinates and assessed data on 11 habitat parameters that included elevation, aspect, slope, canopy cover, ground cover, presence or absence of ant and termite colonies, habitat type, soil type, and distances to the nearest water source, road, and settlement. A total of 141 active burrows and 430 old burrows were recorded with an overall clumped distribution . Active burrow density was estimated to be 1.04 burrows/ha. Of the 11 habitat parameters predicted to influence the probability of encountering pangolin burrows, all parameters were significant except elevation. More than 92% of the burrows were found at elevations between 450 and 750 m and facing either the SE or NW aspect. Similarly, about 90% of the burrows were distributed in areas having slopes between 0% and 30% with moderate to high canopy and ground cover, and located close to water sources, roads, and settlements. Additionally, they strongly preferred forest habitats (with Shorea robusta, Castanopsis indica, Schima wallichii, Clerodendron infortunatum, and Nephrolepis auriculata as the dominant vegetation), areas with red soil, and areas located near ant and termite colonies. Although the study area currently provides suitable habitat for Chinese pangolins, it is slowly being degraded due to increasing rates of forest degradation. Conservation efforts should be increased in order to protect this critically endangered species and their preferred habitats. Finally, our findings reveal the preferred habitat characteristics of Chinese pangolins, which could be instrumental for policy makers and forest managers in making conservation plans for Chinese pangolins.

Rapidly changing environmental conditions (bioclimatic, anthropogenic, topographic, and vegetation-related variables) are likely to alter the spatial distribution of flora and fauna. To understand the influence of environmental variables on the Blue bull’s distribution and to identify potential conflict zones, the habitat suitability analysis of the Blue bull was performed using ensemble modeling. We modelled the distribution of the Blue bull using an extensive database on the current distribution of the Blue bull and selected 15 ecologically significant environmental variables. We used ten species distribution modeling algorithms available in the BIOMOD2 R package. Among the ten algorithms, the Random Forest, Maxent, and Generalized linear model had the highest mean true skill statistics scores, ensuring better model performance, and were considered for further analysis. We found that 22,462.57 km² (15.26%) of Nepal is suitable for the Blue bull. Slope, precipitation seasonality, and distance to the road are the environmental variables contributing the most to the distribution of Blue bull. Of the total predicted suitable habitats, 86% lies outside protected areas and 55% overlaps with agricultural land. Thus, we recommend that the future conservation initiatives including appropriate conflict mitigation measures should be prioritized equally in both protected areas and outside protected areas to ensure the species’ survival in the region.

Over the last few years, intensifying human impact and the deterioration of natural habitats have severely restricted the global distribution of large herbivores. Rucervus duvaucelii, commonly recognized as the swamp deer, is a habitat-specialist endemic large herbivore of the Indian Subcontinent. It is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN and listed in CITES Appendix I due to a steep decline in its population, which is primarily due to anthropogenic causes. In Nepal, the last remaining population of this species is confined to limited pocket areas within the western Terai Arc Landscape. We explored potential habitat for swamp deer across this landscape using species distribution modelling through the MaxEnt algorithm by using 173 field-verified presence points alongside six anthropogenic, four topographic, and four vegetation-related variables. Our study found that out of the total study area (9207 km²), only 6% (590 km²) was suitable for swamp deer. Approximately 45% of suitable habitat was incorporated within protected areas, with Shuklaphanta National Park harboring the largest habitat patch. The suitability of habitat was discovered to be positively associated with low-elevation areas, areas near water sources, and areas far from settlements, implying the need to conserve water sources and minimize the extension of anthropogenic pressure for their long-term conservation. Additionally, we suggest the implications of a swamp deer-centric conservation strategy, with an emphasis on increasing connectivity through the corridors and landscape-level population connectivity through trans-boundary conservation initiatives between Nepal and India. Moreover, considering large herbivores' high vulnerability to extinction, similar researche incorporating anthropogenic factors is of the utmost importance to produce vital information on habitat suitability for conserving other regionally and globally endemic, habitat-specialized herbivores.

Background: Knowledge about the niche overlap among wild species and domestic cattle is helpful to conserve and manage wildlife. We assessed the habitat niche breadth and overlap of sympatrically living spotted deer (Axis axis) and domestic cattle with swamp deer (Cervus duvaucelii) in Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal during the dry season to explore the possibility of interspecific competition by studying the habitat use by these species. The assumption was made that the presence of pellets is proof of habitat used by species. Methods: Grids of 2 km × 2 km have four subgrids, each with four sample plots, making a total of 16 plots (20 m × 20 m) in each grid. The size of each sub-grid was 200 m × 200 m and they were placed randomly inside the grid but at least 1 km apart from one another. The data was collected in a 96 plots in total. Levin’s niche breadth and Morisita’s overlap index were calculated to determine the niche breadth and the habitat overlap, respectively. Results: The Levin’s measure of niche breadth suggested that spotted deer had the highest acclimatization with an index value of 0.94, followed by domestic cattle at 0.50, and swamp deer at 0.33 in our study area. Thus, our findings supported the evidence that spotted deer are habitat generalists, whereas swamp deer are habitat specialists. The swamp deer had lower niche breadth and more overlap with domestic cattle. Conclusion: Our study showed the least niche breadth of swamp deer in comparison to spotted deer and domestic cattle. The domestic cattle had the highest and least niche overlap with spotted deer and swamp deer, respectively, in terms of habitat use. Our study suggests that domestic cattle grazing should be stopped, and grassland management should be carried out for the benefit of ungulates. Similar studies should be conducted, including different seasons and places, prior to appropriate habitat management. In addition, further studies are needed to quantify the extent of interspecific competition by incorporating more species.

Himalayan or White-bellied Musk Deer Moschus leucogaster, an IUCN indexed endangered species, is distributed in isolated pockets in the Himalaya. The deer population is decreasing owing to several pressures that include habitat loss and fragmentation, and poaching. It is essential to identify preferred habitat characteristics to support appropriate management strategies for conserving this endangered species. This study was carried out in the Nysheang basin of Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal to identify habitats preferred by the musk deer. Habitat field parameters were collected using transect surveys. To analyze vegetation use and availability, nested quadrate plots size 20 m2 were established. Ivlev’s electivity index (IV) (-1 to +1) was employed to determine habitat preference, and one-way ANOVA (F) and chi-square tests (χ2) were used to examine different habitat parameters. Similarly, the importance value index (IVI) of the vegetation was calculated. Our results showed that the Himalayan Musk Deer strongly preferred habitats at 3601–3800 m altitude (IV= 0.3, F= 4.58, P <0.05), with 21–30º slope (IV= 0.2, F= 4.14, P <0.05), 26–50 % crown cover (IV= 0.25, F= 4.45, P <0.05), 26–50 % ground cover (IV= 0.15, F= 4.13, P <0.05), and mixed forest (IV= 0.29, χ2= 28.82, df= 3, p <0.001). Among the trees, Abies spectabilis (IVI= 74.87, IV= 0.035) and Rhododendron arboretum (IVI= 55.41, IV= 0.02) were the most preferred, while Rhododendron lepidotum, Cassiope fastigiata (IV= 0.35) and Berberis aristata (IV= 0.25) were the most preferred shrubs, and Primula denticulata (IV= 0.87) and Primula rotundifolia (IV= 0.31) were the most preferred herbs. These preferred habitat conditions should be maintained and conserved to sustain a viable population of deer in the study area. Further studies will be required to assess the effects of climate change on habitat suitability.

Information on the spatial and temporal patterns of losses caused by leopard (Panthera pardus) in terms of human attacks and livestock depredation in the human-dominated landscape of the mid-hills of Nepal is essential in formulating and implementing effective mitigation measures. This study aimed to assess the spatial and temporal patterns of leopard attacks on humans and livestock and the economic losses incurred by livestock depredation between 2015 and 2019 in the Bhanu municipality of Tanahun District. We adopted a household survey (N = 110), key informant (N = 10), and focus group discussion (N = 4) for this study. We purposively chose two conflict wards: 2 and 4, based on the severity of the attacks by the leopard. Within each ward, we selected the households randomly and conducted a semistructured questionnaire survey in September 2020. A total of 8 incidents of human attacks and 142 incidents of livestock depredation were recorded, with six human casualties in ward 2 and 1.45 incidents of livestock depredation per household in ward 4. The maximum attack was observed during 2019 both on humans (n = 6) and livestock (n = 67). Leopards mostly attacked children below 9 years, living within 200 m of the nearest forest edge, with the highest attack during the autumn months (62.5%). During the five years, leopard killed goats that represent 83.1% of total livestock loss categories. A significant difference was found in the frequency of attacks on livestock over the years (χ² = 87.60, df = 4, and ), months (χ² = 16.53, df = 11, and ), and time of day (χ² = 48.47, df = 3, and ) with the highest attack during the year 2019 (47.18%), July (14.08%), and daytime (42.96%), respectively. Households living nearer to the forest edge (400 m from the forest edge. We suggest adopting mitigation measures like predator-proof livestock corals while stall feeding and strengthening conscientious livestock herding practices during grazing, encouraging livestock insurance schemes, educating local communities about leopard behavior, caring for and protecting children intensively in the leopard attack sites, improving the prey base in the wild, and timely management of man-eater leopard to reduce the conflict in the study area and the country.