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[Display omitted] • ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was used to distinguish 3 wild cats from black guard hair. • The PLS-DA model successfully classified three species into distinct groups. • The PLS-DA model successfully differentiated human and non-human hair. • 100 % accuracy was achieved during the blind test. Hair is a commonly encountered trace evidence in wildlife crimes involving mammals and can be used for species identification which is essential for subsequent judicial proceedings. This proof of concept study aims, to distinguish the black guard hair of three wild cat species belonging to the genus Panthera i.e. Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca), and Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) using a rapid and non-destructive ATR-FTIR spectroscopic technique in combination with chemometrics. A training dataset including 72 black guard hair samples of three species (24 samples from each species) was used to construct chemometric models. A PLS2-DA model successfully classified these three species into distinct classes with R-Square values of 0.9985 (calibration) and 0.8989 (validation). VIP score was also computed, and a new PLS2DA-V model was constructed using variables with a VIP score ≥ 1. External validation was performed using a validation dataset including 18 black guard hair samples (6 samples per species) to validate the constructed PLS2-DA model. It was observed that PLS2-DA model provides greater accuracy and precision compared to the PLS2DA-V model during cross-validation and external validation. The developed PLS2-DA model was also successful in differentiating human and non-human hair with R-Square values of 0.99 and 0.91 for calibration and validation, respectively. Apart from this, a blind test was also carried out using 10 unknown hair samples which were correctly classified into their respective classes providing 100 % accuracy. This study highlights the advantages of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy associated with PLS-DA for differentiation and identification of the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, and Snow Leopard hairs in a rapid, accurate, eco-friendly, and non-destructive way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enamel of mammalian teeth is a highly mineralized tissue that must endure a lifetime of cyclic contact and is inspiring the development of next-generation engineering materials. Attempts to implement enamel-inspired structures in synthetic materials have had limited success, largely due to the absence of a detailed understanding of its microstructure. The present work used synchrotron phase-contrast microCT imaging to evaluate the three-dimensional microstructure of enamel from four mammals including Lion, Gray Wolf, Snow Leopard, and Black Bear. Quantitative results of image analysis revealed that the decussation pattern of enamel consists of discrete diazone (D) and parazone (P) bands of rods organized with stacking arrangement of D+/P/D-/P in all mammals evaluated; the D+ and D- refer to distinct diazone bands with juxtaposed rod orientations from the reference plane. Furthermore, the rod orientations in the bands can be described in terms of two principal angles, defined here as the pitch and yaw. While the pitch angle increases from the outer enamel to a maximum (up to ≈ 40°) near the dentin enamel junction, minimal spatial variations are observed in yaw across the enamel thickness. There are clear differences in the decussation parameters of enamel across species that are interpreted here with respect to the structural demands placed on their teeth. The rod pitch and band width of enamel are identified as important design parameters and appear to be correlated with the bite force quotient of the four mammals evaluated. The multi-functionality of tooth enamel requires both hardness and resistance to fracture, properties that are generally mutually exclusive. Ubiquitous to all mammalian teeth, the enamel is expected to have undergone adaptations in microstructure to accommodate the differences in diet, body size and bite force across animals. For the first time, we compare the complex three-dimensional microstructure of enamel from teeth of multiple mammalian species using synchrotron micro-computed tomography. The findings provide new understanding of the "design" of mammalian enamel microstructures, as well as how specific parameters associated with the decussation of rods appear to be engineered to modulate its fracture resistance. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cowpox virus is considered to be a re-emerging zoonotic pathogen and a public health threat due to increasing numbers of cases in humans and animals in Europe over the past decade, including within the United Kingdom (UK). We present epidemiological data and diagnostic features of 27 recent, naturally occurring cowpox cases in zoo and wild animals across the UK, including the first reports of cowpox in two snow leopards (Panthera uncia), a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), three Chilean pudus (Pudu puda), a Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) and a Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), and the first reports of Orthopoxvirus infection in a lar gibbon (Hylobates lar), a Southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) and an aardvark (Orycteropus afer). This study provides a detailed overview of cowpox infections in a wide range of non-domestic animal species, presents a range of methods for diagnosis and demonstrates the value of retrospective analysis of pathology surveillance in revealing epidemiological links. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian communities inhabiting temperate grasslands are of conservation concern globally, especially in Central Asia, where livestock numbers have dramatically increased in recent decades, leading to overgrazing and land‐use change. Yet, how this pervasive presence of livestock herds affects the community of wild mammals remains largely unstudied. We used systematic camera trapping at 216 sites across remote, mountainous areas of the Mongolian Altai Mountains to assess the spatial and temporal patterns of occurrence and the interspecific relationships within a mammalian community that includes different categories of livestock. By adopting a recently proposed multispecies occupancy model that incorporates interspecific correlation in occupancy, we found several statistically strong correlations in occupancy among species pairs, with the majority involving livestock. The sign of such associations was markedly species‐dependent, with larger wild species of conservation concern, namely, snow leopard and Siberian ibex, avoiding livestock presence. As predicted, we found evidence of a positive correlation in occupancy between predators and their respective main prey. Contrary to our expectations, a number of intraguild species pairs also showed positive co‐occurrence, with no evidence of spatiotemporal niche partitioning. Overall, our study suggests that livestock encroaching into protected areas influences the whole local community of wild mammals. Though pastoralism has coexisted with wildlife for millennia in central Asian grasslands, our findings suggest that policies and practices to decrease the pressure of livestock husbandry on wildlife are needed, with special attention on large species, such as the snow leopard and its wild prey, which seem to be particularly sensitive to this pervasive livestock presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The first challenge primarily concerns the practical aspects of coexistence, particularly the ecological dimension involving human interactions with wildlife and related ecological processes. Such negative impacts of wildlife on humans are commonly believed to decrease people's tolerance toward wildlife, reduce support for conservation efforts, and encourage possible retaliation. Conservationists and their allies worldwide are dedicated to effective management of human B - b wildlife interactions in order to minimize conflicts for coexistence (CBD [2]). [Extracted from the article]

Snow leopards and agropastoral communities have co-existed in snow leopard range countries for centuries. The vulnerable snow leopard forms and maintains the entire ecosystem, serving as an indicator species of a healthy alpine ecosystem. However, snow leopards, on the other hand, habitually kill livestock, occasionally killing 100 or more livestock in a single night, resulting in snow leopard retaliation. Thus, the snow leopard is becoming more threatened, so more attention should be paid. Therefore, numerous conservation mitigation strategies have been applied to maintain human-snow leopard coexistence in countries of the snow leopard range. However, such implemented conservation strategies lacked a thorough assessment of their achievements or shortcomings in protecting the snow leopard and enhancing community tolerance. Therefore, we systematically examined and evaluated peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on existing and implemented mitigation measures. We use the software Publish or Perish to achieve this, and we assess using the Preferred Reporting of Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) review approach. We thoroughly analyzed 42 papers and book chapters that were condensed human- snow leopard co-existence-related literature published in English from 2010 to 2023. Almost 90% of the papers were country-specific, with the remaining papers covering regional or snow leopard ranges countries. Nepal had the most papers, followed by China, India, and Mongolia; however, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Pakistan, Russia, and Tajikistan each had<10%, but there was no single document from Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan. Predator-proof corral, improved herding practices, and community-based insurance programs were three of the key recommendations that were more than 10 to 22 times proposed interventions. There are site-specific sociocultural situations and environments that require long-term action-oriented research that is area-specific rather than short-term and generic interventions. We identified a large knowledge gap in snow leopard research, specifically a lack of evidence that demonstrates and quantifies the effects of conservation actions, and strongly advise that it be further researched. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Five major carnivore species conflict with humans in Pakistan. • A total of N = 7214 livestock heads were lost during past two decades to these five carnivores. • Maximum predator's attacks were documented in the buffer zones of different protected areas. • Maximum livestock were depredated by common leopard, followed by grey wolf and black bear. • Majority of livestock were attacked during summer season at nighttime. Human-carnivore conflict is a noteworthy rural livelihood issue as livestock of local communities living around protected areas are depredated by wild carnivores, which are the persecuted by local communities, in response. The current study aimed at investigating the patterns, perception, economic losses, and mitigation of human wildlife conflict in Pakistan through meta-analysis of published literature and using the questionnaire survey method. We retrieved data from the published and unpublished sources, and from records of provincial wildlife departments. In addition, we also collected empirical data from different households falling in the range of targeted carnivore species and filled 331 semi-structured questionaries. Based on the activities and home range of the predator species, conflict density maps for each predator species were developed. Our analysis revealed that five major carnivore species are involved in the human-wildlife conflict, namely Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos), common leopard (Panthera pardus), grey wolf (Canis lupus) and snow leopard (Panthera uncia). About 7214 livestock heads were reportedly lost during past two decades because of these five carnivore species. The domestic goat depredation was maximum (51.08 %, n = 3685), followed by sheep (27.09 %, n = 1954), cow (11.37 %, n = 820), buffalo (2.34 %, n = 169), dogs (2.05 %, n = 148), poultry (0.87 %, n = 63), donkey (4.28 %, n = 348), and horse (0.37 %, n = 27), causing a total financial loss of USD 1.87 million. Maximum livestock depredation occurred in summer season (50.79 %), at night (59.92 %) time and outside the village (51.22 %). Majority of the people showed negative attitude towards the predators, and they did not know about the conservation status and the authorities to report for conservation of the predator species. Most of the respondents were unaware about the possible management of the predator species for the co-existence of human and wildlife in the same landscape. However, majority of respondents (38.3 %) thought that livestock depredation by carnivore species can be controlled through payment of insurance compensation to the person who lost its livestock during carnivore attacks, followed by restoration of natural habitat (20.1 %), translocation of predator (16 %), and improved husbandry practices like predator proof corals (8 %). The study concludes that buffer zones of the protected areas are the hotspots for human- wildlife conflict and to avoid such conflict in future, special mitigation measures should be adapted, and regulations should be developed to minimize the niche overlap of the livestock and wildlife prey species, thereby to avoid any competition for food resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photo-identification of individual snow leopards (Panthera uncia) is the primary data source for density estimation via capture-recapture statistical methods. To identify individual snow leopards in camera trap imagery, it is necessary to match individuals from a large number of images from multiple cameras and historical catalogues, which is both time-consuming and costly. The camouflaged snow leopards also make it difficult for machine learning to classify photos, as they blend in so well with the surrounding mountain environment, rendering applicable software solutions unavailable for the species. To potentially make snow leopard individual identification available via an artificial intelligence (AI) software interface, we first trained and evaluated image classification techniques for a convolutional neural network, pose invariant embeddings (PIE) (a triplet loss network), and compared the accuracy of PIE to that of the HotSpotter algorithm (a SIFT-based algorithm). Data were acquired from a curated library of free-ranging snow leopards taken in Afghanistan between 2012 and 2019 and from captive animals in zoos in Finland, Sweden, Germany, and the United States. We discovered several flaws in the initial PIE model, such as a small amount of background matching, that was addressed, albeit likely not fixed, using background subtraction (BGS) and left-right mirroring (LR) techniques which demonstrated reasonable accuracy (Rank 1: 74% Rank-5: 92%) comparable to the Hotspotter results (Rank 1: 74% Rank 2: 84%)The PIE BGS LR model, in conjunction with Hotspotter, yielded the following results: Rank-1: 85%, Rank-5: 95%, Rank-20: 99%. In general, our findings indicate that PIE BGS LR, in conjunction with HotSpotter, can classify snow leopards more accurately than using either algorithm alone. • The largest snow leopard dataset for deep learning research was compiled from zoo and field data. • PIE and Hotspotter run together increase snow leopard image reidentification to 85% Rank-1. • Background subtraction and left-right mirroring decreased overfitting with the PIE algorithm. • Whiskerbook included PIE and Hotspotter deep learning processing along with data curation tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three sibling snow leopard (Panthera uncia) cubs were evaluated shortly after birth and found to have bilateral eyelid colobomas involving >50% of the upper central and lateral lid margins. The cubs also had iris to cornea persistent pupillary membranes and developed varying degrees of keratitis caused by trichiasis and exposure. No fundic abnormalities were noted. Given the severity of the defects an extensive surgical correction was required. Prior to surgical correction, the cubs were separated from the dam daily and a human-animal socialization plan was enacted to prepare the cubs for the intensive postoperative care that would be required. Bilateral lip commissure to eyelid transposition surgeries were performed on one cub at a time at 2 wk intervals starting at 3 mo of age. Postoperative care was labor and time intensive and each cub was maintained at the zoo's veterinary hospital for 11–21 days with daily supervised visits with the cub's siblings. All cubs were successfully reintroduced together and with the dam at the end of each hospitalization. The surgical procedure yielded fully functional eyelids and an excellent cosmetic appearance in all three cubs. The planned consistent human interaction with the cubs before and during the postoperative period made the procedure and its intensive aftercare possible and was crucial to the successful outcome of the surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a history of intermittent vomiting, endoscopic biopsies of stomach and duodenum were collected from a 13-yr-old male snow leopard (Uncia uncia). On microscopic examination, monomorphic small lymphocytes expanded the duodenal mucosa and occasionally formed intraepithelial nests. Immunohistochemistry of the infiltrating small lymphocytes in the mucosa and within the epithelium had strong, perimembranous labeling for CD3e, with few CD79a-positive lymphocytes located at the base of the villi. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for antigen receptor rearrangements (PARR) of feline T-cell receptor gamma (TCRG) detected a monoclonal cell population. The sequence of the PCR product was 100% homologous with the feline TCRG gene. By histology, immunophenotyping, and PARR testing, a final diagnosis of enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma, small cell type, was made. Homology in the nucleotide sequence between U. uncia and the domestic cat (Felis catus) indicates that feline PARR testing for TCRG may be diagnostic in snow leopards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The snow leopard Panthera uncia has declined due to habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and human persecution. Predator distribution is heavily dependent on prey species availability and distribution. With increasing pressures from farming practices encroaching into native species range and persecution of snow leopards in response to livestock depredation, it is vital to assess current predator and prey species distribution to highlight sensitive areas of overlap for protection. This study uses MaxEnt, a presence-only Species Distribution Model (SDM) to assess snow leopard and four prey species habitat suitability along the southern and eastern borders of Kazakhstan using environmental data. This area is considered an important corridor between snow leopard populations in the north and south of their range. Each of the five SDM's produced models of 'good' discriminating abilities. We then compared the potential niche overlap between snow leopard and four prey species using ENMTools to highlight areas of important niche overlap within the corridor. The results indicated a very high degree of overlap between snow leopard and Siberian ibex Capra sibirica and high degrees with red deer Cervus elaphus , argali Ovis ammon and urial Ovis orientalis. The snow leopard population in this region is also found to be using forested areas below 2500 m, much lower than recorded in other areas of their range. The results highlight areas needed for protection but also pose additional conservation questions regarding the importance of prey species to transitory individuals. Highlights • Highest degree of niche overlap was between snow leopard and Sibearian Ibex. • Second, 3rd and 4th niche overlap between snow leopard and red deer, argali and urial. • At elevation of 2500 m–5500 m there is highly suitable habitat for snow leopard and Siberian ibex. • Argali, Urial, and red deer, highly suitable habitat is lower than 2500 m. • The environmental space for both predator and prey is similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two related female snow leopards (Panthera uncia) were diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans of the lateral femoral condyle via radiographs and computed tomography. Lesions were either bilateral (Patient 1) or unilateral (Patient 2). Surgical treatment was performed using an osteochondral autograft transfer system following cartilage flap removal. After a 6-wk recovery period, both animals had a markedly improved gait with mild pelvic limb stiffness. Patient 1 developed intermittent lameness 9 mo postsurgery and Patient 2 had mild lameness 3 yr postsurgery. Because of recurrent lameness, both animals were treated with platelet-rich plasma intra-articular injections and oral gabapentin (Patient 1) or oral meloxicam (Patient 2). Full incorporation of autografts was confirmed with computed tomography (both patients) and arthroscopy (Patient 1 only). Osteochondritis dissecans has been previously reported in snow leopards and these cases represent the first reported use of osteochondral autograft repair and platelet-rich plasma to treat the condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snow leopard, an elusive mammal species of the cat family, is the top-predator of the Central and South Asian, high-altitude ecosystem. Snow leopards occur at low densities across the Central Asian mountains and the Indian Himalayan region. Owing to their secretive nature and inaccessible habitat, little is known about its ecology and distribution. Due to its endangered status and high aesthetic value, the snow leopard is considered as an 'umbrella species' for wildlife conservation in the Indian Himalayas. This article summarizes the current knowledge on snow leopard ecology and conservation issues in the Indian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) have long co-existed with livestock herding people across Asia's high mountains. Multiple use landscapes however imply potential competition for shared resources, livestock predation, and the risk of retaliatory killing of predators. Community-based conservation is a central pillar for supporting people's livelihoods and safeguarding predators and their habitat. Based on the theory of planned behavior, we examined the factors that shape herders' tolerance of snow leopards. Our questionnaire-based study was conducted in the Sanjiangyuan Region, China, encompassing four communities with varying livelihoods, experiences with livestock depredation and levels of exposure to community conservation interventions. Our results showed that respondents generally held positive views towards snow leopards, although women tended to have relatively more negative views towards snow leopards compared with men. Current household income was largely dependent on caterpillar fungus rather than livestock. Social norms around religion and the role of community leaders in our study area seemed to be the main determinants of the generally benign association of people with wildlife, overshadowing potential influences of community-based conservation interventions. Our work suggests that conservations programs will be aided through collaborations with communities and religious institutions, and that conservationists must proactively engage with women as significant actors in conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is well documented in snow leopards ( Uncia uncia) and most common locations are oral, facial, or pedal. These two cases illustrate an unusual auricular presentation, which is more often reported in white domestic cats. The animals were aged and presented clinical signs of otitis such as head shaking and ear scratching. Clinical examinations showed auricular canal masses with chronic purulent otitis. In both cases, clinical deterioration led to euthanasia and histology of the ear canal was consistent with SCC and showed numerous vascular emboli. These cases illustrate an unreported aggressive localization for SCC in snow leopards, which should be included in the differential diagnosis of otitis in this species. Auricular SCC may be underdiagnosed as the ear canal is infrequently sampled for histopathology. This auricular localization should be considered when metastases are found upon necropsy without internal primary tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents several case studies regarding the development of benign gastric neuroendocrine tumors in snow leopards. It informs that an 18-year-old snow leopard was found to have urinary incontinence and arthritis which were treated with anti inflammatory therapy. It also mentions that bacterial myositi has been found in a 15-year-old male snow leopard after postmortem analysis and renal intrapelvic calculi were identified in a 12-yr-old female snow leopard with renal failure.

Summary: Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (SEZ) is a zoonotic pathogen that causes respiratory tract infections in man and animals. SEZ infections are very rare in felids. This report describes purulent meningoventriculitis caused by SEZ in an approximately 16-year-old male snow leopard (Panthera uncia). The animal exhibited neurological signs and died 1 month after their onset. On necropsy examination, the surface blood vessels of the brain were swollen and there was an increased volume and turbidity of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Microscopically, suppurative inflammation accompanied by gram-positive cocci was observed in the meninges and near the ventricles. SEZ was isolated from the brain tissue and CSF. This is the first report of infection with SEZ in a felid other than a domestic cat. This animal had not had direct contact with horses, but it had been fed horse flesh that may have been the source of infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a case study of three snow leopard (Uncia uncia) cubs, female and male siblings and one unrelated female, with lameness due to osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions. The two sibling cubs developed seromas at the incision sites and mild lameness during the post-operative period. It suggests that the study was the first to report OCD cases in nondomestic felids.

The article presents a study on the successive deaths of a serval or Leptailurus serval and a captive snow leopard or Uncia uncia due to infection with feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) at Sapporo Maruyama Zoo in Hokkaido, Japan. The researchers carried out a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test to determine the antigenic type of the isolates, which showed that both isolates possessed an antigenic epitope for mink enteritis virus (MEV) and FPLV. They found that the safety in exotic animals is not confirmed by the attenuated nature of viruses in the vaccines.

Presence of snow leopard (Uncia uncia) in Langtang National Park was obscure till 2003. It was confirmed by a research team trained for the wildlife biology in the field. Along with the study of ecology and behavior of snow leopard sufficient effort were made to generate data on pre species. The study also dealt with threat perceived for the leopard survival while basic unit of conservation- local outreach programs were also initiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Adult stem cells are characterized by the ability to maintain their population through cell division and concomitantly generate specialized somatic cell types through differentiation. Stem cells generated from the adult pancreas proliferate rapidly in vitro and are able to develop into cell types of all three germ layers . Therefore, these cells are suitable for the application in basic research and applied science. In vitro, cells enable the analysis of various scientific subjects under standardized conditions. For instance, they can be applied to establish species specific test systems and diagnosic tools for the assessment of compounds, like pharmaceuticals and xenobiotics, or pathogens. Also, they can be used to investigate how the aforementioned factors act on the cellular level. The detection of specific proteins provides information about the differentiation potential of stem cells and the vitality of the cells. Alterations of these parameters are applicable for the evaluation and analysis of the effect of exogenic factors on cells and the organism. In cooperation with Hagenbecks Tierpark in Hamburg and the zoological gardens in Rostock and Neunkirchen, the Fraunhofer institution for marine biotechnology (EMB) has initiated the establishment of an archive for proliferative cells from wildlife animals. The tissue specimens for the isolation of the cells originate from deceased animals or placental tissue. The archive is continuously growing. Cells from various wildlife animals are added regularly and are permanently stored and cryoconserved. In this study, we report the cultivation and molecular characterisation of adult proliferative cells from a snow leopard (Uncia uncia). The characterization was performed detecting cell type specific and metabolism related proteins by means of immuncytochemistry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A captive hand-reared adult male snow leopard ( Uncia uncia) was treated for anxiety associated with taunting from visitors, the presence of large crowds, and introduction to a female for breeding. Behaviors included shaking, chewing on tail, panting, panicking, and bouncing off the viewing glass, pacing, and avoidance of the female. Combination therapy of oral fluoxetine and alprazolam were administered initially to minimize anxious behaviors while the fluoxetine achieved therapeutic levels. The alprazolam was tapered completely and was only used episodically on two occasions. Although a palatability issue with alprazolam initially prevented consistent dosing, anxious behavior was eliminated and successful breeding behavior was achieved for the first time. After 44 mo of therapy, there have been no anxious behaviors requiring additional medications, two additional breeding behaviors observed, and no evidence of adverse side effects with long-term use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladophialophora bantiana was diagnosed in a 5-month-old snow leopard with spastic paralysis of the hind legs and inability to defaecate or urinate. At post-mortem examination, a greenish soft mass resembling an abscess was found on one side of the epidural space at the fourth lumbar vertebral body. Histological examination revealed a purulent meningitis with myelomalacia. Dematiaceous fungal hyphae, present within the inflammatory infiltrate, were identified as C. bantiana by culture and sequence analysis of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. This neurotropic fungus rarely affects organs other than the brain in human beings and cats, and has been reported only occasionally in Europe. The case described suggests that phaeohyphomycosis due to C. bantiana infection may be recognized more frequently in the future and the possible involvement of organs other than the brain should be borne in mind. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Human-carnivore conflicts often result in reduced tolerance by local communities for long-term carnivore species conservation. Increasing conflicts and inefficient resolutions exacerbate fear for personal safety and loss of property. Effective resolution to mitigate conflict is of top priority for carnivore management and conservation. Understanding human-carnivore conflict patterns in highly affected areas is imperative for designing and implementing effective mitigation measures. We analyzed the current status and patterns of human-carnivore conflicts in Qinghai province based on reported incidents from January 2014 through December 2017. The results show that: (1) a total of 7494 incidents were reported, with $4,030,918 USD paid to victims as compensation over the 4 year period; (2) 27 counties reported incidents, primarily in Zhiduo (n = 4296, 57 %); (3) conflict types consisted of livestock depredation, house break-ins and attacks on humans; (4) all attacks on humans and house break-ins were caused by brown bears, while most livestock depredation was caused by wolves; (5) autumn is the peak season for reports of livestock predation and house break-in incidents, while summer is the peak season for reports of attacks on humans; and (6) conflict areas were primarily found in or adjacent to national parks. We propose various measures and research options to mitigate human-carnivore conflicts with snow leopards, wolves and brown bears, including a wildlife damage compensation program, electric fences, bear spray, diversionary feeding and ceasing small mammal poisoning. If shown to be effective, these measures could be applied to conflict reduction efforts and wildlife conservation planning across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, particularly in regions with high biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]