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Conservation planning in areas prone to human–wildlife interactions requires strong integration between biodiversity protection and other human society needs. Livestock depredation by felids is one of the most reported human–wildlife conflicts in Tibet, reinforced by expanding rangeland and rebounding of wildlife populations. Tibet harbors the richest felid diversity in China; nevertheless, only two protected areas were designated targeting this emblematic group. Here, we combined species distribution modeling and systematic conservation planning approaches to identify priority areas for felid conservation in Tibet. Specifically, we assessed conservation priorities based on three complementary biodiversity indexes (taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic) integrated with livestock density, land use, and human disturbances. Based on the most comprehensive dataset of felid species, we found that large parts of Tibet remain poorly studied and most of the felid populations inhabit unprotected Tibetan lands. In addition, we detected that livestock density is positively related to large-sized felid distributions, reflecting the long-term conflict in this region. Our prioritization analyses identified large priority areas for felid conservation in Tibet. Worrisomely, approximately 76% of them lie outside of existing and planned protected areas, with four noteworthy gaps. The largest extension of these key regions for felid conservation is located in southeastern Tibet close to the border with India, Bhutan, and Nepal, revealing the need for transnational conservation efforts across the Pan-Himalaya region. Our study represents the first attempt of systematic conservation planning for Tibetan felids taking into account the balance between multiple conservation values and competing land use for societal development.

Mineral licks are important components of terrestrial ecosystems that have special value to the maintenance of fluid balance of mammals, by providing them with essential mineral nutrients such as sodium, calcium, and magnesium. In the Anzihe Nature Reserve, southwest China, seven species of ungulates and one species of primates were frequently observed visiting the mineral licks in high densities. As a consequence, mineral licks have attracted illegal hunters and facilitated the spread of parasites and diseases, leading to a depletion of local populations. Therefore, we suggest that regions with abundant mineral licks should be designated as key protected areas in the Anzihe Nature Reserve and relevant zones for animal health surveillance.