Snow Leopard Survival Strategy - Panthera

of infection and mortality in African lions. Journal of
Animal Ecology 68:1161-1178.
We present data on the temporal dynamics of six viruses
that infect lions (Panthera lee) in the Serengeti National
Park and Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, These populations
have been studied continuously for the past 30 years, and
previous research has documented their seroprevalence
for feline herpesvirus, feline immunodeficiency virus
(FIV), feline calicivirus, feline parvovirus, feline
coronavirus and canine distemper virus (CDV), A
seventh virus, feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), was absent
from these animals, Comprehensive analysis reveals that
feline herpesvirus and FIV were consistently prevalent
at high levels, indicating that they were endemic in the
host populations. Feline calici-, parvo- and coronavirus,
and CDV repeatedly showed a pattern of seroprevalence
that was indicative of discrete disease epidemics: a brief
period of high exposure for each virus was followed by
declining seroprevalence. The timing of viral invasion
suggests that different epidemic viruses are associated
with different minimum threshold densities of susceptible
hosts, Furthermore, the proportion of susceptibles that
became infected during disease outbreaks was positively
correlated with the number of susceptible hosts at
the beginning of each outbreak. Examination of the
relationship between disease outbreaks and host fitness
suggest that these viruses do not affect birth and death
rates in lions, with the exception of the 1994 outbreak
of canine distemper virus. Although the endemic viruses
(FHV and FIV) were too prevalent to measure precise
health effects, there was no evidence that FIV infection
reduced host longevity.
Palomares, F. and T. M. Caro. 1999. Interspecific
killing among mammalian carnivores. American
Naturalist 153(5):492-508.
Interspecific killing among mammalian carnivores
is common in nature and accounts for up to 68%
of known mortalities in some species. Interactions
may be symmetrical (both species kill each other) or
asymmetrical (one species kills the other), and in some
interactions adults of one species kill young but not adults
of the other. There is a positive significant relationship
between the body masses of solitary killer species and
body masses of their victim species, and grouping species
kill larger victims than solitary species. Interactions and
consumption of the victim appear more common when
food is scarce or disputed. In response to killers, victim
species may alter their use of space, activity patterns,
and form groups. Consequences of interspecific killing
include population reduction or even extinction, and
reduction and enhancement of prey populations, and may
therefore have important implications for conservation
and management of carnivores and their prey.
Patterson, B. D., E. J. Neiburger and S. M. Kasiki.
2003. Tooth breakage and dental disease as causes
of carnivore-human conflicts. Journal of Mammalogy
84(1):190-196.
Large carnivores that become marauders and maneaters
are frequently thought to be old or infirm,
apparently incapable of normal predatory behavior. To
evaluate whether this “infirmity theory” offers a general
explanation for animal–human conflicts, we examined
teeth and jaws of lions (Panthera leo) in museum
collections. Although tooth wear and breakage are
normal in lions, they are rarely accompanied by severe
pathologies. Although the infirmity theory may explain
specific instances of carnivore–human conflict, including
the infamous case of Tsavo’s man-eating lions, most
other conflicts can be linked to alternative explanations,
especially prey depletion in human-dominated areas,
which trigger the opportunity and necessity of exploiting
people or livestock (or both) as prey.
Patterson, D. K. 2002. Evaluating tiger conservation:
what social conditions allow for success in
conservation? Presentation at 2002 Society for
Conservation Biology Annual Meeting, Canterbury, UK.
While tigers receive considerable research attention and
substantial funding is directed toward their conservation,
their populations continue to decline. The results of
preliminary doctoral research are discussed here,
followed by future research plans. To identify possible
causes for this seeming disconnect, a literature review
of social conditions in conservation was conducted,
followed by preliminary evaluations of in situ case
projects in Cambodia. The preliminary evaluation was
conducted through literature review, project document
review, and correspondence with project contacts.
The results of the literature review suggest that there
are four major social conditions involved in effective
conservation: positive government involvement, effective
interagency cooperation, community involvement, and
cultural appropriateness of the conservation methods.
Preliminary evaluation results suggest that the first
three conditions are essential in successful conservation.
Next, extensive field evaluation of the case projects
will allow for verification of and expansion upon these
findings, and will also illuminate the role of culture in
conservation. After these data are analyzed, a written
survey of tiger projects across Asia will be conducted
to determine whether the results are generalizable across
tiger conservation. In the future it is hoped that this
theoretical model will contribute to the success of future
conservation initiatives.
Paul-Murphy, J., T. Work, D. Hunter, E. McFie and
D. Fjelline. 1994. Serologic survey and serum
biochemical reference ranges of the free-ranging
mountain lion (Felis concolor) in California. Journal
of Wildlife Diseases 30:205-215.
Serum samples from 58 mountain lions (Felis concolor)
in California (USA) were collected between April 1987
and February 1990. Nineteen serum samples were used
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