Study

Is trophy hunting of bharal (blue sheep) and Himalayan tahr contributing to their conservation in Nepal?

  • Published source details Aryal A., Dhakal M., Panthi S., Yadav B.P., Shrestha L.B., Bencini R., Raubenheimer D. & Ji W.H. (2015) Is trophy hunting of bharal (blue sheep) and Himalayan tahr contributing to their conservation in Nepal?. Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy (English, 1994-), 26, 85-88.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Incentivise species protection through licensed trophy hunting

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
  1. Incentivise species protection through licensed trophy hunting

    A study in 1990–2011 in forest and grassland in a hunting reserve in Nepal (Aryal et al. 2015) found that following commencement of trophy hunting, populations of bharal Pseudois nayaur increased, though the sex ratio of this species, and of Himalayan tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus, became skewed towards females. Twenty-one years after the establishment of trophy hunting, the estimated bharal population was higher (>1,500 animals) than three years after it was established (approximately 400 animals). The proportion of males to females was lower after 21 years (82:100) than three years after (129:100). A similar pattern was seen for the thar population (21 years after: 62:100; three years after: 214:100). The hunting reserve, covering 1,325 km2, was established in 1987. Trophy hunters, especially from outside Nepal, pay for the right to hunt male bharal and tahr. Females are not hunted. Data were collated from a range of sources, primarily derived from vantage point counts.

    (Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)

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